Long TSA Lines [merged threads]
Apr 15, 2016 | 3:33 am
#256
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A true cynic might say that the airlines are collecting lots of re-booking fees as a result of TSA's dysfunction and therefore have every reason to support the slowdown. Not unlike the lack of airport/airline complaints over the war on water, which led to increased sales at overpriced airside shops and to more checked bags (at a price, of course) when people couldn't carry toiletries, essential work tools, etc in carry-on bags.
AA and UA, at least, have complained about the TSA slowdowns. And AA at least has adjusted its check-in cut-off times, even as that sort of undermines their competitiveness vis--vis alternative travel service providers.
Apr 15, 2016 | 11:22 am
#257
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The TSA this week is blaming the large number of passengers who missed flights in March on this: too few passengers showing up at the airport 2 or more hours before their scheduled flight.
The TSA wants to school more of us into spending even more time at airports than we already do.
The TSA wants to school more of us into spending even more time at airports than we already do.
Apr 15, 2016 | 2:38 pm
#258
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I am getting ready to become a badged employee at DIA. When I went yesterday (around 10am), the wait times were 55 mins, 35 mins and 25 mins at the 3 checkpoints. After I finished with my paperwork (around 11am), the wait times had been reduced by half. I am hoping when I get there at 4:30am on the days I work, the wait time will be considerably less. Though as a badged employee I am told I will be screened just like Pre-check (no removal of shoes). I just need to ask if I am allowed to bring in lunch or my morning coffee or is that reserved just for aircrew.
Apr 15, 2016 | 3:46 pm
#259
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The TSA this week is blaming the large number of passengers who missed flights in March on this: too few passengers showing up at the airport 2 or more hours before their scheduled flight.
The TSA wants to school more of us into spending even more time at airports than we already do.
The TSA wants to school more of us into spending even more time at airports than we already do.
Last edited by petaluma1; Apr 15, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Apr 15, 2016 | 4:54 pm
#260
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Apr 15, 2016 | 5:05 pm
#261
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Still no sign that the airlines, airports, Congress or even the public are demanding action from TSA. Looks like it's just going to be the new norm.
Apr 16, 2016 | 2:40 pm
#262
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TSA doesn't have enough screeners to properly staff checkpoint lanes but apparently they have enough to pester passengers at gates:
https://twitter.com/AskTSA/status/721433086555267072
https://twitter.com/AskTSA/status/721433086555267072
Apr 16, 2016 | 6:08 pm
#263
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Los Angeles Times:
Long lines predicted at airport security checkpoints this summer because of TSA cutbacks
Excerpt:
Forbes:Excerpt:
The longer wait times appear to result from factors including more travelers, a delay in hiring additional airport screeners and more extensive security measures adopted in the last year.
The TSA said it is authorized to have 42,500 security agents working at U.S. airports, about 7% fewer than in 2014. Meanwhile, the agency forecast that 740 million passengers will be screened at U.S. airports this year, up 12% from 2014.
In addition, TSA agents are using more thorough passenger screening tactics after terrorist attacks in Europe and news last summer that 67 of 70 fake bombs got past TSA agents as part of regular security tests. The TSA also no longer allows regular fliers to use expedited security lines known as TSA PreCheck when standard lines get long.
The TSA said it is authorized to have 42,500 security agents working at U.S. airports, about 7% fewer than in 2014. Meanwhile, the agency forecast that 740 million passengers will be screened at U.S. airports this year, up 12% from 2014.
In addition, TSA agents are using more thorough passenger screening tactics after terrorist attacks in Europe and news last summer that 67 of 70 fake bombs got past TSA agents as part of regular security tests. The TSA also no longer allows regular fliers to use expedited security lines known as TSA PreCheck when standard lines get long.
Charlotte Airport and TSA Spar Over Wait Time -- Was It Really Three Hours on Good Friday?
Excerpt:
Excerpt:
Both sides agree that on Good Friday, about 29,900 airline passengers originated travel in Charlotte, eclipsing the record of just over 29,000, set the day after the 2012 Democratic convention. On that day, Cagle said, the TSA opened 20 airport security lanes, and passenger traffic flowed smoothly. On Good Friday, he said, the agency staffed just seven.
[Kevin] Frederick [federal security director for Charlotte] said the Good Friday count included a lot of inexperienced passengers, who had never been through security, which slowed the process. TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said the agency opened seven lanes at 4:30, 15 lanes at 7 a.m. and 16 lanes at 8 a.m.
American Airlines spokeswoman Katie Cody said the carrier held several flights on Good Friday because of the long security lines. The security line was down the stairs into baggage claim at two checkpoints, she said, and about 650 American passengers missed their flights as a result of the long lines. Koshetz said some of the fault was due to backups at American ticket counters. Their lines were extensive and their lobby area was mobbed and flowing outside, she said.
