Priority security lane at SFO?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, US
Posts: 424
Priority security lane at SFO?
Is it still the case that there is no priority security lane at SFO (for the concourse that VX occupies)?
I thought that I'd read somewhere that SFO had added one, but I can't seem to find the post.
Assuming that there is one, is it likely to be open at around 8:00 AM on a Friday?
Thanks for any information!
I thought that I'd read somewhere that SFO had added one, but I can't seem to find the post.
Assuming that there is one, is it likely to be open at around 8:00 AM on a Friday?
Thanks for any information!
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,212
As of a few weeks ago (my last trip through the int'l terminal) there were no priority security lines. Even during the afternoon rush when you have three or four European flights plus VX flights going out, the line is never an issue and is probably the best run check-point in the airport.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Mucci (for services to Gin), VS Au, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Avis Pref+, Hertz 5*
Posts: 980
There is a priority lane, it is called CLEAR and you have to pony up $129 and a pound of flesh to the TSA to get it. Oh and it is only open until 1pm in the Intl Terminal.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Mucci (for services to Gin), VS Au, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Avis Pref+, Hertz 5*
Posts: 980
Which side of the Intl Terminal? I was flying out of the A gates on NW two weeks ago and Clear was closed and I was told there was no priority security line, nor could I see one.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
In any event, it sounds like they tried to implement something but didn't follow-through.
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
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This was on the A side. My husband and I were flying VX F and the VX agent stamped "Premium" on our boarding passes. The agent told us to use the "Premium" line just next to the Clear lane. Sure enough, there was a lane right next to the Clear lane that had a standing sign marked "Premium" passengers. It was closed, but a TSA agent opened it for us when we showed her our boarding passes. When we got to the ID checker, he told us that we were in the "family and medical liquids" lane and that there was no such thing as a "Premium" lane. We pointed out the sign and he seemed surprised.
In any event, it sounds like they tried to implement something but didn't follow-through.
In any event, it sounds like they tried to implement something but didn't follow-through.
I've seen these 'Experienced Traveller' aisles at airports before where it mentions Elite status as a qualifier to gain access but the TSA folks never seem to enforce it, oh and it says you can go into that lane if you fly more than twice a month. Huh?!
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
That doesn't sound like the TSA to me!
I've seen these 'Experienced Traveller' aisles at airports before where it mentions Elite status as a qualifier to gain access but the TSA folks never seem to enforce it, oh and it says you can go into that lane if you fly more than twice a month. Huh?!
I've seen these 'Experienced Traveller' aisles at airports before where it mentions Elite status as a qualifier to gain access but the TSA folks never seem to enforce it, oh and it says you can go into that lane if you fly more than twice a month. Huh?!
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Mucci (for services to Gin), VS Au, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Avis Pref+, Hertz 5*
Posts: 980
I was at SFO today in the Intl terminal and I searched high and low for this lane, yet it was nowhere to be found. It was probably too confusing or angered the CLEAR folks, I mean why pay if you can get it for free.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
Apparently a very short lived premium lane. Premium passengers don't usually fly out of international terminals anyway, right?
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA (PPro/3MM/Admirals Club), AS, UA, Marriott (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Accor (Plat)
Posts: 2,602
As of a few weeks ago (my last trip through the int'l terminal) there were no priority security lines. Even during the afternoon rush when you have three or four European flights plus VX flights going out, the line is never an issue and is probably the best run check-point in the airport.
The security line in Intl A was much less annoying than the line for AS/WN/CO in terminal 1, where they now seem to merge the premium passengers at the end of the regular line after the id check.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Portland
Posts: 11,571
Just went through. Other then CLEAR, everyone goes through the same set of lines. However, the lines split into several id check points, and I was through in < 15 minutes (despite it looking a little daunting when I first entered the line).
The security line in Intl A was much less annoying than the line for AS/WN/CO in terminal 1, where they now seem to merge the premium passengers at the end of the regular line after the id check.
The security line in Intl A was much less annoying than the line for AS/WN/CO in terminal 1, where they now seem to merge the premium passengers at the end of the regular line after the id check.