US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-2005 America West merger) - Security Line Reports

Given the number of people on this board who fly in and out of various airports in the US system, I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread where we can pool our information on the length of time it takes to clear security at various airports, with a particular emphasis on airports where lines are extremely long, the idea being that it would give us all at least some idea of what to expect.

CMH Monday 6:15 am, took 30 minutes; laptops run through separately; keep an eye on your computer as they were all put in one spot after X-ray and it would be easy to grab the wrong computer.

FLL Monday 2pm, line was so long it ran nearly to the next concourse; wait time estimated at 2-3 hours. Lots of troops with M-16s running around.

Sounds like an excellent idea, though this may be more airport generic than US specific.

PIT: Leaving Friday night (late): Absolutely no delays or no lines.

ATL: Leaving Sunday night (peak time): About a 15 minute delay at security. Lines were about 10-12 people deep.

I'm flying to LGA this weekend.. I am NOT looking forward to coming back at 7pm on Sunday from LGA. I figure I might want to leave on Saturday to be safe http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Also post the time of day, as I am finding out that makes a huge difference as well.

BDL-Monday mornings the security line is 20-25 minutes and the Preferred checkin was 10-15 deep. But they pull you out line and send you to the front of regular checkin and security if you have a flight leaving soon. Sunday PM the lines are nil. National Guard MPs with pistols only.

RDU-Early weekday mornings the lines for regular checkin are long but Preferred is short about 2-3 minutes. Security is about 15-20 minutes since all major carriers in Terminal A go through one area. The other security area which is empty most of the time is reserved for Southwest and Airtran which is pretty stupid in my book. Same terminal. In later afternoon, the security lines are shorter except on Fridays when they approach the early AM business rush. Eticket itineary OK. National Guard with M-16s.

BWI-Regular checkin line is long in mid afternoon. Preferred was short. Security was about 15-20 minutes. Here they had checkin terminal at security to get boarding passes for these with intinearies because they required boarding passes to get through.

PHL was at least an hour in line on Friday afternoon. This is especially bad, since I was connecting from Europe, and the customs area is not secure, and one has to re-enter the airport (go figure!)

PHF -- a small airport (Newport News) was great. This might be the trick: begin flight in an underserved market on USAirways Express.


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I'll add this link with comments abotu SEA and DEN (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum51/HTML/001702.html). I'll add my observations about SEA, PHL, MCO and PIT next week.

Sitting here in ATL. I flew out of PIT this afternoon. Arrived at the airport around 2 PM and was on my way about 2:10. Flight didn't board until 3:40. I wonder when it will become clear just how much time you really need to check in? I will report on ATL tomorrow.

At PIT they required you to take the laptop out but it was OK to leave the cell phone in my carry on. There was a lady standing there yelling this.

This flight might have been 1/2 full.

Agree with JGill on coming in to PHL from Europe. Came in from AMS on Sun. 10/14. Had to recheck bags upstairs in non secure area after clearing customs,etc. Regular line was very long (100-150+ people)but preferred line was short (5-6 people).Security line was medium. (about 20 minutes). Missed flight to LAX but to US Airways credit, was put on a full flight 2 hours later. Maybe being Gold helped? Asked why one had to go to unsecured area after clearing customs & reason given PHL airport was ungoing renovations. Heard that most of the international flights will go through PHL in the future.

I am back from ATL. No curb side check in. Sky cabs were waiting by the Hertz drop off point at the terminal.

Only about 6 in front of me at ticketing counter. The line was actually shorter than the preferred line.

Ticket agent told me which security line to go through since the other side had a long line.

It took me about 10 minutes to get through security. Laptop out of case, ok to leave cell phone in case.

They didn't announce S stamps but they did pull certain ones aside. One lady was told her suitcase was pulled of the plane and checked and she was also checked. She wondered why and they didn't give her an answer.

Next weeks trip should be interesting. My drivers license expires and I have a temp. internet license. I wonder how they will handle it. PA will know it is legal, wonder how many people working the checkpoints have ever seen one?

Getting to the airport 2 hours early seems like overkill but I am not sure how far I should cut it back. My luck when I go back to one hour that is when I will be in the endless line. Curbside check in speeds things up, it will be nice when more airports return to it.

