If IAD adds an elite security line, we won't really know.

But I've seen IAD security lines that take 2+ hours to go through - the one at the UA end went all the way to the DL and the one at the DL end went all the way to the UA end.

I doubt you'll see anything that bad, but then again I've taken to getting dropped off with just carry-on bags before 3 PM for 5:30 or 6 PM Sunday departures just to avoid the post-3 PM crush at IAD on Sunday afternoons. I just go to the RCC and get some work done.

I am sorry but this is useless scare mongering probably based on old anecdotal info, which does not reflect the current situation. I see it time and again here on FT. IAD had long security lines about 2 years ago, but I have never seen any lines extend beyond or even close to filling the "cattle pen" in recent memory.

Wouldn't Friday afternoon be a busy time of the week? Yesterday I left home at 4:35 pm for a 5:50 pm flight. I was at the C17 RCC by 5:10 pm......... Yes, 15 min from drop-off to being in the RCC.

The worst time is typically around 3-3:30 pm when many people arrive early for their 5-5:30 pm international flights.

If you depart around 6 pm then it is good to arrive as late as possible since it becomes quiet after 4:30 pm or so. Similarly in the morning I arrive around 08:15-08:30 for the 09:30 LHR flight. Nary a soul in the terminal at that hour.

If I travel on a Sunday then I would take a late flight after 9 pm since it would be a business trip with a Monday am appointment. I am sure that I have arrived Sunday afternoon/evening and have not noticed anything special.

Anyway, after July 11 things will change......

Also, if someone says that they had to wait 30 minutes at 04:40 then it's because they are undermanned at that very early hour and the worry-worts are all there bright eyed and bushy tailed. Maybe they open up more positions after 05:00? But I am still skeptical because when things were at their worst 2 years ago then a line snaking frombeyond the 1K check-in up beyond SAS and back again would not take more than 30 min!

But you also had to be smart and choose good departure times.... Like, avoid 8 am, 4:30 pm domestic flights, for example.

Sorry to say, but your new anecdotal information does not reflect the current situation at all. Perhaps you're travelling at off times... though I must admit that Friday afternoon is usually a busy time.

Wednesday, June 14 I had a flight in the AM out of IAD. Luckily, I was just transferring from CHO (gotta love it), but my business partner arrived at IAD 2 hours before the flight and waited 1 hour 30 minutes at security and barely made the flight.

But you're right ... choosing a good travel time is best. Late morning, early evening ... that works best at IAD. And yes... after July 11, everything will change! (And if you believe that, I've got a 1K membership to sell you). ;)

Yes, at 5am, new lines opened up. After that happened, it only took me 10 more minutes to get through (out of security at 5:10 am).

By the way, here is another complaint about IAD, and specific to UA: The RCCs at IAD open at 6am. The RCC at DCA opens at 5am, just to support one 6am flight to DCA. There are a number of 6am-ish UA flights from IAD and yet IAD RCCs don't open til 6am. Seems stupid to me.

Considering I've been a bit later than 3 PM in getting dropped off at IAD on a Sunday a few times in the past months, and found the check-in lines were overflowing almost out the door, with a huge rush of passengers just beginning to hit the security lines, I'd say you're wrong.

And the anecdotal evidence of the people who I have conversations with who got to IAD after 3 PM on those Sundays also indicates you're wrong.

I dare you to show up at 5 PM for a 6PM departure on a summer Sunday.

Use online check in before you to the airport! Day before would be best.

While you might be able to use the kiosk's, I have gotten there on a monday morning at 6 AM and they all said "closed". I was so glad to have that home printed boarding pass.

later in the morning and in the early evening can be very packed and all the cattle lines fill up. TSA apparently removes staff and closes lines during the day to make sure they always have a nice big line.

Ditto on the RCC opening time issue. Do they all open at 7 evern day

Moved to the Washington DC forum for the sake of future searching and where it can join similiar threads.

cblaisd
Moderator, United