Southwest Rapid Rewards - BWI Security check time (WN)

Dear All,

I am not sure if this is related to Rapid Rewards. But since I am boarding WN, I hope you do not mind if I post here. Thanks!

I am going to fly from BWI to PDX on the coming Friday (Departure time 3:55PM). This will be my first time flying out of BWI, and I am slightly concerned about the check-in time -- I have to acknowledge that being someone from the Pacific NW, I am not particularly at ease in the east coast due to the population difference.

I am wondering how much time I should leave myself for the security check at BWI. I am flying with Southwest. So it will be terminal 1.

Please kindly give me some ideas. I would highly appreciate your help!

Regards,
Frank

Dear All,

I am not sure if this is related to Rapid Rewards. But since I am boarding WN, I hope you do not mind if I post here. Thanks!

I am going to fly from BWI to PDX on the coming Friday (Departure time 3:55PM). This will be my first time flying out of BWI, and I am slightly concerned about the check-in time -- I have to acknowledge that being someone from the Pacific NW, I am not particularly at ease in the east coast due to the population difference.

I am wondering how much time I should leave myself for the security check at BWI. I am flying with Southwest. So it will be terminal 1.

Please kindly give me some ideas. I would highly appreciate your help!

Regards,
Frank

Suggested Airport Arrival Time for BWI is 1.5 hours prior to scheduled departure time:

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/suggested_arrival.html

A little tip - there are two security checkpoints that lead into all Southwest gates at Terminal 1 - one to the right when facing the ticket counters, one to the left. In my experience, the one to the left is usually less busy...

If there happens to be a long line for checking in and long security lines (e.g., this past Monday morning), arriving at the airport 1 to 1.5 hours before is about right if you want to be relaxed and not worried about missing your flight. More than that is not necessary. Adjust based on your level of comfort.

Less than 1 hour prior may get you on the plane, but if lines are long, you may cut it close. If you're not checking bags - walking into the terminal with 45 minutes to go would probably be fine.

A little tip - there are two security checkpoints that lead into all Southwest gates at Terminal 1 - one to the right when facing the ticket counters, one to the left. In my experience, the one to the left is usually less busy...



This is correct-both the A and B concourses lead to all WN gates and the B security is usually faster.If you are on a BS fare or A lister,the FlyBY Lane is at B also.

1 1/2 hours is almost always more than enough time,usually between 45 minutes to an hour works well with no bags.Curbside baggage is typically faster and well worth the few $$ in tips.

I'm A-list, so I don't see the worst case. But during my recent BWI departures there has been only short security lines -- 5 to 10 minutes. And almost all of the wait was after the ID check. A-list only let me bypass walking back and forth through the empty maze.

I also always use the B Pier security line, since more people seem to head to the A side.

If you are checking bags, that's a different issue. The Southwest bag check line varies. It could take 20 minutes even when the security line is empty.

If you are on a BS fare or A lister,the FlyBY Lane is at B also.

As of a couple of weeks ago, they had a FlyBy lane at both security checkpoints in the Southwest terminal at BWI.

Did they remove one of them?

I must admit that I usually use the one on the B-side, but I have, in the past used the one on the A-side--and am pretty sure it was only a couple of weeks ago, though it could have easily been longer. :)

Folks, thanks a lot. The information here is very useful. I will report how long it takes after my trip is over.

Thanks!

Frank

I have flown out of BWI a couple of times in the last month. Being there 45 minutes ahead of time has never been a problem, even with checked bags. Some of the lot shuttle service is not so reliable, though.

BWI and I have an amusing little relationship - I've made it through there twice in under 25 minutes (no checked bags), but it required a good amount of running. I wouldn't suggest it to people, but it maximized my time in DC. :)

Yesterday at BWI the A-list line let me bypass a line that was under 5 minutes.
The mid-afternoon flight to Denver was 100% full, so this was a fair sample.

Gotta grumble about the gate though: I had A-18, but somehow five people were in front of me. Two or three slid into the line just as the gate agent called general boarding. When I asked about it, the gate agent said they expect passengers to organize themselves in order, they don't enforce it.

I've flown out of BWI on WN maybe 6-8 times this year and never been in line more than 5 minutes at security (including morning business rush on Friday).

YMMV of course...

If you are on a BS fare or A lister,the FlyBY Lane is at B also.

I flew out of BWI yesterday and there is a FlyBy lane at both of the security checkpoints.

Gotta grumble about the gate though: I had A-18, but somehow five people were in front of me. Two or three slid into the line just as the gate agent called general boarding. When I asked about it, the gate agent said they expect passengers to organize themselves in order, they don't enforce it.

I have seen several gate agents at BWI that do not enforce the boarding order.

It is something that, perhaps, management needs to address.

Now that I am done with my travel out of BWI, I'd like to thank everybody for your help. The check-in indeed was smooth. It took me less than 10 minutes from the moment I got off B30 bus to get past the security check. And the line in B gate was indeed MUCH shorter than that in A gate.

Also, I have a very good impression of BWI -- the airport appears to be modern, comparing with MDW which I used to call my home airport.

Frank

I'm in/out of BWI three to four times each month and usually get thru security within 15 minutes (during non holidays). There have been very few times in the last 4 years, that I've waited more than 15 to 20 minutes in line. I agree, B security always seems much faster!!