<< Next weeks trip should be interesting. My drivers license expires and I have a temp. internet license. I wonder how they will handle it. PA will know it is legal, wonder how many people working the checkpoints have ever seen one? >>

Show the expired license. They probably won't look for the expiration date. When a driver's license expires, it still serves as a photo ID, but you may not drive a motor vehicle without a new one (temp or permanent).

They did point out the date at both security checkpoints at PIT and ATL! Hertz noticed the date at the security checkpoint.

The temporary license will still be good for driving thank goodness.

Three weeks ago when I got to the airport 2 hours in advance of a flight (in PIT) I spent 1 hr 45 mins sitting in the club twiddling my thumbs.

Today I'm planning to get to the airport 1 hour 30 minutes in advance. Like you I'm worried that this will be the day the lines go to the Hyatt -- but what's life without a little risk http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

... and there's a later flight http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

LAX on the 19th for the red-eye to PHL had nobody in line at security, and only a few in line at the counter. Southwest was done for the night, and there was only 1 America West flight at 12:20am and the PIT red-eye.

PHL on the 21st around 6:30 pm. Checked in at Preferred line, about 6 people ahead of me. Asked about which terminal to check in at, and was told C was definately the shorter of the 2. Was prepared to walk over to D to clear if necessary. Line took about 10 minutes, as they only had 2 of the 4 scanners working.

BEWARE, PHL can be a huge mess, you probably should get there 2 hours in advance, or walk down to Temrinals A or D to clear security, especially in the morning.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by safetymom:
They did point out the date at both security checkpoints at PIT and ATL! Hertz noticed the date at the security checkpoint.

The temporary license will still be good for driving thank goodness.</font>

Tell them to "shove it" (not Hertz, the airport people). A driver's license is *NOT* photo ID; it *serves* as a photo ID. As long as your photo is not years past expiration, where one could argue it's not of much use due to aging, it is still a photo ID.

Presumably your temporary license has no photo? In that case, how could the security people possibly accept the expired license with the temporary, photo-free license, but not accept the expired photo license by itself? You're inside an airport, where you can't drive a motor vehicle even if you wanted to.

The security people need to realize the difference between a driver's license and a government-issued photo ID. They are not equals.

[This message has been edited by JS (edited 10-26-2001).]

The temp. license says to present it with your photo license. This is one of those times they may be required to think as I am sure it wasn't handled in their briefing. I'll post what happens.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by safetymom:
Next weeks trip should be interesting. My drivers license expires and I have a temp. internet license. I wonder how they will handle it. PA will know it is legal, wonder how many people working the checkpoints have ever seen one?</font>

If you're concerned about whether or not folks in other airports will know if the internet license is legal, I'd suggest you bring your passport along, just in case. That way, you've got a federally issued I.D., which should help.

But of course it's like what a friend pointed out to someone questioning his ID since it was expired, "Just because it's expired doesn't mean it's not me!" They let him through (although is was to get into a bar, not through a security checkpoint.

[This message has been edited by CLTFlyer (edited 10-27-2001).]

Update on RDU and BDL.

RDU late afternoon Thursday, regular checkin was 60 long, Preferred was 2. Security was 10 minutes.

BDL very early AM on Saturday. Surprised to see a crowd at checkin and security. Was told the crowd was cruise pax and honeymooners. Preferred-no line, regular was 50 deep. Security was 15 minutes. I couldn't stand it when the guy in front of me pulls out $50 worth of change, rings, keys, forgets his cell phone, takes 2-3 minutes, still triggers the detector, holds up the line and gets wanded. Also tried to shove the tray over the top when 2 of us said it has to go through the xray.

Here is LGW report. Exteremely smooth this morning @ 0800 GMT. No line at Envoy check in- Asked secutiy questions, and proceed to check in. Get boarding pass walk over to security. At least 8 x-ray scanners in operation, and about 4 secutiy workers at each station. Laptop & carry on go through- Walk throughmetal detectors and I am done. Approx 15 minutes start to finish. I did notice they were selecting people for a pat down & bag search- but I was not one of them

LGA at 6:00pm Sunday night (ie about 35 minutes ago, I'm in the club right now). Almost no one there. Security line ranges from 5 people deep to no one -- I got in at the point there was no one in line. Took approx 2 minutes to go through security (had to take my laptop out of the bag). Was not wanded or checked otherwise past regular security.

