Reading Time: 3 minIf you’re flying into a smaller regional airport, chances are high that the rental car lots are on airport property. In other words, you might not need a shuttle to find your vehicle.
If so, there’s a simple trick to saving somewhere between 10 minutes and an hour — enough to make a big difference in the enjoyment of your trip.
I recently flew into New Haven, Connecticut, home to Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN). It’s a tiny airport with only three gates and two rental car operators. However, Avelo Airlines has greatly expanded its presence here. With 26 destinations from HVN, it’s now the airline’s largest operating base.
When I landed and made my way to baggage claim, I realized what was about to happen if I didn’t move quickly. 100+ people were about to completely overwhelm the two rental car counters, and each carrier only had one person working the counter.
As the majority zigged, I zagged. While most folks hung around at the baggage carousel waiting for their luggage, I reckoned that it would take at least 20 minutes for the bags to arrive based on my experience over the years. Instead of twiddling my thumbs, I made a gametime decision to head first to the rental car counter, then double back to the luggage carousel.
The move proved helpful. I was third in line, and I had the keys to a Honda CR-V within 10 minutes. As I turned around to grab my checked bag, there were several dozen people queued up, snaking around the tiny confines of the airport. Yes, they all had their bags, but they also had a significant wait ahead of them.
Meanwhile, my bag was circling around the carousel, waiting to be collected. I grabbed it, proceeded outside to the lot, and made a beeline to the Shore Line Trolley Museum. My son and I were exploring Connecticut’s rich rail history, and the quick work at the airport allowed us to sneak in a visit to this museum before our scheduled Essex Steam Train ride later that afternoon. Had we made the mistake of getting our bags before the rental car, it’s likely we wouldn’t have had time for one of the most memorable stops of our father/son adventure.
Next time you’re collecting a checked bag at an airport, keep in mind that it’ll probably be 20 minutes before your luggage makes an appearance. You can utilize that margin to your advantage, whether it’s to use the restroom, grab a bite to eat, do a bit of work, or — in my case — secure your rental car keys before dozens of others.
