United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - SAN Connection Between Terminals (to/from UA flights)

Apologies if this has been answered; I could not find any similar post.

I'm flying DEN-SAN-SFO this Saturday morning, arriving SAN at 910a and leaving SAN at 1030a. My DEN-SAN flight is a PMCO 738 and appears nearly certain to be arriving into T2 (gate 35). My SAN-SFO flight is a PMUA 752 and appears likely to leave from T1.

1. I don't believe that there are any options to change terminals within security even though I am connecting UA-UA; is that correct?

2. How tight is this connection in reality, given that I believe I have to transit terminals and re-clear security? I'll have access to the Premier checkpoint line.

3. Are there any tips people can offer from experience changing terminals or getting through T1 security?

4. I've looked at avg security line times but in general, how are T1 security lines at SAN (for the UA pier)?

Thanks very much.

Apologies if this has been answered; I could not find any similar post.

I'm flying DEN-SAN-SFO this Saturday morning, arriving SAN at 910a and leaving SAN at 1030a. My DEN-SAN flight is a PMCO 738 and appears nearly certain to be arriving into T2 (gate 35). My SAN-SFO flight is a PMUA 752 and appears likely to leave from T1.

1. I don't believe that there are any options to change terminals within security even though I am connecting UA-UA; is that correct?

2. How tight is this connection in reality, given that I believe I have to transit terminals and re-clear security? I'll have access to the Premier checkpoint line.

3. Are there any tips people can offer from experience changing terminals or getting through T1 security?

4. I've looked at avg security line times but in general, how are T1 security lines at SAN (for the UA pier)?

Thanks very much.

1. Correct, you will have to reclear security. So irritating they don't at least have an airside bus transfer.. I guess the reasoning is there aren't really that many people who connect at SAN.
2. It's enough time, but don't dawdle in case there's a line.
3. See #3

That should be enough time as long as your flights not too late. You do have to exit security but dont wait around for the bus that goes around the terminals. T2 to T1 is a 5 min walk.

I did about 2 months ago. My inbound was late leaving a 30min connection and there was a few min to spare. It was later in the afternoon and there was no line for security at that time

UA and WN share T1 space at SAN, and the security line can be quite long and slow in the morning with families leaving town. I agree with previous posters that you do have time, but I wouldn't mess around, as you must re-clear security.

I transferred at SAN from the Commuter Terminal (LA flights) to T2 and the process took about 20-25 minutes.

Good luck!

Yes you would have to reclear security.

There is an interterminal shuttle that loops Commuter, T1, and T2 terminals. It's known as the "red bus". However, with the construction going on in Terminal 2, buses, as well as all other traffic, has certainly been delayed going in and out of T2. You can walk between the 2 terminals -- the buildings don't physically connect, but I would give it 15-20 minutes at least: more if you're pulling any heavy luggage and/or have dependents in tow.

As for security lines, there is preferred security to the very right at the -sole- UA checkpoint to the very right. Many people miss it as it's not well marked -- just walk straight up toward the TSA agent and it should be the very right lane.

UA and WN share T1 space at SAN

This is not entirely accurate. While both UA and Southwest (WN) are in Terminal 1, they are in separate sections of T1 and do not share a security checkpoint. The only other airline in the United section of T1 is Alaska.

The OP should be ok during the mid-morning time in question. I would recommend that you walk between terminals if possible. The stop for the Airport Loop Bus (formerly known as the "Red Bus") is at the far eastern end of Terminal 2. The distance between the UA T2 gates and the Airport Loop stop is actually about the same or more than the distance between the Airport Loop stop and Terminal 1.

Thanks, everyone. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

SFO, DEN, ORD, IAD are still all in/out of T1. It should take no more than 30 seconds to get to the next flight when flying DEN-SAN-SFO.

EWR, IAH are still being operated out of T2. There is signage in the airport re: what destination you have and what terminal you should use.

In and Out those cities/ terminals have not changed regardless of A/C - look at flightaware.

UA will eventually all move to T2 but not for a while.

SFO, DEN, ORD, IAD are still all in/out of T1. It should take no more than 30 seconds to get to the next flight when flying DEN-SAN-SFO.

