Apr 12, 2016, 7:36 pm
Last edit by: dayone
Port of Seattle map of security checkpoints.
DL thread on the issue:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...times-sea.html
DL thread on the issue:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...times-sea.html
AS says to arrive early at SEA
Mar 21, 2016, 6:45 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 5
Flew out of SEA earlier this month. Precheck line, not sure which checkpoint (3?), was about 30 people deep but moved quickly. General screening lines were STUFFED to the gills and the security screening area was FROZEN. Not sure if it was a staff change or what but seriously, the screening area was deserted but there were hundreds of pax waiting to go through, even the guys scanning the IDs were looking around. Anyone have any idea what was going on?
Made me very happy to have pre. Even if I don't travel much its still nice not to have to deal with the crazy scenarios I observed.
Made me very happy to have pre. Even if I don't travel much its still nice not to have to deal with the crazy scenarios I observed.
Mar 21, 2016, 7:22 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sunny Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 539
That's weird. I've taken dozens of flights in the last year after 1:30 p.m. at Checkpoint 5. Way after. Both of my flights just last month that were after 1:30 p.m. I went through Checkpoint 5 ... In fact, I don't think I've ever seen 5 closed before.
Meanwhile, Checkpoint 4 regularly closes down at seemingly-random times where there isn't enough traffic to fill it. Seems like it's blocked out certain hours of the day ... not an all-day checkpoint.
Meanwhile, Checkpoint 4 regularly closes down at seemingly-random times where there isn't enough traffic to fill it. Seems like it's blocked out certain hours of the day ... not an all-day checkpoint.
#3 - open including PreCheck
#4 - closed
#5 - open, but no PreCheck
All lines were short. I estimate regular screening would've been under 10 minutes.
5 definitely closes later in the evening, by 9 or 10; I've walked past it many a time coming in from those "parking out-of-the-way overnight" arrivals at the far end of D.
Mar 21, 2016, 10:18 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MM, MVPGold100k, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,475
When SEA is busy, I always go to checkpoint 3 now even if my flight departs out of N, it just goes so much faster through 3 than 5 in my experiences. I have seen the line for checkpoint 5 extend into the line for checkpoint 4, and I have seen the line for checkpoint 3 extend well beyond Southwest ticket agents.
Mar 22, 2016, 5:17 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Plat, AS MVPG, Bonvoy Plat/LT Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,263
5 won't be an option. According to the Port of Seattle, these are the general checkpoint hours of operation:
#1 - Fri., Sat., & Sun, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (for cruise passengers only)
#2 - 4:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
#3 - 24 hours
#4 - 4:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
#5 - 4:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
No references I've ever found for Pre-specific hours, but for an 8:30p flight, I'd head straight for 3 just in case they start winding down at 4 a little early.
#1 - Fri., Sat., & Sun, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (for cruise passengers only)
#2 - 4:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
#3 - 24 hours
#4 - 4:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
#5 - 4:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
No references I've ever found for Pre-specific hours, but for an 8:30p flight, I'd head straight for 3 just in case they start winding down at 4 a little early.
Mar 22, 2016, 8:03 am
#36
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,455
Two weeks ago, I went thru on a Thursday afternoon. Lines were long and I ended up at Checkpoint 2 as the best option. The General Screening line was long but only a few in the Premium line.
The problem was with the baggage screening, as suggested by that article. The guy working the machine was new and was clearly NOT "getting it". Every bag was a 2+ minute ordeal of staring at the screen and getting help from someone (or two people) to interpret it. Eventually the supervisor came over to relieve him. I'd guess it was 5 passengers thru in 20 minutes on that line.
Then last week, same scenario, evening flight, Checkpoint 2 was clearly shortest - no one in the Premium line at all. But that SAME GUY was working the baggage x-ray. He was a bit faster this time, averaging a minute or two per bag, but that was clearly what was slowing down the line.
I've been booking late evening flights to add an extra hour or two of buffer time to deal with this because of how bad it could get.
The problem was with the baggage screening, as suggested by that article. The guy working the machine was new and was clearly NOT "getting it". Every bag was a 2+ minute ordeal of staring at the screen and getting help from someone (or two people) to interpret it. Eventually the supervisor came over to relieve him. I'd guess it was 5 passengers thru in 20 minutes on that line.
Then last week, same scenario, evening flight, Checkpoint 2 was clearly shortest - no one in the Premium line at all. But that SAME GUY was working the baggage x-ray. He was a bit faster this time, averaging a minute or two per bag, but that was clearly what was slowing down the line.
I've been booking late evening flights to add an extra hour or two of buffer time to deal with this because of how bad it could get.
Mar 22, 2016, 9:20 am
#37
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 2,072
I heeded everyone's advice and was here before 7. Got through checkpoint 5 in 5 minutes.
BTW, the signage is poor. There's a "General Screening" sign along the wall, next to the ATM/restrooms, which actually leads you to the crew entrance. TSA agent yelled at me when I went through the rope to enter back into the regular lane, and refused to understand how they have an invalid sign. I even pointed out other travelers who were also over there a minute later!
