Here are my experiences and thoughts from yesterday -

Had a flight at 6:21 am from SAN-SJC. I was told by AA (at PLT desk and by SAN AA personnel) that since the airport didn't open until 5 am to show up then.

Thought #1: Airports are going to have to rethink how early they open. (See thought #3 below.)

I attempted to leave my hotel (five minutes form the airport) at 4:40. Front desk staff
told me that the shuttle wouldn't run until 7 but to call as I was coming down and there would be a taxi waiting. Apparently the new early airport check-in caught the SAN taxi companies by suprise - the front desk had to call four companies before she got a cab for me. The cab driver was suprised too - didn't understand why he had dropped four people off at the airport already that morning.

Thought #2: Hotels, airport transport companies, and taxi operators are going to need to beef up to meet a new, more urgent need to access the airport at various hours.

Got to the airport at 5:01 am. There were only two AA flights going out before 10 am, yet there were about 200 people already in the regular check in line, and about 20 in front of me in the first class line. The regular line was actually moving faster than the first line. Many people got to the desk only to not have the documentation that AA told them they would need - ticket receipt, electronic confirmation of itinerary. Several people stood in the line who had cancelled flights and argued about accomodation on other flights.

Thought #3: AA should have opened separate lines for check-in and for reaccomodation/reservations. At the rate the line moved, several people most likely did miss our flight at 6:21.

Security had a line as well, but this was because security had not opened yet. One line was open for airport and airline staff, but all others were queued up. Regular passengers weren't processed until 5:25 but once security opened, it moved at a normal pace. I got there when the second line opened to passengers. Things appeared to be moving at the pace I was used to pre-Tuesday.

I walked right past the person who was checking ids/tickets for one line and went through the metal detector the first time without setting off the alarm (means it was still set very low). My bags were scanned and I was able to take them off the conveyor. This disturbed me and I asked for a supervisor.

I told her how disturbed I was that I just "brushed through" and THEN I had my ID/ticket examined, bag wiped and tested, and body both scanned and patted down. Of course, while I had THREE security officers attending to me, I saw the line continue to move at the previous fast pace.

The supervisor apologized and said they hadn't had adequate time to brief the staff fully before they showed up to work that day.

Thought #4: Security hasn't had time to be thoroughly re-trained on what they should be doing. They are going through the motions but probably don't fully understand the purpose of what they are doing.

Went to the Admirals Club to grab a cup of coffee. There were three agents at the desk and one other person in the club. They were suprised at how "non-busy" they were.

Thought #5: I would anticipate that club staffing will have to down if they no longer have a high volume of check-ins and if airport meeting attendees can no longer come through security to use the club. If this happens, I predict a combination of one or more of the following - more restricted club hours, fewer club amenities, increases in the price of club memberships, closure of some clubs where easy check-in was the main draw (such as the DEN AC).

... to be continued (want to save this - lighting storm outside my window!)...