Decided to stay on the later flight and relax in the club (which is also EMPTY -- I've been here Sunday night before -- when it's been packed) -- the 6:30pm flight to PIT was full in both first and coach, apparently.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JS:
&lt;&lt; Next weeks trip should be interesting. My drivers license expires and I have a temp. internet license. I wonder how they will handle it. PA will know it is legal, wonder how many people working the checkpoints have ever seen one? &gt;&gt;

Show the expired license. They probably won't look for the expiration date. When a driver's license expires, it still serves as a photo ID, but you may not drive a motor vehicle without a new one (temp or permanent).</font>

My experience (with an expired passport) has been mixed. ATL and PIT took it, but LAS would not. (I got through by also showing my only other current photo ID, a YMCA card. My state non-driver ID is somewhere on a WN plane in the state of Washington...)

Flew PHL/LAX on Sat. am, and returned on redeye Sat nite. Experienced what others have described at Terminal C; Line on Sat. am ran from security checkpoint all the way back to the Marriott. Walked over to B after waiting in line 15 minutes and could actually see people strolling along the B walkway. Only 10 people in line at B!

LAX /PHL redeye was a snap. Curbside allowed now at PHL, and LAX now allows parking at the airport.

Anyone remember if all terminals at PHL connect? I seem to remember having to cross over to the Non-secured side and re-enter as there is a break between two terminals.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Anyone remember if all terminals at PHL connect? I seem to remember having to cross over to the Non-secured side and re-enter as there is a break between two terminals.[/B]</font>
A, B, C, and D gates all connect inside the security perimeter for sure. (I flew out of PHL Monday morning after getting bumped there Sunday night.)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by silverpie:
My experience (with an expired passport) has been mixed. ATL and PIT took it, but LAS would not. (I got through by also showing my only other current photo ID, a YMCA card. My state non-driver ID is somewhere on a WN plane in the state of Washington...)</font>

Given heightented security, one should always travel with some valid back-up ID. A valid passport is the best ID of all and I would not leave home with out it these days...

I now always carry my passport and driver's license. I'm not sure if it would make air travel any safer, but if people want a universal ID -- let's just use passports. Just gotta make them a bit cheaper (maybe?) and a lot quicker/easier to get.

I detest the idea of having to show ID for a domestic flight. I am certainly not going to carry a "backup" ID! Enough already!

SEA - Saturday 0530. Short line up at top of escalator for BP/itinerary check.
Security was very fast. NG only armed with Berattas here.
Tuesday 2030 - no line but not many US or NW flights headed out.

PHL - Saturday 1500-1530. No line up at entrance to C concourse.

MCO - Saturday 1830. No line up at entry point to US gates.
Tuesday 1300. 4 lines for security/ID check. About 15 in length but took
only 5-7 minutes to clear security.

How's BOS...specifically, Sunday early morning?

Anyone been out of BWI lately. Earlier this week the FAA okayed the use of State Employees (ie state police etc) to expedited the security process at BWI. Have heard that the security lines at BWI were huge. Anyone been there lately?? My next trip is on 11/8, just wondering what to expect.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by allpoints:
Anyone been out of BWI lately</font>

I fly out of BWI this Saturday, I'll let you know.

For BWI, the huge lines I saw for security was for Southwest. US was manageable, about 15 minutes in the late PM rush. This was a few weeks ago.

BOS was Ok though I wasn't there on a Sunday. I got through security in about 10 mins. Checked in for boarding pass at the kiosk.

I was surprised at how quickly I moved through the airport.

PIT-TOS on Saturday. The line at security moved very quickly. I was at the Express gates in 10 mins.

This morning in TOS had to wait in line at ticket counter. Things moved slow at PIT. It took longer for my cases to come than it did to fly from TOS.

The line this morning at PIT was out of the doors to the walkway. The crowd seemed rowdy or surly today. Yesterday everyone was mellow.

Still not sure how much time to allow. Hoping it figures itself out. I don't fly for awhile now. It feels good.

I made Silver with US, 5 Star with Hertz. The next trip is for pleasure with my kids.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JS:
I detest the idea of having to show ID for a domestic flight. I am certainly not going to carry a "backup" ID! Enough already!</font>

JS, when have you ever NOT had to show ID before any flight, domestic or int'l? I've almost lost mine quite a few times forgetting to put it back in my wallet. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 11-04-2001).]