Once I got to the belt, they were saying that we were in "pre-check"... which is strange, as there was no signage for pre-check, nor did I even have it on my BP. I got to keep my shoes on and leave my laptop in my bag, but it seems odd... I would have expected them to cancel all pre-checks today of all days, not be giving it to everyone!
BTW, the signage is poor. There's a "General Screening" sign along the wall, next to the ATM/restrooms, which actually leads you to the crew entrance. TSA agent yelled at me when I went through the rope to enter back into the regular lane, and refused to understand how they have an invalid sign. I even pointed out other travelers who were also over there a minute later!
Once I got to the belt, they were saying that we were in "pre-check"... which is strange, as there was no signage for pre-check, nor did I even have it on my BP. I got to keep my shoes on and leave my laptop in my bag, but it seems odd... I would have expected them to cancel all pre-checks today of all days, not be giving it to everyone!
Mar 22, 2016, 9:21 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
This weekend should be busy!
It looks like every flight from SEA-PDX after 9am this weekend is sold out....really? Should make for a busy airport in SEA!
Mar 22, 2016, 9:33 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
Two weeks ago, I went thru on a Thursday afternoon. Lines were long and I ended up at Checkpoint 2 as the best option. The General Screening line was long but only a few in the Premium line.
The problem was with the baggage screening, as suggested by that article. The guy working the machine was new and was clearly NOT "getting it". Every bag was a 2+ minute ordeal of staring at the screen and getting help from someone (or two people) to interpret it. Eventually the supervisor came over to relieve him. I'd guess it was 5 passengers thru in 20 minutes on that line...
The problem was with the baggage screening, as suggested by that article. The guy working the machine was new and was clearly NOT "getting it". Every bag was a 2+ minute ordeal of staring at the screen and getting help from someone (or two people) to interpret it. Eventually the supervisor came over to relieve him. I'd guess it was 5 passengers thru in 20 minutes on that line...
Mar 22, 2016, 12:39 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Gold; AS MVP Gold
Posts: 145
I heeded everyone's advice and was here before 7. Got through checkpoint 5 in 5 minutes.
BTW, the signage is poor. There's a "General Screening" sign along the wall, next to the ATM/restrooms, which actually leads you to the crew entrance. TSA agent yelled at me when I went through the rope to enter back into the regular lane, and refused to understand how they have an invalid sign. I even pointed out other travelers who were also over there a minute later!
Once I got to the belt, they were saying that we were in "pre-check"... which is strange, as there was no signage for pre-check, nor did I even have it on my BP. I got to keep my shoes on and leave my laptop in my bag, but it seems odd... I would have expected them to cancel all pre-checks today of all days, not be giving it to everyone!
BTW, the signage is poor. There's a "General Screening" sign along the wall, next to the ATM/restrooms, which actually leads you to the crew entrance. TSA agent yelled at me when I went through the rope to enter back into the regular lane, and refused to understand how they have an invalid sign. I even pointed out other travelers who were also over there a minute later!
Once I got to the belt, they were saying that we were in "pre-check"... which is strange, as there was no signage for pre-check, nor did I even have it on my BP. I got to keep my shoes on and leave my laptop in my bag, but it seems odd... I would have expected them to cancel all pre-checks today of all days, not be giving it to everyone!
I've also experienced the oddity of TSA pushing non-PreCheck people over into the PreCheck area after the ID check podium. If you're in the far left lane of the standard security line, they'll often funnel you to the left after the podium to where the PreCheck passengers go.
It's quite annoying to those of us who started in the PreCheck lane because the standard screening pax don't know what to do here, and are sitting there expecting to take everything off, take liquids out and are looking for bins to put their things in. Perhaps the TSA should just keep things flowing properly in the correct lines for the simplicity of all pax?
Mar 22, 2016, 2:35 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Sunday night they were putting what seemed to be almost every other Pre Check person through a scatter machine "at random"? Luckily, I was okay, and the P C line moved fast; regular lines looked on the brutal side.
Mar 22, 2016, 2:44 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,642
. i expect with recent activities in BRU, it's going to get worse before it gets better. should make for an awesome summer travel season.
Mar 22, 2016, 7:37 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
Mar 23, 2016, 1:40 am
#44
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 2,400
Seems most people are having better luck with checkpoint 5 than I have. I have missed flights twice because of them randomly closing this checkpoint while people are in line. The first time I was almost to the TSA agent, when suddenly they just closed all the doors and told us they would not reopen for 20 minutes.
I don't even look at this checkpoint anymore, I automatically go to #3. With #5 you also cannot see how many people are crammed into the screening area, because of that loooong hallway on the right. It might look like the line is short, but that is a long, slow moving line along the right wall.
I don't even look at this checkpoint anymore, I automatically go to #3. With #5 you also cannot see how many people are crammed into the screening area, because of that loooong hallway on the right. It might look like the line is short, but that is a long, slow moving line along the right wall.
Apr 4, 2016, 6:06 am
#45
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, BA Executive Blue, IHG Platinum Elite,Kimpton.
Posts: 739
Just went through checkpoint 5. It was closed when we arrived, TSA were setting up, so had about a 5 minute wait until they opened up, but then through in about 5 minutes.
Line at Starbucks C gate is crazy though
Line at Starbucks C gate is crazy though