EWR, IAH are still being operated out of T2. There is signage in the airport re: what destination you have and what terminal you should use.

In and Out those cities/ terminals have not changed regardless of A/C - look at flightaware.

UA will eventually all move to T2 but not for a while.

Thanks for the note but I'm not sure about that - has this pattern held true for you? It appears (I could be wrong) that the aircraft is the deciding factor, not the origin/destination. Today, for instance, of the 3 DEN-SAN flights, the flight operated by a 738 (PMCO) arrives at Gate 35, while the 2 flights operated by PMUA AC, a 752 and 320, arrive into Gates 12 and 15, respectively. This pattern has held true for the past couple of days (which I realize could mean nothing for the future).

As an aside, I noticed in Seattle (where I fly a lot) that neither the origin/destination nor the AC type seem to be determinative as to whether UA uses the North Satellite (PMUA gates) or the B Concourse (PMCO gates) any more. Not sure what the determining factor in SAN is or if there is one.

As an aside, I noticed in Seattle (where I fly a lot) that neither the origin/destination nor the AC type seem to be determinative as to whether UA uses the North Satellite (PMUA gates) or the B Concourse (PMCO gates) any more. Not sure what the determining factor in SAN is or if there is one.Yes that's correct.. with one small exception.. if a wide body comes to SEA (ie the daily NRT flight or a wide body swap on another route) it will always depart from N. Otherwise..no way to know where your plane will depart other than by checking flight status.

Thanks for the note but I'm not sure about that - has this pattern held true for you? It appears (I could be wrong) that the aircraft is the deciding factor, not the origin/destination. Today, for instance, of the 3 DEN-SAN flights, the flight operated by a 738 (PMCO) arrives at Gate 35, while the 2 flights operated by PMUA AC, a 752 and 320, arrive into Gates 12 and 15, respectively. This pattern has held true for the past couple of days (which I realize could mean nothing for the future).

As an aside, I noticed in Seattle (where I fly a lot) that neither the origin/destination nor the AC type seem to be determinative as to whether UA uses the North Satellite (PMUA gates) or the B Concourse (PMCO gates) any more. Not sure what the determining factor in SAN is or if there is one.

Ask Mrs. Madone59 being wrong is not foreign to me :D

As far as I have seen in and out of the pmUA and pmCO hubs is still split. Maybe some flight are starting to move over already.

Ask Mrs. Madone59 being wrong is not foreign to me :D

As far as I have seen in and out of the pmUA and pmCO hubs is still split. Maybe some flight are starting to move over already.

HA. Interestingly, UA is listing SAN gate assignments online and on mobile app for tomorrow's DEN-SAN flights that are PMUA planes but not for the PMCO flight (the one I was presuming will go into T2).

Is the move to T2 you mentioned an upgrade over T1? Is there a facility for a Club in T2 (not sure if CO had one)?

The move will be an upgrade...............when it is done. T2 is newer/ nicer and currently going through an update. The food is better, but there is no club unless you have an amex plat and can get into the Delta club.

One of the problems with CO and UA moving into 1 space at SAN was Alaska did not want to move out of T1 (who know's why). I think it would have been cool to have a UA only section of T1 because Southwest uses another section of T1 with different screening lines. Other than people connecting from US (not sure why one would) there is no other *A traffic into SAN unlike OW which has BA and JAL (starting in Dec) coming in.

Maybe UA moving over to the nice and bigger side side where CO was means we will see some *A growth into SAN.......**cough cough** LH.

I seem to have gotten off topic, sorry.

Alaska did not want to move out of T1 (who know's why).

I don't know either as no access to a lounge in their current area for AS Boardroom members

Where the aircraft lands in SAN is probably dictated by where the aircraft goes next. All EWR/IAH flights go out of T2, while SFO/DEN/ORD/IAD operate out of T1 for now. When the T2 upgrade is done UA will consolidate to T2.

Alaska probably wanted to stay in T1 because they may get charged less by the airport authority in T1 then having gates in T2.

The move will be an upgrade...............when it is done. T2 is newer/ nicer and currently going through an update. The food is better, but there is no club unless you have an amex plat and can get into the Delta club.

