BWI terminal D security lines are always long
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New England
Programs: WN CP & A list, FL Elite, B6, Hilton Honors VIP, Marriott Gold
Posts: 51
BWI terminal D security lines are always long
Has anyone else been frustrated by Terminal D security lines at BWI? I have been going through at different times (most afternoon 3-5pm or late 7-8pm), and every time there is a long line and it take forever, even the Elite line. Even after 7pm your lucky to have more than 1 lane open.
I hate to say it but chalk one up for Southwest, terminals A and B are a breeze! I never even need to use the fly by lane. Even terminal C for Jetblue is easier.
Although I perfer flying Airtran, gate D is a pain!
PS- good resturant though, The Green Turtle!
I hate to say it but chalk one up for Southwest, terminals A and B are a breeze! I never even need to use the fly by lane. Even terminal C for Jetblue is easier.
Although I perfer flying Airtran, gate D is a pain!
PS- good resturant though, The Green Turtle!
#2


Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Arlington, MA USA
Programs: AA LifetimeGold, WN A-ListPreferred, B6 Mosaic, ChoicePrivileges Diamond, BestWestern Diamond Select
Posts: 418
Has anyone else been frustrated by Terminal D security lines at BWI? I have been going through at different times (most afternoon 3-5pm or late 7-8pm), and every time there is a long line and it take forever, even the Elite line. Even after 7pm your lucky to have more than 1 lane open.
I hate to say it but chalk one up for Southwest, terminals A and B are a breeze! I never even need to use the fly by lane. Even terminal C for Jetblue is easier.
Although I perfer flying Airtran, gate D is a pain!
PS- good resturant though, The Green Turtle!
I hate to say it but chalk one up for Southwest, terminals A and B are a breeze! I never even need to use the fly by lane. Even terminal C for Jetblue is easier.
Although I perfer flying Airtran, gate D is a pain!
PS- good resturant though, The Green Turtle!
#3
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: DCA & BWI
Posts: 31
I fly out of BWI a lot, so I know what you're talking about. However, although the lines are often very long, I will say that they actually move much faster than you think they will.
Several times when I've arrived the line has stretched all the way down the hall, and it looks like it will take an hour to get through. So I make my way to the back of the line and watch in amusement as every person makes their way back there with the same draw-dropped expression and saying something like "I've never seen a line this long!"
In reality, the longest it's ever taken me to go from the back of that line to security is about 15 minutes. The line moves very quickly. In fact there are signs along the hall that say "10 minutes from here to security," and no one seems to believe it, but they're true!
Now, as far as the Greene Turtle, I'll also disagree with you a bit there. I ended up having lunch there a few weeks ago after a flight was delayed, and I thought the food was about average for an airport pub/restaurant. Unfortunately there aren't any great food options in terminal D, in my opinion.
Several times when I've arrived the line has stretched all the way down the hall, and it looks like it will take an hour to get through. So I make my way to the back of the line and watch in amusement as every person makes their way back there with the same draw-dropped expression and saying something like "I've never seen a line this long!"
In reality, the longest it's ever taken me to go from the back of that line to security is about 15 minutes. The line moves very quickly. In fact there are signs along the hall that say "10 minutes from here to security," and no one seems to believe it, but they're true!
Now, as far as the Greene Turtle, I'll also disagree with you a bit there. I ended up having lunch there a few weeks ago after a flight was delayed, and I thought the food was about average for an airport pub/restaurant. Unfortunately there aren't any great food options in terminal D, in my opinion.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington DC USA
Posts: 2,571
I gotta agree...there is no real good food in D. The candy store and the pretzel place are okay, but it's hard to mess those up. The restaurants are all lackluster...sadly, I think due to the much higher volume of pax in A/B all the good fast food is over there too.
I heard that D used to have a Roy Rogers, which closed. I would have even preferred that to any of the options that are there now.
I heard that D used to have a Roy Rogers, which closed. I would have even preferred that to any of the options that are there now.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Programs: AA LT Gold, UA Gold, Hyatt Plat, HHonors Gold, Priority Club Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 316
I fly out of BWI D every other week, and I'm also surprised that the OP encounters long elite lines (I never do).
I agree with the last couple comments, there are no good food options in D. Well, I guess if you like mall food courts, then you'll like what's offered in D.
I agree with the last couple comments, there are no good food options in D. Well, I guess if you like mall food courts, then you'll like what's offered in D.
#6


Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Arlington, MA USA
Programs: AA LifetimeGold, WN A-ListPreferred, B6 Mosaic, ChoicePrivileges Diamond, BestWestern Diamond Select
Posts: 418
I gotta agree...there is no real good food in D. The candy store and the pretzel place are okay, but it's hard to mess those up. The restaurants are all lackluster...sadly, I think due to the much higher volume of pax in A/B all the good fast food is over there too.
I heard that D used to have a Roy Rogers, which closed. I would have even preferred that to any of the options that are there now.
I heard that D used to have a Roy Rogers, which closed. I would have even preferred that to any of the options that are there now.
#7


Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL 1MM Diamond, UA Silver, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Spire, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 599
A bit OT, but as far as food, I was surprised by how good the chopped salads at Quiznos are...they are served with this delicious heated bread too. Just thought I would mention in case you haven't tried them. Near McDonald's and close to D21 I think.
#8

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BWI (Annapolis) & PWM (Bailey Island)
Programs: AA LT Gold (MM), WN A-List, Fairmont L/T Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 884
I've been in the lines when they extend to Terminal E & they never usually run longer than 20 minutes or so. Based on the architecture of the screening area, people usually adhere strictly to the Bell curve when picking TSA lines, so keep your eyes peeled for a scanner or two that has no one in them.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington DC USA
Posts: 2,571
#10
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: Airtran A+ Elite
Posts: 10
I went through security around 2:00pm on Monday and the lines were extremely low in security. The only hold up was that the security agents weren't moving fast enough to keep bins stocked in 2 lines. Frustrating but still very fast.
I noticed that the agents were very aware of line backups and were constantly opening up lines by opening and closing the barriers to herd us into lines faster. Maybe it was just a good day?
I noticed that the agents were very aware of line backups and were constantly opening up lines by opening and closing the barriers to herd us into lines faster. Maybe it was just a good day?
#11
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington DC USA
Posts: 2,571
I went through security around 2:00pm on Monday and the lines were extremely low in security. The only hold up was that the security agents weren't moving fast enough to keep bins stocked in 2 lines. Frustrating but still very fast.
I noticed that the agents were very aware of line backups and were constantly opening up lines by opening and closing the barriers to herd us into lines faster. Maybe it was just a good day?
I noticed that the agents were very aware of line backups and were constantly opening up lines by opening and closing the barriers to herd us into lines faster. Maybe it was just a good day?

Actually, I take that back...I can believe the part about the lines being short at 2 PM on a Monday...not exactly a prime travel time...and that the employees were moving slowly.
#12
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
I flew out of Concourse D last October on a Sunday evening and encountered a sizeable line. I was flying UA and didn't spot an Elite line, is it only for Airtran passengers?
#13


Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Arlington, MA USA
Programs: AA LifetimeGold, WN A-ListPreferred, B6 Mosaic, ChoicePrivileges Diamond, BestWestern Diamond Select
Posts: 418
It's for Elites on all airlines that use D. It's located on the far right, near the exit from airside.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington DC USA
Posts: 2,571
I flew into BWI last week and confirmed that the elite line does, in fact, exist and is marked with a fairly large sign. Unless the sign is new, that made me even more
#15

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BWI (Annapolis) & PWM (Bailey Island)
Programs: AA LT Gold (MM), WN A-List, Fairmont L/T Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 884
That sign has been there for a year maybe, it's just not really talked about (like fight club). They do seem to enforce it somewhat which makes me happy. Also, for those complaining about Terminal D security lines, head on over to C for a prime time TSA run, it has to be the most poorly designed layout. Although wide where all of the scanners are, the bottle neck in the beginning causes sheer pandemonium for those non-frequent fliers... and the elite line doesn't exactly help either.

