FRA security
 

I wonder if anyone can report on FRA to US security. CDG - ORD this past week was very unpleasant and I don't want a repeat. Thanks...

I can't comment specifically on the security for an AA flight, but I traveled on LH last week from FRA to BOS, and security was rather unpleasant.

All the US bound flights were grouped together at the end of the concourse, and there was an additional screening point for all US bound pax. There were a lot of US flights leaving around the same time, so I'd say there were probably about 80 people waiting in the 5 lines. The J/F line was a little better, with about 15 people waiting for 2 lines.

The delays were a result of wanding/groping every single passenger - including all infants and children. Children were not allowed to hold a parent's hand, resulting in quite a few objections.

Security screeners were opening most carry on bags, though hardly seemed to be looking inside on most occassions. As ever, the level of scrutiny was based on which line you were in - I was allowed a small bottle of lotion (which the screener even picked up, looked at, and placed back in), but I also got grilled on my little digital camera and why I had a second battery.

Not sure if things have mellowed out a bit over the last week, but I'd allow a little extra time!

This does not sound all that different than the normal level of security at FRA, which requires one to go through two security screens.

FRA is the same zoo that it always is (has been for the past 3 years) for US bound flights. The non-F/J security line is often an hour long, and I don't think it is any worse now (but I haven't been there since Aug. 10). How bad it is primarily depends upon which departure you are taking, I've learned to avoid the morning flights and take the afternoon one, much shorter lines and more pleasant experience. There are simply too many flights leaving at the same time, and when the security is heightened (as it might now be, given the German terrorist findings), it becomes very slow. I've changed my routings to be via MAD, not sure if that is really better, but will find out in a couple of days. I think MAD is probably the best point of departure from Europe for US bound flights (this week).

The 2nd security screening for US and UK flights at FRA has been there for many years.

add to this that the AC in FRA is outside security

Well, at least you don't miss much! It's a pretty dindgy club anyway. The old furniture and decor reminds me of somebody's basement.

But as it's outside of security, it does make for a nice arrivals lounge (and does have showers).

BTW, I've never flown from FRA to the US, only to the UK, so I know that BA's lounge is inside security. Can AA passengers access the BA lounge, or is it in a different section of the airport?

(Note, I'm not looking for another discussion of who is entitled to access what lounge, I'm just asking whether the proximity of the BA lounge to the AA departure gates is such that an AA passenger can get to the BA lounge!)

right - but the smokey small gate area is worse...so you are missing the ability to get through security early then relax at the AC...so you actually do miss a lot!

I agree with this. There are far worse places to sit in FRA than the AC.

I haven't been on a FRA-US flight since late May, but I had pretty much the same experience as schmare. The first line took quite a while as they screened/groped every passenger (I thought the lady who screened me owed me dinner and a drink afterwards, she was so, um, thorough). The second line down at the end of the terminal also involved another wanding and luggage screening, but they only searched my bag at the first checkpoint. The screener there made me take everything out of my bag and then put it back through the x-ray. He did the same to the lady behind me, who tried to argue with him about it. He was quite stern with her.

I just came back from Germany on Saturday. Flight #83 FRA-ORD. Security took all of 2 minutes. Pretty normal. I travel to FRA about every 6-8 weeks. If I don't go through ORD I go through DFW. Just asking for trouble doing the stop in the UK. Nothing but a pain.

It is in the other terminal, quite far from AA. But more to the point, it is a dismal lounge, making the AC seem luxurious and palatial (it is not a Terraces lounge, and in sore need of being eliminated). Finally BA generally invokes the capacity constraint rule and doesn't even allow BA Silver into the lounge, much less OW elites, only Golds and those flying CE on BA.

I had forgotten how bad it was until you reminded me. Down in the basement. Always crowded. No significant advantage to waiting at the gate and, in fact, if you're claustrophobic, perhaps a disadvantage.

Can't comment on AA flights, but I flew FRA-LAX on LH on Aug 11. Flight was delayed due to security delays, though I saw none of it - then again I flew F so used the FCT and was driven to the plane and escorted aboard. In the FCT security is seamless - they even took my shoes from me and handed them back to me with a shoehorn!!! The security screening area in the FCT feels like The Wing. Passports/documents were taken away and everything (APIS) completed, and docs handed back as we left the FCT. I never saw a line.

The LH F ground handling in FRA is truly remarkable - redefines the travel experience.