Washington, D.C. DCA Sky Club: The Definitive Thread
Jun 1, 2011, 8:27 am
#61
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
TSA has corrected its policy. With a proper travel document, such as a BP, you can enter any sterile area at the departure airport (with the very limited exception of some intl areas at some airports having nothing to do with DCA). The TSO may alert you to the fact that you are at the "wrong" terminal, but won't deny you entry. There is no sterile connector between A (DL) and B-C (UA-US) so this means double-screening. Allow yourself plenty of time for B because it handles UA, AA and part of US. All are elite-heaving xDCA meaning that premium line may mean very little.
I am not aware that the "corrected" policy exists in writing in a publicly usable form anywhere.
Also note that the DL checkpoint has the strip-search machines that are used for almost everyone, while the AA/UA/US ("B") checkpoint doesn't have them (or didn't as of a month ago). That will add extra time trying to clear security for the SkyClub.
Jun 1, 2011, 8:54 am
#62
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,775
Also note that the DL checkpoint has the strip-search machines that are used for almost everyone, while the AA/UA/US ("B") checkpoint doesn't have them (or didn't as of a month ago). That will add extra time trying to clear security for the SkyClub.
If you do get put through the other machines it definitely slows you down. I don't understand why they even have them. At DCA they pat down EVERYONE who goes through them. I don't mind the added security measures, but they need to find a way to speed up the process.
Jun 1, 2011, 9:09 am
#63
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Posts: 239
Jun 1, 2011, 9:30 am
#64
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
My experience is that if I opt out I get a full and invasive pat-down, while if I go through the machine I either get my arms patted down or a small area on my chest/back -- seems to be based on where they can't see anything. And if I go through the magnetometers, because I have a steel rod in my leg, about half the time I have the pat down as well.
Jun 8, 2011, 8:17 am
#65
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 46
Location of DCA Sky Club?
I've got a Shuttle flight early Friday evening and was hoping to be able to stop in to the SC to grab a drink before hand. I was looking at the map on the DL website and am having a hard time visualizing where the SC is in comparison to the Shuttle security line. Any help would be great. Thanks!
Jun 8, 2011, 8:25 am
#66
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: JFK/LGA
Posts: 1,423
I've got a Shuttle flight early Friday evening and was hoping to be able to stop in to the SC to grab a drink before hand. I was looking at the map on the DL website and am having a hard time visualizing where the SC is in comparison to the Shuttle security line. Any help would be great. Thanks!
Jun 8, 2011, 10:01 am
#67
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
When did the hours change- online it still says 935 PM, but I was the last one there when they closed at 9 PM last night.
Jun 8, 2011, 11:23 am
#68
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,437
Given my experiences doing just that with TSA at DCA, you have a >50% probability that you'll have to go up the food chain to gain access to a concourse other than the one the airline you're ticketed for departs from. The policy may have been corrected, but don't expect the TSA folks at the checkpoint to know that. In fact, expect them to deny that such a policy exists.
I am not aware that the "corrected" policy exists in writing in a publicly usable form anywhere.
Also note that the DL checkpoint has the strip-search machines that are used for almost everyone, while the AA/UA/US ("B") checkpoint doesn't have them (or didn't as of a month ago). That will add extra time trying to clear security for the SkyClub.
I am not aware that the "corrected" policy exists in writing in a publicly usable form anywhere.
Also note that the DL checkpoint has the strip-search machines that are used for almost everyone, while the AA/UA/US ("B") checkpoint doesn't have them (or didn't as of a month ago). That will add extra time trying to clear security for the SkyClub.
Does anyone have anything like that? Link? Scan?
That could help me immensely with my newly purchased CO Prez club membership to always get into lounges anywhere really. : )
Jun 8, 2011, 12:24 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Romanian Riviera
Programs: Delta, Turkish Elite, American
Posts: 1,111
Any recent experience of getting through security with a non-Delta ticket to use to the Sky Club? My sister was supposed to fly United out of Dulles tonight, but her flight was canceled and rebooked to US Air out of Reagan tomorrow. I'm flying out Delta at the same time and would like to bring her in. Should I expect any issues from TSA?
Jun 8, 2011, 12:35 pm
#70
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,437
Nice I just hope that policy has been relayed to *ALL* airports and employees are actually listening and not sleeping...
Jun 8, 2011, 1:09 pm
#71
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,621
Dec 18, 2011, 8:39 am
#72
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat-ist, Bonvoyyyyyyed, Hilton $15 Daily F&B Receiver, Food Lion MVP
Posts: 1,203
I'm having issues connecting to the tmobile wifi at the club currently. I'm on the DCA public wifi broadcasting from downstairs, but would rather be on the (faster?) SC wifi.
I'm pretty tech savvy so either I'm being a total twit or something is wrong. Any ideas?
I'm pretty tech savvy so either I'm being a total twit or something is wrong. Any ideas?
Dec 18, 2011, 10:07 am
#74
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AS, SQ, SPG, IHG
Posts: 319
I've had trouble connecting to the Sky Club wi-fi lately as well--there simply doesn't seem to be enough bandwidth for all the people using the connection. DCA's free wi-fi is sometimes much faster, so I wouldn't worry too much. Enjoy your Biscoff!
Mar 2, 2019, 7:51 am
#75
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Three or four photographers with all sorts of studio lighting and curtains were in the Sky Club at Reagan this morning, taking pictures and video. Among the subjects was the buffet, but they didn't pay much attention because the napkins were still in plastic wrap and the food wasn't refreshed before they started shooting.