What worked very nicely for me this year was having two drivers licenses. I thought I lost the first one. I got a replacement and of course then I found the first one.

I keep one safely in my wallet, the other with my travel papers and at the airport in my pocket so I can show it when I need to. I don't have to worry about having a drivers license then when driving because that one is in my wallet. I don't like to flash my wallet at the airport after watching all those shows showing the pickpockets.

BWI, Saturday, noontime: checkin (non-elite): maybe 20 people. checkin (elite): 0 people. Security (Pier D): 90 seconds, including the National Guardsman looking me up in the computer and matching it to my itinerary. (i wanted to checkin at the gate).

BOS Saturday afternoon (Term B) was deserted. No line for security or checkin.

BOS, Sunday, 10:00am: checkin (non-elite) looked pretty long, maybe 100 people. Elite checkin was empty. E-ticket automated checkin was empty, too. Security took maybe 5 minutes total.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kanebear:
JS, when have you ever NOT had to show ID before any flight, domestic or int'l? I've almost lost mine quite a few times forgetting to put it back in my wallet. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif</font>

Or course I've had to show ID for domestic flights (int'l is different). But how much good has it done? None, apparently.

What a joke! First of DFW. I asked for a manual search, no wands either. They didn't even ask why the manual search nor did they search my personal bags.

Next, PIT. Trooper checked ID against ticket. Again I asked for a manual search, no wands. This time he asked why. But again my personal bags wre not searched!

Again. what a joke!

PWM 11:30 flight to PHl totally clear took about 3 minutes and then I had about 2 hours to do nothing..in PHL looked like bus as usual..next flight to PBI No problems.

Coming back PBI hardly any wait again but a really long line to the other terminal. Also, had to take my laptop out and put it on the belt. In PWM they wiped it with a cloth and then put the cloth in a machine--weird. I heard some nightmares but all referring to early am flights.

I don't understand the joke a couple of posts above.. what's wrong with not searching everyone's bags?

SAN at 6:15am on Thursday, Nov 8, was a 15 minute wait at security.

SEA November 8 1130AM PT. No one at preferred/FC line. Ten minutes through security.

Worst I've seen it yet... and a harbringer of things to come..

Newark at 3pm on Thursday. First major holiday (Veterans Day) since 9/11.

Lines were over 200 yards long and snaked all the way across the terminal. And back.

If we don't do better than this I will refuse to travel for my job during Thanksgiving or XMAS. It was bad folks. We have GOT to do better or people will just not travel during the busiest season of the year!

Which could mean real trouble for the airlines.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JaC:
PWM 11:30 flight to PHl totally clear took about 3 minutes and then I had about 2 hours to do nothing..in PHL looked like bus as usual..next flight to PBI No problems.

Coming back PBI hardly any wait again but a really long line to the other terminal. Also, had to take my laptop out and put it on the belt. In PWM they wiped it with a cloth and then put the cloth in a machine--weird. I heard some nightmares but all referring to early am flights.</font>

The cloth wiping device is a test for explosives or explosives residue; I've had my laptop tested several times at various airports.

Quite a bit to report. Here goes:

BDL - Tues 10/9 1:30 PM
US Reg line - about 75 people, 2 in Pref.
Security very quick, 5 min, two checking tickets, two machines running, extra wanders on the side.

SAN - Thur 10/11 1:00 PM
US Reg line - about 100 people, 4-5 in Pref.
Southwest line out the doors, maybe 200 in line. Security about 10 min, multiple machines in use. Southwest terminal security line about 300 people long.

SAN - Thur 10/18 1:00 PM
A little lighter than above.

BDL - Sat 10/27 1:00 PM
Lighter than above.

MCO - Sun 10/28 3:00 PM
US Reg line, maybe 30, 2-3 in Pref.
Many security stations opened, maybe 5-10 min wait.

BDL - Sat 11/3 1:00 PM
Same as above

LAS - Wed 10/7 10:00 AM (Southwest to SAN)
Told to arrive 2 hrs in advance. Security maybe 20 people long, about 5-10 min wait.
Changed to 10:25 flight from 11:25 wiht no problem (Other than being flagged for gate baggage search for a)buying one way tix, b) purchasing within 24 hrs of flight or c) changing flight at gate once booked)

SAN - Wed 10/7 11:30 AM
US Reg line, about 25-30, 6 in Pref.
Security only about 10 in line, about 5 min.

