First time flying VX out of SFO today (return flight to FLL), and I was gobsmacked at the crush of humanity at security for Int'l Terminal A. For an 11:10 flight, I got to the security checkpoint at about 10:15, but didn't get through to the other side until 11:00 am. Forty-five minutes in that rotten line, panicked about making my flight, crushed in with a few hundred int'l pax. I was completely unprepared for this experience, and obviously had to scrap my plans for hanging out for a leisurely drink in the NW/DL SkyClub.

Someone in line mentioned that as a VX passenger if you spend the $35 for a daypass to the VS Clubhouse, you also get shorter priority screening. Hmmm. Might have to confirm that next time.

A few nervous passengers were showing their boarding passes to screeners and getting moved to the Families/Medical Liquids line at far right. Some seemed to be premium int'l pax; others were just close to flight time. My BP said "Priority" on it, but that was just because I had paid to upgrade to Main Cabin Select. I didn't have the chutzpah to ask the screeners if that would have been enough to join the shorter line.

It did, however, save me at the gate. A baggage supervisor -- clearly not a gate agent -- pulled me aside and said all rollaboards had to be checked because the flight was very full. (In fact, it was moderately light.) I explained that I was flying MCS, and he said, "Oh, in that case go right on board." There was lots of overhead space on board... I have to wonder why he was standing around harassing people who were already stressed from just making the flight.

I wish VX would post something on their website to the effect of "While we occupy gates in Concourse A, please note that 10 am to 1 pm are peak hours for SFO international travel and lines may be an hour or more long."