Dulles Diamond Checkpoint
Jun 29, 2011, 1:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
Dulles Diamond Checkpoint
Hi everyone-
Thanks for answering all my questions about the Dulles airport for my upcoming trip. I'm a bit nervous, thus all the questions
I understand if I want to clear security before 5 am I will have to clear the Diamond or the "Employee" checkpoint. Is it true there is no way to opt out of the AIT / body scanners at this checkpoint?
If it is true no opt out is available, is there an opt out available at the employee checkpoint? Please let me know. Thanks in advance for your help!
Thanks for answering all my questions about the Dulles airport for my upcoming trip. I'm a bit nervous, thus all the questions
I understand if I want to clear security before 5 am I will have to clear the Diamond or the "Employee" checkpoint. Is it true there is no way to opt out of the AIT / body scanners at this checkpoint?
If it is true no opt out is available, is there an opt out available at the employee checkpoint? Please let me know. Thanks in advance for your help!
Jun 29, 2011, 1:15 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Whenever, wherever (within the US) you're selected for the nude-o-meters, you can opt out ... period (that is a travel safety/security type question and see that forum if you want the miniutaie but really just tell the guy you opt out, and you'll be put to the side until someone can do the pat down)
As far as the security line, at that hour - figure on using the entrance for the employees -- its on the baggage claim level, probably around claim #6/7 and well marked. There might be a bit of a wait, if the TSA isn't well staffed and the employees are probably given priority.
As far as the security line, at that hour - figure on using the entrance for the employees -- its on the baggage claim level, probably around claim #6/7 and well marked. There might be a bit of a wait, if the TSA isn't well staffed and the employees are probably given priority.
Jun 30, 2011, 3:16 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
The two main security mezzanines are open 5am-10pm. The Dulles Diamond security checkpoint (between baggage carousels 8-10) is open 4am-6pm.
The Employee/Crew security checkpoint (between baggage carousels 7-8) is always open. Passengers are processed at this checkpoint between 10pm-4am.
The Employee/Crew security checkpoint (between baggage carousels 7-8) is always open. Passengers are processed at this checkpoint between 10pm-4am.
Sep 25, 2011, 12:47 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
This thread might be of interest:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/washi...g-changes.html
The Dulles Diamond Checkpoint is becoming an exclusively disabled checkpoint.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/washi...g-changes.html
The Dulles Diamond Checkpoint is becoming an exclusively disabled checkpoint.
Sep 26, 2011, 5:49 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
This thread might be of interest:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/washi...g-changes.html
The Dulles Diamond Checkpoint is becoming an exclusively disabled checkpoint.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/washi...g-changes.html
The Dulles Diamond Checkpoint is becoming an exclusively disabled checkpoint.
Oct 24, 2011, 5:49 am
#8
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AS MPVG
Posts: 482
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9800; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.8+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.0.600 Mobile Safari/534.8+)
I think it's too soon to tell, but it was very busy this morning--I was tempted to walk to the regular line.
I showed up at the normal line last week, however, saw it was long and painful, then trekked all the way back to the diamond line, where the wait was manageable. I think I was still better off even with all the back-tracking.
This morning they were loudly and repeatedly call for people to remove liquids (I haven't done so at a major US airport in year) that I dared not risk it. So yes, it's becoming less pleasant.
Originally Posted by GottaGoFlying
The Diamond lane is really no longer worth the walk. Generally the west side security check-point is your best bet.
I showed up at the normal line last week, however, saw it was long and painful, then trekked all the way back to the diamond line, where the wait was manageable. I think I was still better off even with all the back-tracking.
This morning they were loudly and repeatedly call for people to remove liquids (I haven't done so at a major US airport in year) that I dared not risk it. So yes, it's becoming less pleasant.
Last edited by FBKSan; Oct 24, 2011 at 5:50 am
Dec 19, 2011, 12:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: 95% IAD, 5% EDI
Programs: BA Blue, United GM, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 220
Flying out in a couple of days (trying to beat the holiday rush). Is it still the case that the old diamond lane is no longer worth the bother? Or have things quietened down a little since the changes?
Also, one of the posters mentioned that the west side security is the best bet. Is that the BA/Delta side or the United side (I assume the former, looking at the google map).
Also, one of the posters mentioned that the west side security is the best bet. Is that the BA/Delta side or the United side (I assume the former, looking at the google map).
Dec 19, 2011, 2:13 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: UA 2.5MM; HH Diamond; Hyatt Platinum; MR Gold
Posts: 1,355
Is it still the case that the old diamond lane is no longer worth the bother? Or have things quietened down a little since the changes?
Also, one of the posters mentioned that the west side security is the best bet. Is that the BA/Delta side or the United side (I assume the former, looking at the google map).
Also, one of the posters mentioned that the west side security is the best bet. Is that the BA/Delta side or the United side (I assume the former, looking at the google map).
Dec 19, 2011, 4:10 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: 95% IAD, 5% EDI
Programs: BA Blue, United GM, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 220
I've found the old diamond lane to be hit or miss -- sometimes it's great, but sometimes the line extends outside the entrance to the lane. It's at least worth a look. And yes, the west side security is the Delta/SWA/BA side. I've almost always found that side to be less bad than the UA side.
Sep 6, 2012, 4:36 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member
Posts: 1,407
Dulles Diamond Lane now closed
Dulles Diamond Lane or checkpoint closed on Sept 5 due to the TSA security checkpoint that will be coming, but that won't start until Sep 25.