time to allow for travel and check in

I'm staying downtown and plan on riding the WAX bus to and from the airport.
My return flight leaves at 12:20 PM..
How much time should I allow to ride the bus, check my bag and go through security ?
Also, flying SW I used the early bird check in so my boarding pass will be ready when I get to the airport.
When I check my bag will they also print my boarding pass ?
Thanks

 

We arrive at the airport two hours before our flight, so check the WAX schedule. The WAX takes about 35-40 min to the airport. That might seem early to some, but we like having a drink, or two, in the airport before boarding.

On SWA, when we left in June, they made everybody check-in at the kiosks along the windows at McCarren, before we could get in the SWA line. Once in line, then you scanned the boarding pass that was just issued at the kiosk and went through the how many bags are you checking routine. Then they called us up to the counter to slap the luggage tag on. Our hotel (MSS) doesn't print boarding passes for free, I know Four Queens will print and also do the 24 hr check-in for free.

 

If you have a smart phone or laptop, just be sure to check-in 24 hours prior to your departure time. I then drop off my luggage with the sky caps outside and have them print my boarding pass as I'm already checked in and drop them a buck or two in the tip jar.