Originally Posted by mikeef
I went through the AA checkpoint in Las Vegas last week and was just floored by the inefficiency. First, there was an hour long wait just to get to the first person who checks your boarding pass and identification (I have long since given up on my "Oh, so the terrorists can make bombs but can't get fake ID's?" argument). Since that process takes so long, there is then a huge gap in the and only a few people waiting to get through the metal detectors at any time. Then, you have to hold your boarding pass in your hand as you pass through the metal detector to be inspected by another employee. Finally, not even five feet in front of the metal detector, sits an employee who checks the boarding pass yet again. There is no way that anyone could make it through the metal detector without being checked, so I can't imagine what that third person is doing there.
Wouldn't it be better if that third person at the desk served as a "rover," moving up and down the hour-long line and checking people's id's while they waited? He could put a special stamp on the BP. This would clear up the bottleneck at the first ID check, as well as the people standing around right after the metal detector.
Mike
LAS is absolutely ridicilous when it comes to the concourse D checkpoint. I always purchase a First Class ticket when flying to/from LAS to avoid this nightmare.
At LAS for concourse D, they have a First Class line which has always been short, but they will not accept FFers with Elite status in this line. Even though I am a Plat with NW which provides unlimited domestic upgrades (except Hawaii), I always purchase an FC seat to play it safe.
For others who have to deal with LAS, D concourse, I suggest you look into purchasing an F ticket or a Y-up type ticket to get an F seat (the discount F, if available, would probably be cheaper than a Y-up). From many cities, discounted, advance purchase F fares can be found. SDF-LAS was about $500~ when I purchased it last, while the cheapest economy was $300 return.
When going to the security checkpoint at LAS and being able to bypass the hundreds of people lined up, that extra $200-$300 is often worth it. On the other hand, if you happen to buy the F ticket and the lines are short, just think you have the paid, guaranteed F seat along with the extra mileage that goes with it.
SDF_Traveler