Originally Posted by
Xero
You're right, I do my frequent SAN-LAX-SFO/SJC runs. I remember as recently as a year ago you could show up just 30 minute before the flight and there is never a line at security. They are just all standing there waiting for a passenger to show up. Not anymore.
The first flights of the morning are the worst. AA, UA, and DL all scramble to be the first out the door so they don't have to wait in the taxi line when the airport opens at 6:30.
AA's scheduled departure is 6:20 and UA is 6:18. My last morning flight AA got out first but then the plane had to wait for 10 minutes at the end of the runway. When we rolled down the runway there was a line of about 6-7 planes with more coming.
I think anytime after these first flights in the commuter terminal are fine. I took 1:10 departure to LAX mid-week and there was no one in line to get screened.