Here's an update for RDU and CLT:

CLT (11/9/01 @ 9:00 a.m.): Security line at entrance to C & D Concourses very short - took me 1 minute from getting into the line to getting through the check with two machines running. Check in lines o.k. - Preferred had only 3 people in it, regular looked to be about 15-20.

RDU (11/9/01 @ 10:30 a.m.): Security line very long (looked line the security lobby was very tight) - figure it might have taken folks about 20 min. to get through. (11/9 @ 6:40 p.m.) Security line very light took only 1 minute to get through at Terminal A. Very visible National Guard presence. Check-in lines ( @6:30 p.m.): Preferred had only 2 people in it and regular line had maybe 10.



[This message has been edited by CLTFlyer (edited 11-09-2001).]

LAS: the preferred line was closed when I was there a few weeks ago. I arrived extra early so there were only 4 people in line. No line at security.

PIT last Sunday evening: Was there very early. No on in the preferred line. &lt;10 people in the regular line. Security only took about 5 minutes.

I've been flying quite a bit lately, security pathetic at all airports--no different than usual.
I've been on jury duty the past two days in NYC--very tight security to the point of opening women's bags and checking their wallets, including looking in the change comparent for anything suspicious. It took 90 minutes to clear security for jury duty (with cops and US Marshalls checking) and 10 minutes to get on a 757 to fly to Puerto Rico...

SJU- the regular US check in was very long on Saturday, 11/17. Lots of cruise pax. Preferred only had 2 and the one in front of me was a handicapped accomodation. The DL line was huge as was CO. We waited with another couple in the CO line for an hour to chat. They were doing lots of baggage checks of US pax near the counter which was a zoo. I checked in in about a minute and got through security in 2 since the security lines were about 5-6 deep. I am so thankful I am CP.

BWI Nov 16 afternoon - regular line packed 200 deep with 10-15 agents. F/DP line had 3 or 4 people with 2 agents. Security has 2 lines open, each with 20-25 people. Maybe 10 minutes total.

SEA Nov 18 late morning - regular line had 100+ people with 1 or 2 agents. F/DM line had 2 people with 2 agents. Security was no line.

Flew out of LAX on Friday morning. Waited in line outside for 45 minutes at 6am just to clear security. The line stretched almost to Terminal 2, but it did move. They also would pull people out of line if their flight time was close.

Flew out of PHL Sunday night for an 8pm flight. The line to clear security in Terminal C stretched back to the stairwell for the train, so I walked over to Terminal D where there was nobody in line, and then walked over to my gate from there. I would suggest that to anybody who has more than enough time between checking in and their departure. I think that Terminal F would also be a good choice if there you have carry-on only, and then take the shuttles from there. Terminal A is also a good option, with the exception of the late afternoons when all the Europe flights leave.

PHL - concourse a-b-c - fri nite 645p - 20 min wait. only one of four xray machines were staffed. p-i-t-a !!

Flew out of LAX on Saturday. What an ordeal. The security line for Terminal 1 was all the way past Terminal 2. It took about 2 hours to get through security. I am sure that the holiday may have had something to do with the extended wait. However, a conversation with an airport rep said that the waits for Terminal 1 on Saturdays have been long for a while now. The USAirways and America West passengers are getting caught up in the Southwest Cattle Call.

Flew out of LAX this past Friday morning (at 6 AM). Line went out of Terminal 1 almost to Terminal 2. Took 1hr. & 15 min to clear security. They were pulling people out the lines who had more immediate flights (~30 to 45 min. away).

Line at PVD were much shorter. Took 10-15 min. to clear security. This was Sunday at 3:45 PM.

Did the international dance last night from LGW.

PHL immigration was 25 minutes owing to the fact that the AMS, BRU, FCO, LGW, and British Air LGW flights arrived within 5 minutes of each other.

Customs was 5 minutes after being dragged into secondary.

The've redone the international recheck line at PHL such that you have to reclear security. The line was about 45 minutes. We were told that the entrance to "C" was wide open and went there. OOPS. That line stretched just to the end of the moving walkway leading to the parking garage but went in about 15 - 20 minutes. I did consider going over to D concourse but had done enough walking...

Any last minute PHL reports? Heading to AMS tonight.

Chris

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
Any last minute PHL reports? Heading to AMS tonight.

