Originally Posted by RichMSN
Manage MY time? So when I show up at a peak time and there is ONE line open out of a potential three lines that could be open and I have to wait an extra 20-30 minutes, this is MY failure to manage time properly?
The problem with the lines could be mitigated substantially if the sheeple would stop taking off their belts and tennis shoes every time they go through. Imagine all the time savings that would result if people were told that they didn't have to remove non-profile shoes! Instead, screeners just stand and watch people get undressed unnecessarily.
I shouldn't have to budget an extra hour of my day to deal with this crap. If I fly 2-3x a week, that's an extra 4-6 hours of my life wasted.
I think you would agree that if you show up at the airport less than an hour before
departure time, then you are pretty much at risk of missing the flight. Most airlines start boarding 20 to 30 minutes before departure time and start calling stand-bys at approximately 10 minutes before departure time. If you reverse it from boarding time to include a reasonable expected time in the line to check-in (if applicable) and security, I think you would agree that it's prudent to plan on being inside the airport ready to stand in line no less than an hour to an hour-and-a-half prior to departure time, depending on several other factors (turning in rental cars, transportation to the departure terminal, etc.) Add in time for unexpected surprises such as the pocketknife you forget was in your carry-on, and I don't see what's so unreasonable about planning ahead. I'm not saying you should show up half a day prior to departure. I am saying that if you think you can rush to the airport within an hour of the scheduled departure time, then you are increasing the risk of getting caught behind a long line either at security or to the ticket counter, being a selectee and having to undergo the full Monty, and having to deal with a prohibited item in your carry-on.
If you travel as frequently as you claim, then you probably ensure that your carry-ons don't have any prohibited items inside. Furthermore, if you travel as often as you claim, then your criticism of infrequent travelers who take longer to process through the walk-thru is invalid because you would accept this as a reality of mass transportation. If not, then you are living in a dream world, my friend.
Failure of your ability to plan ahead does not constitute an emergency for me. Key word here is reasonable planning.
As for lane closures, again, open your eyes. Congress is holding TSA's feet to the fire on the 45,000 screener workforce limit. TSA has repeatedly explained that it needs at least 55,000 to properly man the nation's checkpoints, but it falls on deaf ears. Deal with that reality, friend. We screeners have no choice but to work within the limitations placed upon us.