How bad are the McCarran security lines really?
Feb 20, 2003 | 3:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 4,062
How bad are the McCarran security lines really?
There's a thread on the UA board about how the security line always has hundreds of people in it and can take a couple of hours to clear. I'm flying out of LAS on Saturday evening around 6:30 pm, and am wondering if I really need to get to the airport at 3:30 to get through the lines. If so, I'm going to be mightily annoyed!! If it makes a difference, I'm flying DL.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Feb 20, 2003 | 4:52 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,931
The lines aren't any longer or going any slower than I encountered last year. Unfortunately, that means to get to the C or D concourses, you could be looking at 1+ hours in the security line.
I flew out of D on Monday to catch a 10:30a flight. I got to the airport at 9a and was at the gate by about 10:10. I think it was probably about 30-40 minutes in the security line, but by the time I got to the screening point, the line behind me was about twice as long as it was when I got in.
d
I flew out of D on Monday to catch a 10:30a flight. I got to the airport at 9a and was at the gate by about 10:10. I think it was probably about 30-40 minutes in the security line, but by the time I got to the screening point, the line behind me was about twice as long as it was when I got in.
d
Feb 21, 2003 | 2:55 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 232
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Buster:
Ugh. Thanks guys. I think this is the last time I fly to Vegas...driving sounds like a much better option.</font>
Ugh. Thanks guys. I think this is the last time I fly to Vegas...driving sounds like a much better option.</font>
Feb 21, 2003 | 4:37 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 4,062
edg, I don't know where in LA you are, but I'm in the Pasadena area off the 210, and my friends have told me that with the new 210 extension (the 210 now hits the 15), it's only 3 1/2 hours to Vegas from Pasadena. That to me seems to make a lot more sense that mucking around with the airport. (And I actually want to drive to see the 210 extension!) 
Feb 22, 2003 | 10:19 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 4,062
I went through security this afternoon around 4 pm at the D Gates. I am happy to report that the lines were not long at all, we breezed right through. One interesting note: they were strictly enforcing the 1 carry-on plus 1 presonal item rule. The area leading up to the lines was littered with people trying to jam their extra bags into their carry-on. I actually saw a woman get sent back to the check-in area to check her 2 extra shopping bags.
Feb 23, 2003 | 8:49 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,783
We live in Canada, and we will be visiting Las Vegas for a week, two weeks from now. We will also be goint to Anaheim (if we fly, we will probably go to LAX, on Air Canada), and San Diego.
I am wondering which of the cities has the least problems, in terms of security lines, and in terms of having one's checked baggage/luggage checked. I have the option of going to and/or from any one of the three major airports - I will probably not use Los Angeles' other city airports, as Air Canada does not fly there.
PS-I am Star Alliance Gold - do elite flyers get a separate lane for security, in anyone of the 3 airports?
[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited 02-23-2003).]
I am wondering which of the cities has the least problems, in terms of security lines, and in terms of having one's checked baggage/luggage checked. I have the option of going to and/or from any one of the three major airports - I will probably not use Los Angeles' other city airports, as Air Canada does not fly there.
PS-I am Star Alliance Gold - do elite flyers get a separate lane for security, in anyone of the 3 airports?
[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited 02-23-2003).]
Feb 23, 2003 | 11:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SAN
Programs: UA-1K, AA-Gold, HH-Gold, MR - Gold, HY-Explorist
Posts: 222
Just came through LAS today. Security lines were ridiculously long for a Sunday mid-morning. Wait time was shortest for D terminal (NW, Delta, AA) which I cleared in roughly 50-60 minutes mainly because of good tactical choices-the lines are NOT marked, so it's basically a free for all from the minute you get your boarding pass until you can hit the checkpoint, appeared to be longest lines for A&B. They were lined up all the way across the top floor wrapped round and round and DOWN the escalator, across the lower level and to the ticket counters. Have no idea how people were expecting to make their flight.
Feb 24, 2003 | 10:19 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,895
To FlyerGoldII:
Ontario Airport is actually one of the fastest airport in LA area to get in and out of. Lines are very very short if there is any. From Ontario to Vegas is about a 3 hours drive. From Ontario, you could also take the 15 south (instead of 5) to San Diego.
Ontario Airport is actually one of the fastest airport in LA area to get in and out of. Lines are very very short if there is any. From Ontario to Vegas is about a 3 hours drive. From Ontario, you could also take the 15 south (instead of 5) to San Diego.
