IAD Diamond Checkpoint Upcoming Changes
Aug 18, 2011 | 5:39 pm
#1
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IAD Diamond Checkpoint Upcoming Changes
I'm hearing that the Dulles Diamond Checkpoint is being rebranded as a special needs checkpoint that will serve wheelchair passengers and large groups. No idea when this will take effect, but I'm guessing they will not be allowing "expert" travelers into the queue anymore. We won't know for sure until it happens though.
Aug 18, 2011 | 5:47 pm
#2
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Isn't the checkpoint already for the disabled in practice? The effect of this change will be mostly in name, rather than function.
Last edited by 14940674; Aug 18, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Aug 18, 2011 | 6:09 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Not at all. Right now the Dulles Diamond TSA checkpoint is available to any traveler (at least until it closes at 6pm). When the change occurs, it will no longer be available to anyone - only "special needs" passengers and groups.
Aug 18, 2011 | 7:08 pm
#4
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I understand the official policy of the checkpoint; however, in my understanding, derived from FT threads, the checkpoint is usually clogged with the disabled, which severely diminished its utility. While available to all, in practice it mostly serves disabled passengers. If my understanding is mistaken then I apologize. I have never used it, so I have no first-person information.
Aug 18, 2011 | 9:12 pm
#6
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Aug 18, 2011 | 9:17 pm
#7
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Exactly what has improved? The opening of the LH lounge? Whoopee !?! It doesn't do it for me, neither does the rest of B
and I haven't even started on the parking situation from a cost perspective, as well as reliability of the vans (which is on/off improved) for the remote lot and the too long ride to the terminal.
Aug 18, 2011 | 9:37 pm
#8
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The newly expanded IAB is much nicer and more efficient than its predecessor. The new security checkpoint is very nice, and would be even better if the TSA staffed it correctly. The AeroTrain is lovely and very convenient to for A and B gates. The fourth runway allows increased operations.
While the UA experience at Dulles sucks, the traveler experience for other airlines is superb.
While the UA experience at Dulles sucks, the traveler experience for other airlines is superb.
Aug 18, 2011 | 10:05 pm
#9
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I understand the official policy of the checkpoint; however, in my understanding, derived from FT threads, the checkpoint is usually clogged with the disabled, which severely diminished its utility. While available to all, in practice it mostly serves disabled passengers. If my understanding is mistaken then I apologize. I have never used it, so I have no first-person information.
Aug 18, 2011 | 10:06 pm
#10
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The newly expanded IAB is much nicer and more efficient than its predecessor. The new security checkpoint is very nice, and would be even better if the TSA staffed it correctly. The AeroTrain is lovely and very convenient to for A and B gates. The fourth runway allows increased operations.
While the UA experience at Dulles sucks, the traveler experience for other airlines is superb.
While the UA experience at Dulles sucks, the traveler experience for other airlines is superb.
Aug 18, 2011 | 10:22 pm
#11
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I think we can both agree that Dulles desperately needs a new UA concourse, and if it is build properly the airport will greatly improve.
Back to the subject at hand: Does the Dulles Diamond contain the Casual lane, or just the Expert one? Does the TSA enforce the rules of the checkpoint; ie scolding those who take too much time to clear, and are unfamiliar with TSA procedures?
Back to the subject at hand: Does the Dulles Diamond contain the Casual lane, or just the Expert one? Does the TSA enforce the rules of the checkpoint; ie scolding those who take too much time to clear, and are unfamiliar with TSA procedures?
Aug 19, 2011 | 5:13 am
#12
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I think we can both agree that Dulles desperately needs a new UA concourse, and if it is build properly the airport will greatly improve.
Back to the subject at hand: Does the Dulles Diamond contain the Casual lane, or just the Expert one? Does the TSA enforce the rules of the checkpoint; ie scolding those who take too much time to clear, and are unfamiliar with TSA procedures?
Back to the subject at hand: Does the Dulles Diamond contain the Casual lane, or just the Expert one? Does the TSA enforce the rules of the checkpoint; ie scolding those who take too much time to clear, and are unfamiliar with TSA procedures?
Btw TSA isn't supposed to scold anyone regarding line usage, those are recommendations not requirements, although line monitors sometimes want to push people around. because of the iAd setup, anyone presenting a bp can use the line
Aug 19, 2011 | 6:46 am
#13
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It was originally for crew and expert flyers, but it has become anybody and they don't turn anybody away. Simply that if you don't know it's there, you won't find it by yourself because it's on the arrivals level.
On TCON, I fly DCA-ORD-WEST COAST given roughly hourly service to ORD and close to that for LAX & SFO from ORD. I find that my door-to-door time from downtown DC to downtown LA / SF is almost the same flying nonstop from IAD or with a change in ORD.
I can't recall ever have waited more than 10 mins at checkpoint for UA at DCA and it's most often 1-2 people ahead of me.
On TCON, I fly DCA-ORD-WEST COAST given roughly hourly service to ORD and close to that for LAX & SFO from ORD. I find that my door-to-door time from downtown DC to downtown LA / SF is almost the same flying nonstop from IAD or with a change in ORD.
I can't recall ever have waited more than 10 mins at checkpoint for UA at DCA and it's most often 1-2 people ahead of me.
Aug 19, 2011 | 9:18 am
#14
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But it was never used for "crew". Crew and airport employees always had a separate security checkpoint - that checkpoint is currently between baggage carousels 7 & 8. What you might be remembering is that the locations for Dulles Diamond checkpoint and the crew/employee checkpoint were originally the opposite of the current setup. For some reason, their locations were swapped over a weekend a couple of years ago.
Aug 19, 2011 | 11:47 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2007
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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the reason I stopped using the diamond lane. Namely that EVERY woman (and a few men) going through there got nude-o-scoped on my last 3 times through there. And the place they have you wait when you opt out is out of view of their luggage (and they dawdled more for a female assist when I objected to that).
