MSP Checkpoint 4 Changes
Oct 7, 2013 | 8:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Western Wisconsin
Programs: DL DM, HH Devalued Diamond, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 799
MSP Checkpoint 4 Changes
When I checked my bag Sunday at the SkyPriority counter, they had small notes sitting there related to an upcoming change to checkpoint 4. I believe the date on it was 10/10 but I am getting old and might be mistaken.
Once changed, the SkyPriority will remain on the north side where the bag check is but TSA Precheck will move to the south side of the checkpoint. This means all gen-pop fliers (not with an elite) must use a different checkpoint.
I like this change!
Once changed, the SkyPriority will remain on the north side where the bag check is but TSA Precheck will move to the south side of the checkpoint. This means all gen-pop fliers (not with an elite) must use a different checkpoint.
I like this change!
Oct 7, 2013 | 8:20 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Why do you like this change? It sounds like it will be bad for elites, with the kettle line in the middle and no line dragon to guard PreCheck since I don't think DL will assign a second employee to control access.
Oct 7, 2013 | 8:23 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, Sky Club
Posts: 589
Oct 7, 2013 | 8:31 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: DL: GM, HH: Gold
Posts: 25
As I was going through Checkpoint 4 last night the TSA guy told me that starting Thursday his line would be 3 times as long as what it currently was. He couldn't tell me why, but he said it wouldn't impact people already enrolled in pre check. Not sure what he meant, but I guess this is why?
Oct 7, 2013 | 8:55 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
IIRC the entrance to both PreCheck and the SkyPriority line is controlled by a single dragon, who also guards the entrance to the SkyPriority check in and bag drop area. PreCheck and SkyPriority are sent through different paths in the velvet rope maze, with PreCheck going closer to the check in counters and ending at the X-ray machine and metal detector at the far right. SkyPriority seems to go more toward the middle, while kettles approach from the left side.
Oct 7, 2013 | 9:36 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, Sky Club
Posts: 589
When I used it a couple of weeks ago, it was "all-comers". No SP necessary as the line was outside of SP, running parallel to the "rope". I'll be there later this afternoon and will post what I find.
Oct 7, 2013 | 9:37 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Western Wisconsin
Programs: DL DM, HH Devalued Diamond, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 799
There are 2 dragons there today...one to get into the SP counter/line and the other stands at the Precheck line to look or scan your BP for 3 beeps. I don't see any difference in the propsed change except that the south end will no longer have kettles. CP 4 will be only SP and TSAPre.
As for the comment about the line getting worse on Thursday - most likely related but not sure why it would be worse.
As for the comment about the line getting worse on Thursday - most likely related but not sure why it would be worse.
Oct 7, 2013 | 10:08 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Bonvoy Platinum, Emerald Club Executive Elite
Posts: 2,414
My understanding is TSA Pre is going to 2-3 X-ray belts, instead of 1-2.
This weekend, the line for Pre was nothing, but the SkyPriority line at CP4 was insane. A big part of that is because the ID checker would alternate with the regular passenger line.Now there will be more room for Pre (which will help during the weekday morning rush) and a dedicated ID checked for Sky Priority.
Should be a big improvement to the security experience for elite passengers.
PS: It's really amazing how much faster Pre is than Sky Priority. My wife was traveling with me on Saturday morning and I whipped through pre in about 2 minutes. She spent almost 15 minutes waiting in the Sky Priority line. Hope this change improves that.
This weekend, the line for Pre was nothing, but the SkyPriority line at CP4 was insane. A big part of that is because the ID checker would alternate with the regular passenger line.Now there will be more room for Pre (which will help during the weekday morning rush) and a dedicated ID checked for Sky Priority.
Should be a big improvement to the security experience for elite passengers.
PS: It's really amazing how much faster Pre is than Sky Priority. My wife was traveling with me on Saturday morning and I whipped through pre in about 2 minutes. She spent almost 15 minutes waiting in the Sky Priority line. Hope this change improves that.
Oct 7, 2013 | 10:18 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
MSP Checkpoint 4 has been a disaster at times ever since TSA decided to let kettles use it too. It was almost always fine when it was SkyPriority only, but the alternating routine has caused a mess. However, it was worse when PreCheck had to wait in the SkyPriority line before they could reach the employee who checked for the three beeps and pointed to the gate to the PreCheck lane.
Oct 7, 2013 | 10:18 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,943
IIRC the entrance to both PreCheck and the SkyPriority line is controlled by a single dragon, who also guards the entrance to the SkyPriority check in and bag drop area. PreCheck and SkyPriority are sent through different paths in the velvet rope maze, with PreCheck going closer to the check in counters and ending at the X-ray machine and metal detector at the far right. SkyPriority seems to go more toward the middle, while kettles approach from the left side.
I will be flying on Friday so I will make it a point to see what CP4 looks like then. I have both GE and GM status so I should get into the CP4 one way or another!
Oct 7, 2013 | 10:21 am
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Been there many times and this is incorrect. SP check-in/baggage drop is not controlled by DL employees. SP/TSA Pre-Check security line is controlled by a DL employee who then get sent through different paths.
I will be flying on Friday so I will make it a point to see what CP4 looks like then. I have both GE and GM status so I should get into the CP4 one way or another!
I will be flying on Friday so I will make it a point to see what CP4 looks like then. I have both GE and GM status so I should get into the CP4 one way or another!
Oct 7, 2013 | 10:26 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,943
Oct 7, 2013 | 10:32 am
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Oct 7, 2013 | 11:44 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Bonvoy Platinum, Emerald Club Executive Elite
Posts: 2,414
Been there many times and this is incorrect. SP check-in/baggage drop is not controlled by DL employees. SP/TSA Pre-Check security line is controlled by a DL employee who then get sent through different paths.
I will be flying on Friday so I will make it a point to see what CP4 looks like then. I have both GE and GM status so I should get into the CP4 one way or another!
I will be flying on Friday so I will make it a point to see what CP4 looks like then. I have both GE and GM status so I should get into the CP4 one way or another!
Oct 7, 2013 | 12:10 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
I usually just see one who directs people into the SkyPriority and PreCheck lines and also monitors access to the SkyPriority check in area, although sometimes I notice two agents standing together around the entrance to both areas. I suspect that staffing could depend on time of day, day of week, and whether someone is taking a break.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Oct 7, 2013 at 1:43 pm Reason: typo