In a travel strategy that’s raising eyebrows, Lara Trump, host of "My View with Lara Trump," has shared her unconventional approach to airport arrivals, aiming to spend as little time as possible waiting at the gate.
According to Fox News, Lara Trump’s method involves timing her airport arrival to coincide with her boarding zone being called, sparking a range of reactions from social media users and highlighting diverse travel preferences.
As a busy host and public figure, Lara Trump developed this approach during the campaign season to maximize her packed schedule. She sought to fit more into each day while traveling swiftly with family and staff. Her goal is clear: avoid lingering at the gate and make every minute count.
"My goal is to make it to the gate right as they're calling my zone to board the airplane, because I don't want to waste a single minute," Lara Trump said. She emphasized her aversion to idle time, stating, "If I sit down at all at any point when I'm in an airport — the mission has failed." Her strategy is meticulously planned, relying on efficiency at every step of the travel process.
To execute her plan, Lara Trump relies heavily on technology for real-time updates. "I have all the apps for the airlines on my phone, so if there is a delay of any variety, it usually alerts you — which is very helpful," she explained. She also searches flight numbers online to gather data on plane origins, delay patterns, and backup flight options.
Delays are inevitable, and when they occur, Lara Trump uses the extra time to stay active. She paces through the airport to rack up steps, maintaining her energy even during setbacks. Now traveling with Secret Service agents, she noted, "[They] have to keep up with [me] everywhere [I go], but they [all get] a lot of steps in."
Security checkpoints remain a hurdle, even with her streamlined approach. "Going through security is tough. There's no doubt about it, especially when there's a long line," she admitted. However, using CLEAR, a service that expedites security, helps her bypass certain hassles like shoe removal, a requirement lifted by the TSA nationwide in July.
Lara Trump isn’t a fan of automated bin systems at airports like LaGuardia and Atlanta. "I feel like having this robot doing it for you actually adds more time," she said. She added, "I would be in favor of eradicating those. Let's go back to human beings actually doing it."
Her approach isn’t without personal friction, as she sometimes clashes with her husband, Eric Trump, over departure timing. "[We] disagree on this whole tactic and technique in terms of what time we should leave our house or wherever we are in order to make it to the airport," she shared. She acknowledges her method isn’t universal, often causing unease for some companions.
"I’ve traveled with some people who get a little stressed out over that," Lara Trump noted. Her focus remains on minimizing airport time, especially when traveling solo. "[When traveling solo, I try] not spending an extra minute or two or 10 or more hours in an airport," she said.
After posting a clip of her travel philosophy on social media, reactions poured in from followers. Some embraced her idea, with one user commenting, "I like to get to the gate as my boarding group is called, walk on and buckle up." Another Instagram user added, "I'm sick of getting there 1.5 hours before. I'll try this next time, maybe."
However, not everyone agrees with her last-minute arrivals. One social media user countered, "I would die waiting until the last minute to get to the gate." The same user insisted, "I am arriving two hours before." Others take a more cautious approach, prioritizing ample buffer time. One commenter revealed, "We are the airport four hours early." These varied responses underline the diversity in travel habits among passengers.
Official recommendations from the TSA advise arriving two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones. In contrast, Lara Trump’s method challenges this norm, focusing on precision timing. Her strategy reflects a personal drive to optimize every moment, even amidst travel uncertainties. Delays remain a common frustration for many travelers beyond individual tactics. A 2024 study by Upgraded Points found passengers lose an average of 29 minutes per trip due to delays, split between departure waits and runway holdups. This statistic highlights why some, like Lara Trump, seek ways to reclaim lost time.
Ultimately, Lara Trump’s travel philosophy is a personal choice shaped by her lifestyle. While it sparks debate, it also sheds light on broader conversations about travel efficiency. Whether her method gains traction or remains niche, it underscores the varied ways people navigate airports.