Feb 24, 2003 | 12:10 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Posts: 1,470
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by asquare:
Just came through LAS today. Security lines were ridiculously long for a Sunday mid-morning. Wait time was shortest for D terminal (NW, Delta, AA) which I cleared in roughly 50-60 minutes mainly because of good tactical choices-the lines are NOT marked, so it's basically a free for all from the minute you get your boarding pass until you can hit the checkpoint, appeared to be longest lines for A&B. They were lined up all the way across the top floor wrapped round and round and DOWN the escalator, across the lower level and to the ticket counters. Have no idea how people were expecting to make their flight.</font>
Just came through LAS today. Security lines were ridiculously long for a Sunday mid-morning. Wait time was shortest for D terminal (NW, Delta, AA) which I cleared in roughly 50-60 minutes mainly because of good tactical choices-the lines are NOT marked, so it's basically a free for all from the minute you get your boarding pass until you can hit the checkpoint, appeared to be longest lines for A&B. They were lined up all the way across the top floor wrapped round and round and DOWN the escalator, across the lower level and to the ticket counters. Have no idea how people were expecting to make their flight.</font>
http://www.mccarran.com/Terminal/travel.htm
I have flown out of LAS several times in the past several months and never had a problem. I flew out mostly in the later evening.
------------------
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Editor
BizTrip
www.biztrip.com
Feb 25, 2003 | 1:14 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 3,081
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by edg1:
I am going for a weekend at the end of March, which happens to coincide with the NCAA tournament, and will have to consider driving if the airport lines are going to be that long on Sunday afternoon.</font>
I am going for a weekend at the end of March, which happens to coincide with the NCAA tournament, and will have to consider driving if the airport lines are going to be that long on Sunday afternoon.</font>
Nigel
Feb 25, 2003 | 4:15 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Posts: 7,664
Flew out there am 1/3 and the lines for checkin to AA were horrendous, coach passengers were not even allowed inside the terminal and (since it was 530 am) it was 28 degrees out.
Boy did my AA plat card become the most valuable card in my wallet.
Suspect that would be the case on AM check-ins on weekend mornings especially Sundays and Mondays when lots of EC stayers are heading home.
Am going to Vegas again March 7 to 10th will report on siuation then.
Boy did my AA plat card become the most valuable card in my wallet.
Suspect that would be the case on AM check-ins on weekend mornings especially Sundays and Mondays when lots of EC stayers are heading home.
Am going to Vegas again March 7 to 10th will report on siuation then.
Feb 26, 2003 | 8:38 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 3,081
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MIKESILV:
Flew out there am 1/3 and the lines for checkin to AA were horrendous, coach passengers were not even allowed inside the terminal and (since it was 530 am) it was 28 degrees out.
Boy did my AA plat card become the most valuable card in my wallet.
Suspect that would be the case on AM check-ins on weekend mornings especially Sundays and Mondays when lots of EC stayers are heading home.
Am going to Vegas again March 7 to 10th will report on siuation then.</font>
Flew out there am 1/3 and the lines for checkin to AA were horrendous, coach passengers were not even allowed inside the terminal and (since it was 530 am) it was 28 degrees out.
Boy did my AA plat card become the most valuable card in my wallet.
Suspect that would be the case on AM check-ins on weekend mornings especially Sundays and Mondays when lots of EC stayers are heading home.
Am going to Vegas again March 7 to 10th will report on siuation then.</font>
Let me know how you get on though, I may change my mind yet again < G >
Nigel
Feb 26, 2003 | 12:29 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 2,049
3PM Monday the 24th :
The "C" gate security line was ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. It took about 45 minutes to get through. The concourse was like an oven and made the experience even more excrutiating.
Surprisingly, check-in at the WN ticket counter took only about 10 minutes.
I think you should not have much problem on a Sat evening. WN cuts back on a few flights in LAS on Sat.
hockeystl
[This message has been edited by hockeystl (edited 02-26-2003).]
[This message has been edited by hockeystl (edited 02-26-2003).]
The "C" gate security line was ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. It took about 45 minutes to get through. The concourse was like an oven and made the experience even more excrutiating.
Surprisingly, check-in at the WN ticket counter took only about 10 minutes.
I think you should not have much problem on a Sat evening. WN cuts back on a few flights in LAS on Sat.
hockeystl
[This message has been edited by hockeystl (edited 02-26-2003).]
[This message has been edited by hockeystl (edited 02-26-2003).]