Chris</font>

Flew out of PHL to LGW on Saturday. Checkin at Preferred line was 5 minutes. Security was about 10 minutes. This was at about 5:00 p.m.

Thats a good time. I have some trepidation after waiting 15 min in the Pref line, followed by a 45 min security line wait on a thursday about 5pm.

I am thinking I will get there early anyway , as i am 4th on the Envoy waitlist with 6 free seats.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
Thats a good time. I have some trepidation after waiting 15 min in the Pref line, followed by a 45 min security line wait on a thursday about 5pm.

I am thinking I will get there early anyway , as i am 4th on the Envoy waitlist with 6 free seats.</font>

I'm hearing real conficting info on availability these days. Seems to be hit or miss.

As mentioned in another post, 126 to LGW was oversold by 40 Friday night. 126 on Saturday went out about 98% full.

99 from LGW to PHL on Tuesday was about 40% full with only about 15 in Envoy.

PIT-11/15@9 am or so--No report on the checkin lines, as I checked in at gate. 5 minutes thru security.

PIT-11/16@4pm--Regular US line was about 200 deep. Elite line was 30 people deep with 4 agents working. 10 minutes. Security took about 10 minutes.

SEA-11/18-early afternoon-Regular US line was 300+ deep (backed past the WN counter) with 3 agents working. F/DM line was 2 deep, with 1 agent dedicated and 1 alternating to clear the F queue. Security was a 3 minute wait at the top of the escalators, and 5 minutes to be scanned.

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

Flew out of DAY this morning; security line was a nightmare -- took over an hour -- was probably due in part to the holiday -- would have missed the plane but for the fog in CLT this AM. Situation at FLL much improved over last couple of trips -- 20 mins tops.

I feel

Bringing this forward:

SEA Wednesday 2130-ish, Monday 2030 Virtually no line at all.

FLL Thursday 1400 - about 30-40 in line. Probably would take 15 mins. max. Monday 1200 30 in line, shrank to 10-15 in line by 1240. Security is quite thorough but efficient.

FLL may be crowded earlier in the morning as cruise pax try to get away.

Any recent reports on connecting to an intl. flight in PHL. I have about an hour to change planes in PHL and am worried that heading thru security again at the A terminal will be a pain????

Any recent thoughts or experiences?

I'm heading out on the Rome flight at 6:05 pm after arriving from DCA in PHL at 5 pm....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1004:
Any recent reports on connecting to an intl. flight in PHL. I have about an hour to change planes in PHL and am worried that heading thru security again at the A terminal will be a pain????</font>

It is not necessary to go through security again in PHL. You can simply walk to the A concourse and board your flight (or relax in the Envoy lounge). I do this all the time on long PHL layovers, just to see the planes.

David

I went to Rome a couple of weeks ago. Connecting from a domestic to intl is not a big problem. No need to reenter security. The other direction (intl to domestic) takes much more time. (clearing immgration,customs, then rechecking checked luggage upstairs & then reentering security). Hope you have almost 2 hours on the return--may take from 1 hour (optimistic--having only carryons & getting lucky) to 2 hours. It took me 1.5 hours to get to the domestic gate. I had a 3.5 hour layover but I was in Envoy so I had use of the club. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chemist661:
The other direction (intl to domestic) takes much more time. (clearing immgration,customs, then rechecking checked luggage upstairs & then reentering security). </font>


Ahhhh. It's all coming back to me now...

Thanks for all the above comments.

i was bumping this topic to the top, as I am curious what Philly has been like on international flights in the evenings. Anyone have any recent experience?

I flew PHL-LGW last month. The line was not bad at all at 6:00pm. After checking in it was maybe 2 minutes to get through the security line.

Can someone confirm this....I had a customer tell me today that at PHL (I think) there is a seperate line if you just need to pick up an itinerary card for security. Has anyone seen this at PHL or any other US airport?

Anybody notice that the security lines are getting longer at DCA or was it that I have hit it at the wrong times (Friday afternoons around 3PM). Any info on lines on other days? BTW, the security line at RDU at Terminal C (AA & JI) backed up last Friday at 5PM all the way to the check in counters.

Flew from BOS this morning - my first time since the Fed took over the security. The checkpoint lines at Terminal B were much longer than before, specially the shuttle line. Spent 30 minutes in the line - used to get through the shuttle line in 5 minutes.

