US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Security Lines at PBI

Just curious as to what one could normally anticipate the security lines at PBI to be like on a summer Sunday evening.

My wife is flying PBI to PHL on two consecutive weekends in August on US flt. #976 ( departs PBI at 6:55 PM ). We've both flown out of PBI on lots of occassions, but never on a later US flight like this one.

Since she is going carry-on and can check in on-line the day before, we're just trying to figure out what time to drop her off without cutting things too close with security.

Barry

I've never flown out on a Sunday night, but even when the line is long, it moves quite fast. I've never arrived more than an hour in advance. Unfortunately, the USAirways gates are at the end of concourse B. If she gets there early, she'll have her choice of Burger King and Starbucks.

Normally not bad. Southwest, and more recently, JetBlue, also use the concourse (along with CO and NW). At times, they create more activity than you'd like to see, but as mentioned earlier by someone else, TSA keeps it moving nicely.

Thanks for the insights. As suggested, we'll drop her off about one hour before departure.

PBI is one of our favorite airports as access to the airport is simple, rental car return is smooth and quick ( at least at Dollar it is ), and the airport is made for easy drop offs.

Now that you mention it, those long lines do indeed move pretty quickly. The TSA folks at PBI are both efficient and polite. PHL B/C could take some lessons in that regard.

Barry

I have never had much of a wait at Term B. security at PBI. However, Term C(which is mostly DL) is another story.

Dan

Sorry Dan, my post was a bit muddled.

PBI screening is the best I've seen. I was referring to B/C terminal at our home airport (PHL) which is a very uneven, often confusing/cumbersome experience.

Barry

Just a quick note to the OP...I was at PBI picking someone up on Sunday night (late...midnight) and they've started the expansion project at the A/B concourse (US's concourse) - it looked like all security lanes were still open, but there may some additional delay. Just a heads up.

The couple of times I've flown out of PBI, security was pretty quick. They did both times though make everyone remove all shoes, including flip-flop sandals, and walk on the tile floor barefoot :eek:

Luckily each and every time I have cleared security at PBI I was not asked to remove my sneakers.

Dan

Luckily each and every time I have cleared security at PBI I was not asked to remove my sneakers.

Dan

Are you sure it was PBI. They seem hell bent at B to give anyone who doesn't remove their shoes automatic secondary screening. I told them it was illegal, and even showed them a printout from the TSA page saying that keeping shoes on might increase chances for secondary screening, but not make it automatic, and they told me that the TSA website was wrong!

Apparently there is a piece of equipment that would allow people to wear shoes, but the TSA director at PBI does not want to use it. This info came from an airline employee at PBI.

Both times at PBI I was able to clear security with my shoes on, after the agents make the annoucement that everybody needs to de-shoe, I simply walk through even though I am warned that I need to de-shoe.

Each and every time, I have not set off the machine and the agent just lets me go.

I should add that I realize I have been very lucky as I know others who have had major issues at PBI.

Dan

For those who aren't aware, the TSA does maintain a database (http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html) that shows estimated wait times at all airports by concourse and time of day.

For Sunday afternoon/evenings at PBI, they state wait times this way:
Time Slot Concourse Avg Wait/Max Wait
4PM A/B 7min/10min
4PM C 4min/4min
5PM A/B 5min/9min
5PM C 3min/4min
6PM A/B 4min/5min
6PM C 3min/3min

Bill,

Thanks for the very useful link.

When one looks at the TSA site and all of the useful links they include for each destination airport, it almost makes one think that government actually works. ;)

Barry

As much as I hate the TSA, I have to admit that their website is fairly decent and actually provides usefull information.

Dan

As much as I hate the TSA, I have to admit that their website is fairly decent and actually provides usefull information.

You're right that the info is on their website, but the question is whether or not the TSA agents actually follow that info, or if as phllax and others have mentioned, they claim it's wrong / you're showing them a fake printout / etc. and just go ahead and do their own thing (a la EWR :mad: )