Security at SBA is kinda odd. Yes, it is a very small airport (terminal building) but it actually has a good number of flights. There are only a few holdrooms (which act as secure areas) so security will be long at peak times. At 5:30am on a Monday, waits can be 30+ minutes. The good news is that the airport employees do an excellent job of organzing passengers by flight while waiting to go through security, and then they let you in by flight (keep in mind, you are actually "waiting" outdoors).

For example, at 6am at the UA/DL holdroom, they will have 4-5 security lines for the LAX flight, SFO flight, DEN flight, SLC flight, etc. If you are on the LAX flight which departs at 6am, and you show up at 5:30 and see 150 people waiting, simply go ask the attendant where you should go. If they have already got your flight thru security, you will get to cut in line (this becomes learned after a while ).

Overall SBA is pretty unique as an airport. Have fun on the trips!