[Kevin] Frederick [federal security director for Charlotte] said the Good Friday count included a lot of inexperienced passengers, who had never been through security, which slowed the process. TSA spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said the agency opened seven lanes at 4:30, 15 lanes at 7 a.m. and 16 lanes at 8 a.m.
American Airlines spokeswoman Katie Cody said the carrier held several flights on Good Friday because of the long security lines. The security line was down the stairs into baggage claim at two checkpoints, she said, and about 650 American passengers missed their flights as a result of the long lines. Koshetz said some of the fault was due to backups at American ticket counters. Their lines were extensive and their lobby area was mobbed and flowing outside, she said.
Apr 17, 2016 | 8:59 am
#264
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TSA refuses to take responsibility for the recent major increase of TSA Checkpoint wait times while it's clear from Neffenger's testimony that TSA has intentionally slowed down the screening process. TSA blaming the need for more intensive screening on the recent events in Europe is laughable. No amount of TSA type screening would have prevented those attacks and in fact what TSA is doing now would have resulted in many more dead and wounded travelers.
Neffenger has been TSA Administrator for less than a year and from a travelers perspective has totally fouled up passenger screening. I see no reasonable course forward without the termination of Neffenger and an immediate move to remove government employees from direct screening operations.
Neffenger has been TSA Administrator for less than a year and from a travelers perspective has totally fouled up passenger screening. I see no reasonable course forward without the termination of Neffenger and an immediate move to remove government employees from direct screening operations.
Apr 17, 2016 | 9:06 am
#265
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Los Angeles Times:
Forbes:
Forbes:
I'm a big believer in facts and data, and I find it particularly offensive when a very highly paid government official pulls fabrications out of his behind.
Instead of acknowledging a deliberate under-utilization of staff (over half of the checkpoints closed for hours as lines built up), the FSD of Charlotte blames three-hour waits on "a lot of inexperienced passengers, who had never been through security".
What a complete jerk. Does he have one shred of actual data to support this nonsensical assertion? Does it occur to him that significant numbers of inexperienced travelers show up at the airports during every holiday period? That there is zero reason to think this spring was any different?
He shut down over half of the lanes and, as the lines built to critical levels (3 hours waits), he still refused to fully staff all lanes. End of story. Fire the guy for dishonesty or stupidity, whichever is greater.
Apr 17, 2016 | 11:33 am
#266
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Los Angeles Times:
The TSA said it is authorized to have 42,500 security agents working at U.S. airports, about 7% fewer than in 2014. Meanwhile, the agency forecast that 740 million passengers will be screened at U.S. airports this year, up 12% from 2014.
Moreover, AFGE said that while TSA is able to hire up to 45,000 officers under an arbitrary budget cap set by Congress, the agency has not hired up to that cap.
Last edited by petaluma1; Apr 17, 2016 at 11:39 am
Apr 17, 2016 | 11:34 am
#267
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TSA refuses to take responsibility for the recent major increase of TSA Checkpoint wait times while it's clear from Neffenger's testimony that TSA has intentionally slowed down the screening process. TSA blaming the need for more intensive screening on the recent events in Europe is laughable. No amount of TSA type screening would have prevented those attacks and in fact what TSA is doing now would have resulted in many more dead and wounded travelers.
Neffenger has been TSA Administrator for less than a year and from a travelers perspective has totally fouled up passenger screening. I see no reasonable course forward without the termination of Neffenger and an immediate move to remove government employees from direct screening operations.
Neffenger has been TSA Administrator for less than a year and from a travelers perspective has totally fouled up passenger screening. I see no reasonable course forward without the termination of Neffenger and an immediate move to remove government employees from direct screening operations.
Apr 17, 2016 | 2:12 pm
#268
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Coming late to this & only because 2 relatives saw news reports/told me about it. Do we have a wiki showing which airports seem to have longest lines? Chatting w/ United they said even small airports (which I'm flying out of in 3-1/2 hours; GRR) have longer lines. On the return I'm out of LAS on an oh-dawn-hundred flight. Just trying to figure out arrival times to deal w/ slow TSA. At least on the outbound I've got pre-check. Not sure on the return.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Apr 17, 2016 | 2:43 pm
#269
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TSA has this tool http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/ to check wait times but it doesn't appear to be real time. Might help give a sense of an expected wait.
Unless you are on a full fair ticket or have status allowing changing flights seems allowing extra time for TSA's incompetence would be the best course of action.
Unless you are on a full fair ticket or have status allowing changing flights seems allowing extra time for TSA's incompetence would be the best course of action.
Apr 17, 2016 | 4:07 pm
#270
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TSA has this tool http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/ to check wait times but it doesn't appear to be real time. Might help give a sense of an expected wait.
Unless you are on a full fair ticket or have status allowing changing flights seems allowing extra time for TSA's incompetence would be the best course of action.
Unless you are on a full fair ticket or have status allowing changing flights seems allowing extra time for TSA's incompetence would be the best course of action.
Cheers.