The person who suggested you stay at a hotel airport was spot-on. For any flight that requires me to get up before 5 in the morning, I'd just suck it up and spend the money for a sleep-over on site.

BTW, make sure your registered for your airlines text updates as the last thing you need is to get there and find you will be delayed or cancelled flight.

Recommend getting a hotel room night before your flight. I stayed at the Hyatt in the airport for an 8:20am flight. In the lobby at 5:3am & nearly missed our flight!

Early Flight
 

When we have that early of a flight, we always stay overnight at a close hotel. That takes the unknown traffic situation out of the equation. 2 hours is the usual amount of time I give it from check-in to gate.

Please check in at the airport when it tells you to on your ticket information. You ARE NOT guaranteed to get on your flight unless you are at the airport at the recommended time. For domestic it is usually 2 hours ahead, international is usually 3 hours ahead.

Most airlines overbook, this is how people get bumped. Also, airlines and airports have the right to take off early of they have the time to do so.

I used to be a flight attendant and I can't tell you how many people are bumped from their flights because they arrive later than they were advised.

Forget GROOME. Go with VIP transportation and pay the difference. Well worth it!!!

Hyatt
 

We did this once for an early flight. There was a fatal accident on the access road in the night and the road was closed for hours. The peace of mind was well worth the price.

These issues is why I spent the extra half hour driving to TPA instead of MCO. TPA is always quiet and quick.

4am

The earliest Groome trip gets you to MCO around 4:00AM. This is a bit close with not much room for error. If you absolutely have to be on that flight, I would consider other options. I typically leave for MCO 4 hours before my flight so I will normally get there 3 hours before my flight.

Agree, we have TSA and 2 hours is plenty of time. The last couple times flying I have noticed the special lines for people with Clear. What is Clear and how does it differ from TSA? Our TSA is up for renewal shortly and I’d like to make an informed decision as to which option best fits our needs?

I have wondered about that. If you check in on-line, the airlines won't know you are actually at the airport until you board, unless TSA shares information with the airlines as to who has cleared security, which I don't believe they do. If you check baggage then that is a different story.

From TV to MCO hour and half. Possible traffic jams. There are different routes. You can get off and on. I’m from Orlando. Map routes . Always get there two hours before my flight time.

I stay at the Hyatt at the airport for 6am or earlier flights. Yeah, it costs a few bucks but well worth the peace of mind. You relax much better when you KNOW that you won't have any problems getting to your flight on time.
Being stopped for hours on the turnpike can be brutal. Been there - done that. Be good to yourself .... stay at the Hyatt.

If you ever leave the country, sign up for Global Entry as it included TSA Pre-Check.