One of the problems with CO and UA moving into 1 space at SAN was Alaska did not want to move out of T1 (who know's why). I think it would have been cool to have a UA only section of T1 because Southwest uses another section of T1 with different screening lines. Other than people connecting from US (not sure why one would) there is no other *A traffic into SAN unlike OW which has BA and JAL (starting in Dec) coming in.

Maybe UA moving over to the nice and bigger side side where CO was means we will see some *A growth into SAN.......**cough cough** LH.

I seem to have gotten off topic, sorry.
AmEx Plat only allows you to enter the DL lounges when flying DL. Also, DL lounges are no longer in Priority Pass (not since the merger).

ADDED. If Alaska moves to T2, they would be able to use the DL lounge, just as DL people can use their Boardrooms.

AA has a lounge on the east side of T2

The move will be an upgrade...............when it is done. T2 is newer/ nicer and currently going through an update. The food is better, but there is no club unless you have an amex plat and can get into the Delta club.

One of the problems with CO and UA moving into 1 space at SAN was Alaska did not want to move out of T1 (who know's why). I think it would have been cool to have a UA only section of T1 because Southwest uses another section of T1 with different screening lines. Other than people connecting from US (not sure why one would) there is no other *A traffic into SAN unlike OW which has BA and JAL (starting in Dec) coming in.

Maybe UA moving over to the nice and bigger side side where CO was means we will see some *A growth into SAN.......**cough cough** LH.

I seem to have gotten off topic, sorry.

I agree, having an all-UA wing of T1 would be awesome. I love T1, you can get from curb to plane in 7 minutes, plane to curb in 90 seconds. How long does it take at T2?

Have a near future ticket booked that includes a 42 minute connect at SAN, arriving at T1 and departing from the commuter terminal on a flight to LAX.

Even if I arrive SAN on-time, rather than take a chance on the terminal bus possibly being slow to arrive at T1, am considering walking over to the commuter terminal. Looks like there is a sidewalk between them, and am estimating a walk of no more than 15 minutes, front door to front door.
Would you walk?

Have connected in SAN many times, and always waited for the bus, but few connects were this short.

Thanks everyone. Did this yesterday and it was a snap - walked from T2 to T1. Almost no line at the T1 security line for UA but I did as suggested and walked straight towards the TSA agent on the far right. It felt like I was walking into the gift shop/newsstand.

Have a near future ticket booked that includes a 42 minute connect at SAN, arriving at T1 and departing from the commuter terminal on a flight to LAX.

Even if I arrive SAN on-time, rather than take a chance on the terminal bus possibly being slow to arrive at T1, am considering walking over to the commuter terminal. Looks like there is a sidewalk between them, and am estimating a walk of no more than 15 minutes, front door to front door.
Would you walk?

Have connected in SAN many times, and always waited for the bus, but few connects were this short.

I'm connecting in SAN tomorrow evening from an IAH flight to an LAX flight. Looks like the IAH flight lands in T2 gate 36. Is it just quicker to walk to the commuter terminal from T2? What length of time should I expect it to take? I have about an 80 minute layover and I see the UC is only in T1. I assume it's not worth the hassle to try to work that in? Is the security line ever an issue at the commuter terminal or can I hang out outside till right before my flight?

On a side note, does anyone know if SAN has free wifi? Thanks all!

Taking the bus vs walking is probably about the same amount of time. From T2 to CT is probably a 10 minute walk at a good pace, if you're a fast walker or hustle you could probably make it in 7-8 minutes. The bus I think comes by every 5-10 minutes and with traffic and lights probably takes another 5-10 to get to CT. If I don't have a lot of luggage I always walk between terminals.

The UC is in T1 but in the evening I can't imagine security taking more than 5 minutes and I've never had any issue with telling the TSA I'm just going in to use the club even when departing out of CT. 5 minutes should be plenty of time for CT security as well, unless all 3 carriers have flights leaving at the same time there shouldn't be more than 1-2 people in line in front of you.

You could theoretically end up with 45 minutes to kill so you may want to head to the UC in T1. Alternatively if you head out of the airport and cross Harbor Drive there's a decent park on the waterfront where you could sit and relax for a bit.

I believe WiFi is still free although it may make you watch a commercial or do a survey or something.