Just wanted to add a note about PHX. Like a restaurant reviewer does, I have been there a few times and was withholding judgment until I saw it at a few different times, etc.

Generally, the security line there is a crap shoot. There are 4 terminals at PHX, in the DFW style (ie completely separate, takes forever to get between them). There are only about 15 gates in Terminal 2 (which US uses along with UA, AC, and AS). But generally there are only 2 'screening' stations operating - although 3 or 4 are there. there is also a big 'snake line' right before the screening stations (ie something you would see waiting for a roller coaster) that takes about 15-20 minutes to get through. I have had total waits of 15, 30, and 60 minutes there over the past 2 months.

The latest was yesterday am (I know, a Monday morning). The line was an hour long. The only thing that kept it moving was the agents announcing upcoming flights and pulling people out of line to get them. Ironically, these people just get put in a 'side' line that avoids the snake line but is otherwise still pretty long. It doesnt move much faster. We were just entering the snake line (after waiting 35 minutes) when our US flight was called by the agents to pull people out of line. We made it through security before any of the people in the side line did.

Btw - the US check in agent noted to me that this was a 'fairly normal' line for this time of day - any day of the week. So it wasnt just a Monday effect. Not surprising - what business travelers leave PHX on a Monday morning and miss the whole day on East coast?

Anyway, like I said its a crap shoot as to how long it will be. But dont worry, they pull people out of line. So based on that, you can get there 45 minutes before your flight and you'll be fine.

Bumping to the top..I am curious what the security lines at PHL are like recently? With the preferred line, can I pretty much go right in?

I've found that PHL is quick (&lt;10 minutes) since they added the preferred line. If you're not preferred, though, prepare to wait for quite a bit longer.

Yesterday.

Preferred line: no wait
Regular line: stretched back towards baggage claim and SEPTA escalator (perhaps 40-60 minutes)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BizJet:
Yesterday.

Preferred line: no wait
Regular line: stretched back towards baggage claim and SEPTA escalator (perhaps 40-60 minutes)</font>

Thanks everyone! I will have my own report in about an hour. it's nice that the PHL to BOS is back to hourly and I can just fly when I get there.

Just a bump with a question: how are things looking at BOS since the preferred line went in? I've got a connection coming up this week, and I'm wondering if my combination of zippo, cancer sticks, and preferred card will hold up to satisfy my craving during that 70 minute layover....

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Saving the world, one clue at a time.

Odd one at ORD. The sign suggests that the priority line in T2 is only for NW. However, when I was there, the person checking was in AA uniform (AA doesn't even use T2), and was accepting equivalents from all T2 carriers.

Thursday am at CLT, the priority line was 15-20 folks. For the regulars, the line stretched out the door. Not sure why, but boy do I feel safe.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ClueByFour:
Just a bump with a question: how are things looking at BOS since the preferred line went in? </font>

Don't count on the preferred line at BOS. I've hardly ever seen it open. (I usually fly early in the morning, though).

The better BOS trick is the security line by the shuttle gates. It's usually packed from about 10 past the hour to 40 past the hour as people line up for the top-of-the-hour shuttle departures; however, if you catch it on the other half of an hour, it is often empty.

When I saw Clue's message I realized that I've never noticed a Preferred Line at BOS. I guess that's good news, though, because the only time it'd even cross my mind to look for one would be if I was stewing in line. I've never had to wait in a security line at BOS.

Believe it or not, the "uniform" for the security folks at BOS now includes tuxedo shirts and bow ties. When you're going through the screening process be sure to slap them on the shoulder and say "Hey pal, are you going to a wedding or WHAT? HAR HAR-HAR!" They have great senses of humor, and love it when you say that.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ATC:
Believe it or not, the "uniform" for the security folks at BOS now includes tuxedo shirts and bow ties. When you're going through the screening process be sure to slap them on the shoulder and say "Hey pal, are you going to a wedding or WHAT? HAR HAR-HAR!" They have great senses of humor, and love it when you say that.</font>

I think it's been that way for a while. Pre-Sept. 11, the only thing I remember people in bow ties doing was special-assistance (wheelchairs and such). But since the National Guard's presence has ramped down, it's almost always a bow-tie person checking IDs and boarding passes at the security entrance and doing the "random" gate security checks.

And I agree, the wedding joke is SOOO tempting ...