Need some help here.......

Need some advice......leaving early from NYC or afternoon departure? Last time my wife and I were there we left early for the airport w/o any traffic problems checked our baggage w/o a line, and it was a smooth hassle free morning. As we waited for the airport to open we noticed how fast it got crowded.

OK the problem is that we are now traveling with another couple that doesn%26#39;t want to fly separately and doesn%26#39;t want to get up early. My wife and I would rather avoid the hassle and get out, but they don%26#39;t seem to believe us. Can anyone here help support my effort so that they want think I%26#39;m crazy. They have never been to a busy city/airport let alone NYC/LGA.

Need some help here.......

Take two separate taxis - you go first as early as you want, and they can go later whenever they want. Meet them at the gate and see who wins!

Loser buys drinks!

XoP``````

Need some help here.......

I%26#39;m not sure I understand the prob/question. Is it about how much time to leave to get to the airport or which return flight to book, an early morning or afternoon? If the first, QB%26#39;s solution is perfect. But I think it%26#39;s the second, which return flight to book. I hate to say it, but this could be the first of many disagreements. Sort it out before the trip. If they%26#39;re not morning people and you guys are, you%26#39;re gonna have a problem on the trip every day.

If leaving from Times Square what time should a person leave to make a 11:00am flight? My wife and I have always left early say 4:15am to 4:30am to make for a 6:00am flight.

The problem with an 11:00 AM flight is that if you want to get there two hours before the flight leaves (as they always recommend), you are trying to get there for 9:00 AM -- which means you will be travelling at the height of rush hour. A better question might be %26#39;what time do you want to arrive at the airport?%26#39;, and then take it from there.

If you need to get to LGA at 9 AM, leave Times Square 8 AM. True it%26#39;s rush hour, but you%26#39;ll be going against the traffic. The worst part will be getting out of Manhattan.

I think the best route to LGA is the Midtown Tunnel. You can take the Midtown tunnel to the Long Island Expwy, and change to Rte 278 E(Brooklyn-Queens-Expwy) which branches off into the Grand Central Parkway to LGA.

Use a AAA map or check the new beta of Yahoo Maps for better directions.

http://maps.yahoo.com/beta/index.php#

I am LOVING this beta!

Smoke...

I think my fellow locals have got the problem boxed for you.

Are you leaving town on a weekend? This%26#39;ll matter. Early in the morning, or on a weekend I get to LaGuardia in 17-18 minutes from the Upper West Side. You%26#39;ll be by the QMTunnel, and it shouldn%26#39;t take much longer.....if it%26#39;s before the evening rush. Most frustrating part of your trip will be getting across town.

I agree with whomever it was that suggested you%26#39;d better examine how squabbles will be resolved with your fellow travellers, or you%26#39;re in for a rocky road.

Travel safely,

Joe in NYC