Security at SFO
May 16, 2016, 5:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SFO
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Security at SFO
So I'm flying international out of SFO next Monday on UA. I have Pre-Check and two questions:
1) I know SFO uses a private contractor instead of the TSA. Does this mean SFO isn't experiencing the same security checkpoint issues many other airports are? (I.e., no excessive delays, Pre-Check not being open, etc.)
2) I checked SFO's website and it says that only the domestic terminals have Pre-Check. It looks like, however, I could clear security in T3 and walk to the international terminal. Is this a) possible and b) necessary, or is there Pre-Check in the international boarding area?
1) I know SFO uses a private contractor instead of the TSA. Does this mean SFO isn't experiencing the same security checkpoint issues many other airports are? (I.e., no excessive delays, Pre-Check not being open, etc.)
2) I checked SFO's website and it says that only the domestic terminals have Pre-Check. It looks like, however, I could clear security in T3 and walk to the international terminal. Is this a) possible and b) necessary, or is there Pre-Check in the international boarding area?
May 16, 2016, 7:13 am
#2
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Yes, there is pre-check in the intl terminal. You may also use T3 security and go through the walkway after security. Many do that to access the Amex Lounge.
The non-pre-check lines can be lengthy, but I have not seen them to be as bad as in some other places.
The non-pre-check lines can be lengthy, but I have not seen them to be as bad as in some other places.
May 16, 2016, 7:34 am
#3
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Long ago when I lived in SF, the pre-check lines in international were hit or miss as to whether they were open. If the are not, going over to T3 to clear is quite easy.
I'm curious to know if SFO has been hit by the TSA problems present at other airports, since SFO is run by private security. It's now over 2 hours to clear at ORD, and pre-check is getting longer by the day.
I'm curious to know if SFO has been hit by the TSA problems present at other airports, since SFO is run by private security. It's now over 2 hours to clear at ORD, and pre-check is getting longer by the day.
May 16, 2016, 8:44 am
#4
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I was the only person at pre-check T3 about 10 days ago. I had about a 2-minute line pre-check T2.
May 17, 2016, 10:35 am
#7
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May 17, 2016, 11:36 am
#8
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My longest SFO Precheck wait was T3 at the E concourse. I suspect that line is usually longer than the one at T3-F, which is tucked away next to the T3-International-G airside bridge.
May 18, 2016, 8:27 am
#9
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May 18, 2016, 3:45 pm
#11
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Still, I haven't been to SFO in over a month. Any regulars in this forum been there? It's been bad at other airports recently (e.g., Chicago), but I have yet to see big problems on the west coast.
May 19, 2016, 7:53 am
#12
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May 23, 2016, 10:07 pm
#13
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Yeah, so no problems at the G checkpoint. The regular line looked fine too. I suspect the domestic terminals are more packed, but based on the feedback here and lack of stuff in the news it looks like SFO is at least somewhat immune from the current TSA crisis.
May 24, 2016, 11:22 am
#14
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I haven't seen any news reports on long security waits out here. I think there would be lots of coverage if there were such problems.
