Some reviews from yelp about MCO that echo my statements. Only posting these to prove I am not seeing things or. crazy
"The TSA lines are usually always long in length. Allow for 20-30 minutes to go through that process. The TSA staff work the lines well, regularly reminding people about liquids, taking out the laptops, emptying the pockets of keys, adults taking off the shoes and *if you are a child to keep your shoes on*. Since there are a lot of international travelers flying, there is a lot of passport checking- so allow for some time."
"Great airport ... horrible security procedures and a bit of a confusing layout for a first time traveler."
"No surprise in Orlando, but a great disproportion of vacationers and especially families with kids. This in and of itself is not a problem but there is no priority line for frequent flies or first class travelers. There is an "experienced traveler" line, but as there is no real enforcement via a ticket type or frequent flyer status, its just as crowded as any other line.
On departures, to be safe in catching a scheduled flight, one needs to give this airport more time than others as you have to navigate all the hoards of vacationers to make your flight. Gets worse at peak tourist travel times - Sunday afternoons is their rush hour."
"That's it, I've made up my mind, I hate Florida airports. I hate everything about Orlando International. I haven't written a review in quite a while, but I logged-in to the airport wi-fi just to review this place before my hatred seeped away.
This place is a f-in ZOO. There are a bajillion people here, and this airport was not built to accommodate them. I literally have not experienced lines like this, both at check-in and security, since a flight to Japan I took in 2004."
"We've had mixed experiences over the years at this airport and do not count it among our favorites. Arrivals are ok; departures can be a challenge if you don't leave enough time to make it through security. Keep that in mind and time your departure appropriately."
"The security pass was heinous. If you are in a short line that isn't moving, get in the longer line that is moving. This way you won't get stuck staring at disgusting body scans for a half hour."
"Cons -
* It probably has one of the worst security lines I've ever been through. You would think for the amount of traffic that goes through this airport daily...they would open more than 3 security lines at a time.
* No expert traveler lane at security, YET they usually have a family line. It doesn't matter...they are all slow."
"The scenario: Two TSA workers checking ID's for about four lines on either side of them; standard but grossly understaffed for a major airport checking ID's for 70+ gates on a holiday. After they check your ID the lines get funneled into one mass to the right or left. If you are in a wheelchair somehow you wind up in your line - which when there is no one in line, they will not pull people out of the cattle call to move people along.
So there you stand: cutting people off or letting people go in front - families, old peeps, first time fliers, dip tourists and the general menagerie that makes up America. All to go into ONE security checkpoint.
It was a slow moving debacle. Granted once you actually got up to the conveyor belt they were waving people through the metal detectors; but what a questionable security mess."
"For any outbound flight, get here EARLY! Out of all the airports I've gone through, this airport has the longest security lines. Give yourself at least an hour and a half, even for national flights."
"Anyhow, the TSA line at MCO is ridiculous due to the multitude of crazy families who have just completed a stress filled "vacation" (a.k.a. stress-o-cation). Black, blue, green line... it doesn't matter because all of them are full and all of them lead you into the void of screaming children everywhere."
"The TSA line should have it's own Yelp review page as we could definitely improve the overall rating of MCO by splitting the TSA from the operation of the airport itself.
Okay, the 800lb gorilla in the room....The security lines. Central Florida is where I was raised and where I return to so I may visit family. I fly to MCO everytime. The lines are just absolutely ridiculous. Last I flew out of there, the lines were well past the middle of the great hall separating the A and B terminals. I could go on and on, ranting about this. But previous reviewers have already done so."
"One problem is that the security lines are usually really long and are filled with tourists! And everyone knows that Disney tourists are always hauling ten kids, eight strollers and twenty-five pieces of luggage with them. So, this adds to the chaos in the security line. I think the best solution is to have Disney people go through one security line and everyone else go through another. Woohoo problem solved. I will let TSA know whats up!"
"Cons: security sucks major a$$. Slower than molasses lines that are not well set up. You would think with the amount of family traffic that comes through this airport that they would know how to handle... uhm... families. But, nope. For seasoned travelers, it is painful (and plan more time)."
