In CLT, it takes about 30 minutes from the time that you pull into the employee lot until you get to the airplane. You have to wait for the employee bus, and then go through the proper security areas, and then walk the one mile walk of shame to the "E" gates (also knows as the slums/ghetto).

Personally, I plan on arriving at the employee lot 45 minutes before my show time. There is no sense in being late. That is one less thing to worry about.

There are so many reasons to get in trouble at an airline, one might as well rule out the ones that are under their control. Being on time is the easiest one.