Question about AA / TSA at SFO
Aug 14, 2010, 12:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Boston area
Programs: Primary: AA & Marriott; Also Hilton, JetBlue and United
Posts: 313
Question about AA / TSA at SFO
I guess I should know this already, but I don't. Did a search and couldn't find what I was looking for. If you know where this is previously asked and answered, all search help is appreciated.
Flying Monday morning to DFW. I'm in F and my mother and her boyfriend are on the same flight in Y. Clearly I can use the F security lane, but if my mother and her boyfriend are traveling with me, can they go through the F security lane too, so long as they're with me?
They are on a different PNR than me.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Flying Monday morning to DFW. I'm in F and my mother and her boyfriend are on the same flight in Y. Clearly I can use the F security lane, but if my mother and her boyfriend are traveling with me, can they go through the F security lane too, so long as they're with me?
They are on a different PNR than me.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Aug 14, 2010, 12:42 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP/Admiral's Club; Amex Platinum; AA Citi Executive; SPG Gold
Posts: 696
I guess I should know this already, but I don't. Did a search and couldn't find what I was looking for. If you know where this is previously asked and answered, all search help is appreciated.
Flying Monday morning to DFW. I'm in F and my mother and her boyfriend are on the same flight in Y. Clearly I can use the F security lane, but if my mother and her boyfriend are traveling with me, can they go through the F security lane too, so long as they're with me?
They are on a different PNR than me.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Flying Monday morning to DFW. I'm in F and my mother and her boyfriend are on the same flight in Y. Clearly I can use the F security lane, but if my mother and her boyfriend are traveling with me, can they go through the F security lane too, so long as they're with me?
They are on a different PNR than me.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Aug 14, 2010, 12:44 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I guess I should know this already, but I don't. Did a search and couldn't find what I was looking for. If you know where this is previously asked and answered, all search help is appreciated.
Flying Monday morning to DFW. I'm in F and my mother and her boyfriend are on the same flight in Y. Clearly I can use the F security lane, but if my mother and her boyfriend are traveling with me, can they go through the F security lane too, so long as they're with me?
They are on a different PNR than me.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Flying Monday morning to DFW. I'm in F and my mother and her boyfriend are on the same flight in Y. Clearly I can use the F security lane, but if my mother and her boyfriend are traveling with me, can they go through the F security lane too, so long as they're with me?
They are on a different PNR than me.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Aug 14, 2010, 1:49 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
I would just say "These two are with me" and I'm sure they will let them through.
Aug 14, 2010, 7:10 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,593
You shouldn't have a problem using the Priority AAccess line. Agree that SFO security is usually pretty quick, although not as quick as it used to be now that AC has started using the AA pier of gates. At 6:05a this past Tuesday morning, there was a line back to the doors just to enter the non-Priority lane.
Aug 14, 2010, 7:49 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HKG/YVR/NYC
Programs: AC 75K, A3*G, AS MVPG, AA LT Gold 1MM, JL/JGC (OWS) , Marriott Titanium, Hertz 5*, Avis PC
Posts: 3,697
You shouldn't have a problem using the Priority AAccess line. Agree that SFO security is usually pretty quick, although not as quick as it used to be now that AC has started using the AA pier of gates. At 6:05a this past Tuesday morning, there was a line back to the doors just to enter the non-Priority lane.
It's still a 1000 times better then the UA side
but ya just say your mother and her boyfriend are travelling with you and you should be fine. The easiest way is to group all 3 bp together for the Priority Access checker and put your PA bp on top.
Aug 14, 2010, 8:12 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Aug 14, 2010, 8:25 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NorCal
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott GLD, HH PLT, Hertz 5*
Posts: 766
Put all three BPs together with yours on top and just flash yours to the non-TSA security guy who secures (sic) the Priority Access lane.
BM
BM
Aug 14, 2010, 9:01 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP, 2mm; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 325
To be clear, it's the person standing in front of the PriorityAAccess security line that guards entry to the line. They usually wear a maroon colored uniform. The person at the front of the line wearing the blue colored TSA uniform that checks your ID does not care what class of service pax are in.
I've never handed my bp over to the PriorityAAccess guard. Just quickly show them yours and say "the two people behind me are with me."
I've never handed my bp over to the PriorityAAccess guard. Just quickly show them yours and say "the two people behind me are with me."
Aug 14, 2010, 9:09 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
I've often used the regular line, because there are more open scanners there... you should look over at the line and how fast it's moving before deciding to go thru the Priority Access security line.
Aug 14, 2010, 9:33 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Boston area
Programs: Primary: AA & Marriott; Also Hilton, JetBlue and United
Posts: 313
Thanks for all the feedback. I fly through the SFO Priority Access lane a few times per month, but never with other passengers. They're not elites, so this will make our trip through security a little easier.
I figured this would be the case, but you all have confirmed I likely have nothing to worry about.
Thanks to all!
I figured this would be the case, but you all have confirmed I likely have nothing to worry about.
Thanks to all!
Aug 14, 2010, 9:59 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: duh
Programs: AA, UA, HH, *wood
Posts: 605
just curious
Are you also planning to board the plane with them? I don't see why not, since it's pretty much the same scenario.
Aug 14, 2010, 10:23 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Boston area
Programs: Primary: AA & Marriott; Also Hilton, JetBlue and United
Posts: 313
You mean will they board with me? Yes, I intend to try that too. I figure I'd have luck with that scenario since I see it periodically. Just didn't know how the TSA was likely to react.
Aug 14, 2010, 10:38 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: STL
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Once again, the person in the maroon uniform at the head of the line checking to see if you are in the right line is not TSA. The person in a blue uniform who looks at your boarding pass and ID to make sure the name on the ID matches the name on the BP and that the picture matches you doesn't care what line you are in.
Aug 14, 2010, 10:59 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: Inf Elite CO, lifetime AA Platinum
Posts: 1,937
International Lines
And depending on the time of day you may find the international gates (in the intl terminal) much faster. Though at times they are the worst. And with family tough to run around. But an option if you are in a hurry and taking Bart or using the garage.