Overnight in Anchorage ideas

[mobilefamily]

My partner and I, both Alaska hunting rookies, arrive in Anchorage Friday, September 11th at 11:22PM.

We depart Anchorage for Bethel Saturday, September 12th at 7AM.

With such a short turnaround, I imagined that we would just sleep in the airport. It now occurs to me that the ticket counter might not be open for us to check our bags for Bethel as soon as we get into Anchorage. That means we won't be able to go through Security (because we'll have our guns) and crash at the terminal gate.

I'm looking for guidance on how others have handled similar situations. Does the airport permit you to lay down with all your gear in the ticketing area overnight? I would prefer not to deal with getting a cab and a hotel for just a few hours.

Thanks. We've learned a lot by lurking here and are grateful to all who have shared their stories.

 

[wyosteve]

I was there last July and there were folks 'camped' in the ticketing area. I don't think you'll have a problem, but a call to the airport might be the best way to confirm.

 

[TEmbry]

Flying Alaska Air to Bethel? I can't imagine you not being able to check your bags upon arrival. ANC is a decent sized airport.

 

[mobilefamily]

Thanks TEmbry. The Alaska Airlines website says the ticket counter is open 24/7. I'm hoping someone will chime in and confirm that.

 

[mmw194287]

I've spent several nights camping out with rods, guns, and duffels in the baggage claim/ticketing area/various quiet corridors around the airport. Never had any problems or issues.

 

[bourbon]

I've also seen folks "camped" at Ted Stevens International, but that was before the remodel. Guess you still could, but I don't recall seeing areas that looked as accommodating now.

If you can check your guns and bags and take a cab into town. Moose Tooth pizza is pretty good and the Alaskan Bush Company is a good way to burn some time.

 

[dieNqvrs]

I worked in and around Ted Stevens ANC for the last few years.

You arrive at 11:22 pm from another airline down south? If so you will be in security already, no reason to leave, just flop out on a chair or in a corner next to your AK air BET gate. People are sleeping inside security and outside security all the time. AK air checkin and TSA are open all night (lots of red-eyes depart ANC) if you want to go out of security for some reason.

At your original departure destination make sure to have you bags checked/tagged all the way to BET. Then you don't have to deal with them at all in ANC and simply pick them up off the baggage slide in BET(and vise versa on return). Even if you switch airlines, they all interline checked bags to final destination. Just show your original checkin counter person your whole itinerary if in separate reservations and they will make it happen.

Good luck on you adventure.

 

[mobilefamily]

Great advice from all. Thank you very much. We are on Alaska Airlines coming up from the lower 48 as well.

 

[waterrat]

All good advise here,, if it were me I'd ck my bags and go to the Bush Company though!