"Please plan to arrive at least 2 hours before departure..."
Jun 13, 2018, 10:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 92
"Please plan to arrive at least 2 hours before departure..."
I received from DAL today a "Stay on top of TSA changes" email this morning offering tips on how to stay on top of "the busy summer travel season."
Among those tips was "For your upcoming domestic flight please plan to arrive at least 2 hours before departure..."
For domestic trips I generally arrive one hour prior to push, and the two-hour suggestion strikes me as over the top. I suppose at some chronically slow airports, but I can't imagine in most cases getting there two hours early.
Am I being naive?
Among those tips was "For your upcoming domestic flight please plan to arrive at least 2 hours before departure..."
For domestic trips I generally arrive one hour prior to push, and the two-hour suggestion strikes me as over the top. I suppose at some chronically slow airports, but I can't imagine in most cases getting there two hours early.
Am I being naive?
Jun 13, 2018, 10:49 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc etc etc
Posts: 2,341
I received from DAL today a "Stay on top of TSA changes" email this morning offering tips on how to stay on top of "the busy summer travel season."
Among those tips was "For your upcoming domestic flight please plan to arrive at least 2 hours before departure..."
For domestic trips I generally arrive one hour prior to push, and the two-hour suggestion strikes me as over the top. I suppose at some chronically slow airports, but I can't imagine in most cases getting there two hours early.
Am I being naive?
Among those tips was "For your upcoming domestic flight please plan to arrive at least 2 hours before departure..."
For domestic trips I generally arrive one hour prior to push, and the two-hour suggestion strikes me as over the top. I suppose at some chronically slow airports, but I can't imagine in most cases getting there two hours early.
Am I being naive?
This should have gone to people with no status, this email seems like one that was meant to inform people who fly once a year.
Jun 13, 2018, 11:01 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,885
I have received two of these emails in the last couple days. The food thing is going to trip up the people that fly once or twice a year, so if you are going to be in the regular TSA line, 2 hours is a good idea. Couple that with summer road construction in my area shutting down major interstates and traffic jams getting to the terminal b/c cars are allowed to pull up to the terminal and wait for people arriving, I don't think these emails are unwarranted. I will give myself a bit of extra time at my home airport.
Jun 13, 2018, 11:08 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
My returning international flight yesterday was a suggested three hours from HKG. We were late leaving the hotel and had about two hours when we got to the airport. No problem. With Sky Priority no wait to check in. Wasn't too bad going through customs and security. We could have stopped at the lounge, but since they started check in about 55 minutes before departure, we decided to wait on line and settle into our business seats.
Jun 13, 2018, 11:13 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: HSV
Programs: Bellevue Lifetime Premiere Mega Elite Supreme
Posts: 1,509
I wonder if TSA specifically requested airlines to send the announcements out. Maybe they’re seeing an uptick in missed flights, or maybe they’re planning to introduce new screening measures that might cause added delays and are heading that off with advance notices.
Jun 13, 2018, 11:16 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,776
I got this email as well, but I don't think this applies to people using PreCheck. Taking out small electronic devices, such as phones, has been going on since January for the normal lines, but in PreCheck it's the same old routine. (At least it was as late as last Friday when I flew)
I think this is also Delta preemptively telling tourists to expect long security lines.
I think this is also Delta preemptively telling tourists to expect long security lines.
Jun 13, 2018, 12:01 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,949
I received this too but had assumed it was unique to SEA, where security likes have become comically long in the last few months even for PreCheck. With Clear, it’s never an issue, of course. But there have been days where the line snakes all the way out to the curb by the check in desks and then back to the concourse because there are so many people waiting.... and when that happens even PreCheck appears to be a 20-30 minute wait.
I think the “removing all food” rule that’s new may be part of the motivation for sending this message, as well as reaching novice summer travelers. I agree that elites should have gotten a different version...
I think the “removing all food” rule that’s new may be part of the motivation for sending this message, as well as reaching novice summer travelers. I agree that elites should have gotten a different version...
Jun 13, 2018, 12:03 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/20...deral-airports
It looks like the TSA has some recommendations for powders, but no new restrictions.
It looks like the TSA has some recommendations for powders, but no new restrictions.
Jun 13, 2018, 12:07 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
I've never noticed that before either. That's definitely new. I do the same and have brought liter sized bags of protein powder on before with no issue. It would suck if it now is subject to the 3 oz rule. I suppose I could break it up in to daily servings instead of a weeks worth in one container but that's pointless effort. Plus if I'm carrying a week's worth that would take up the majority of my 1 liter bag.
Jun 13, 2018, 12:10 pm
#13
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Programs: DL 2MM/PM, HH LT <>, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,283
Taking food out applies even if you are precheck. Nowadays I give 'em a good look at the apple (or any food) in my carry on and pull it out ahead of time. Don't think it applies to you? You may be delayed for a secondary.
That said, I have no intention of arriving two hours ahead as a rule.
Jim (precheck, GE, Clear, Skypriority )
That said, I have no intention of arriving two hours ahead as a rule.
Jim (precheck, GE, Clear, Skypriority )
Jun 13, 2018, 12:14 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 300
A handful of times, my wife has bought bath salts while on a trip. The TSA screeners always flag the bag and pull it aside for extra screening. Usually just a quick visual confirmation of the package is good enough. I wonder if dense powders block the x-rays so they just want to get a visual confirmation.
Last edited by yaychemistry; Jun 13, 2018 at 12:15 pm Reason: clarity
Jun 13, 2018, 12:16 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
From the above-referenced link:
TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate other items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.