MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - Tens of thousands of travelers scheduled to fly out of Miami International Airport on Monday are being advised to head there earlier than usual, as officials expect a record-breaking number of passengers.
Due to increased vehicle traffic at the airport on the day after Super Bowl 54, the airport required all ride share drivers to drop off passengers at the nearby MIA Rental Car Center, located at 3900 NW 25th St. in Northwest Miami-Dade, between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m.
From there, guests were able to take the MIA Mover to the MIA Station, located on the airport’s third level, between the Dolphin and Flamingo garages. The station is connected by moving walkways to all sections of the terminal building.
“I had no clue until I hopped into the Uber,” said Sebastian Kempa, who was traveling to Tallahassee. “I actually need to figure out how to get to the normal gate now.”
“When we got picked up, there was a little sign inside the Uber car that said we were going to be dropped off at a different place,” said Sheryl Beard, who was traveling to Wichita.
Make sure @TSA doesn’t call a foul on you when going through the checkpoint. Keep your #SBLIV 🏈 program in your carry-on luggage and then place it in its own bin at the checkpoint. #BigDay2020
👉: https://t.co/VZg9WuFxcN pic.twitter.com/k02MzItBZP— Miami Int'l Airport (@iflymia) February 3, 2020
MIA also added extra TSA PreCheck lines, and so far, travelers have said their experiences and trips to the airport have been smooth.
“Not bad driving on the highways and stuff getting here,” said one passenger.
“Wasn’t bad, took my Uber about 20 minutes, maybe,” said passenger Travis Miller.
Officials said more than 90,000 passengers are expected to board departing flights out of MIA on Monday, which would be a single-day record.
“That’s a lot of people. I’m glad I have TSA PreChecking,” said Beard.
The programs from the big game have some materials in them that may alert the TSA screening machines, so airport officials are warning travelers to keep them in their carry-on luggage and to take them out when going through security checkpoints.
Airport officials also advise hotel guests to check out five hours before their departure flight, and anyone requesting an Uber or Lyft pickup to do so four hours before their scheduled departure time.
Are you traveling after #SBLIV? Ride the Orange line to Miami Airport station and save time. Our friends at @iflymia are expecting over 90,000 visitors to pass through our airport tomorrow. Follow @iflymia for #SuperBowl travel tips. #GoMiamiDade
— Miami-Dade DTPW (@GoMiamiDade) February 2, 2020
A lot of Kansas City Chiefs fans were seen sporting their gear, going back home feeling pretty super after the team’s Super Bowl victory.
“Just to get to be one of 65,000 people to experience it live was great,” said Miller.
“That was amazing. It was an amazing game,” said another Chiefs fan. “We went to two games this year, the home opener and this one, and they won both of them.”
American Airlines provided self-service baggage check-in kiosks at the RCC on Monday.
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