SFO Security Length
 

All:

I will be in a big hurry trying to make a 4:10pm CO flight SFO-EWR today. I am in FC and have checked in online already. Does anyone have an idea as to what I should expect in terms of a wait at security? I ordinarily fly United (diff. terminal), where even the FC line has grown to about 30 minutes at this time of day on Fridays. Thanks in advance! -Ed

I haven't seen it ever over 30 minutes lately, although my afternoon experience is generally midweek and not Friday, so I am not sure if that makes any difference.

Afternoons are easy at SFO, as most flights depart in the 7am-1pm timeframe. I don't know about NW, but there is rarely even a 5 min wait at Terminal 3 after 10am.

Sorry, I don't have current info on the afternoon security line lengths for gates 1 to 17, since CO dropped SFO-HNL service around 2000.

Before the 22 June 03 BART opening, I used to cut through the International terminal on foot.
http://www.flysfo.com/guide_nonflash...erminalmap.htm

Now it is so much simpler to take the AirTrain, which loops around SFO airport. It is one level up from the departure area.
http://www.flysfo.com/guide_nonflash...o/airtrain.htm

Continental's Presidents Club is outside security, so the length of the line is important for any frequent flyer departing on CO who wants to use the lounge.

I've been flying to and from San Francisco quite a bit lately. I haven't yet seen a line for security in the afternoon or evening.

------------------
"We will not cut benefits from OnePass, our industry-leading frequent flyer program, because we remain committed to rewarding our most loyal customers."

-- Gordon Bethune (Continental's CEO) two weeks before significantly cutting benefits of the OnePass program

Several months ago all but one "team/crew" of TSA had staged a walkout, so there was only one line open which created a HUGE backup of folks. I have not seen that happen agian since but the line there frequently seems long to me and that things are always in a bit of chaos there. Always go early, you NEVER know what could be going on.