Kathy, what do you mean the security was easy? Did they let you walk around the metal detector with your carry-on?

With e-tickets, can't you proceed directly to the gate, skipping even the 1st class check-in? Is there an advantage of checking in (1st class) instead of going to the gate? (waiting on a shorter line to get your boarding pass?)

It seems that a premium class check-in may save you time, but you never know what the delay at security will be - so does that suggest to give it extra time?

What can I expect at LGA on Saturday morning for an 8am AA flight? Monday (Columbus Day) ORD for a 5pm AA flight?

Some airports are not accepting an E-ticket receipt or itinerary but instead are insisting on an actual boarding pass to get past security. This was definitely the case at EWR and JFK last week but I do not know anything about LGA policies.

Hey, folks. I just flew from IAD to LAX and back. Two hours might be more than you need, but I would say an hour and a half would be the minimum.

And this is only if you have upgraded status. The premier and first class lines were moving decently, but if you were just a regular passenger, you're going to have to wait around an hour or so in line to check bags. Security took around ten minutes to clear. Total waiting time for me was around 30-45 minutes, so I figure that an hour and a half would do the trick.

While this thread concerns mainly domestic travel, I'll offer my recent experiences flying ORD-LHR-ORD. I realize, however, that I was flying at off-peak times so I don't at all consider my experiences to be typical. Nonetheless, here goes. Remember, AA has been saying we need to check in for international flights three hours before departure.

Saturday, 29SEP, AA 90 ORDLHR @ 08:50:

Arrived ORD at 06:10 and noticed the lines for Coach check-in, for both domestic and international flights, were already fairly long. Domestic GLD, PLT and EXP had maybe a few people in line. I went to the GLD/PLT/EXP check-in position (First Class) for international flights and found nobody in line. The check-in process took about five minutes tops.

"Security" at ORD seemed to be business as usual. The only difference was the presence of uniformed AA agents greeting everyone to verify that names on IDs and tickets matched. Otherwise, it was the same old show and inspired absolutely ZERO confidence.

Wednesday, 3OCT, AA 91 LHRORD @ 17:35:

Arrived LHR Terminal 3 at 13:30 and have never seen LHR so slow and deserted. Proceeded to AA's ticket counters for check in and found absolutely nobody - not one soul - in any AA check-in line. I walked up to the PLT (Business Class) check-in desk and, fewer than ten minutes later, I was on my way to security. That process took only about three minutes as there were only four people in line ahead of me. Amazing.

By the way, according to the FAs on my flights, the loads were:

AA 90/29SEP (763) ... P2/J6/Y35
AA 91/03OCT (763) ... P3/J11/Y35

edited for clarity

[This message has been edited by bbinchi (edited 10-04-2001).]

Just got back from DEN on 10/4, and wanted to share my experience.

The security line took about 30 minutes at about 4pm. However, while waiting, the security line got noticeably longer, most likely adding at least another 30 minutes to the wait. They also have an express lane for people without laptops and who are only carrying on a briefcase/purse. That line had no wait-they actually had 2 security stations open for express, while only 1 open for the more crowded "regular" security. The elite check in lines at UA were fairly crowded (about 30 minutes or so to get checked in), but they did have curbside check-in, as well as an e-ticket only check in line (that was fairly long as well).

Went out to ORD this afternoon (Friday, Oct. 5) to meet "kidpachinko" and "mrs. kid," who were connecting from NRT to MSP on AA. Got off the train and went through Terminal 2 to catch the ATS to Terminal 5. This was at 2:45 p.m. and I noticed the line for the security checkpoint at Terminal 2 was very long and approached the checkpoint from both sides of the terminal.

After meeting the "kids" we took the ATS to Terminal 3 for their connecting flight. We were stunned to find the line for Terminal 3 security stretching from the DL ticket counter all the way to the opposite end of the terminal ... then queuing back to the area where AA's Domestic First Class check-in always has been (but it was not taking place there today), doubling back once more and then on to the checkpoint! We were really worried they would not make their flight. We entered the line at 3:18 p.m. and it was 3:50 p.m. when I had to bid them goodbye. From what I could see of the crowd beyond where I could go, my guess is it took them a total of 45-50 minutes to get through security.

Just went through Security this morning at EWR...

US Marshalls, National Guard, Customs, and another unifrom for which I didn't catch the emblem. I'm not sure, but I think they are really here to shoot the X-ray scanner folks if they go back to their usual incompetancy!

You really need to get to the airport early! I got here 2-1/2 hours before and got through First Class check-in quite quicky and quietly (alliteration at its best), but when I had to go through the metal detector I was informed that my Cowboy Boots (in NJ? - yes!) had to go through the x-ray machine, my belt buckle too, and the laptop must be removed from the case and go separately. All metal items that you have in your pockets and any jackets go through the machine as well.

They didn't ask for the cell phone or laptop to be turned on, nor did they ask for the PocketPC to be removed from the laptop bag.

I can certainly deal with the extra security because I will not be deterd from flying and also because I was the guy who used to carry an SLR camera, 50+ batteries and 40+ rolls of film about 5 years ago and always got hand inspection and was received courteously. If they want to check all my carry-ons, including me, they can. As long as they have real people doing this or at least watching the minimum wage security do it.

I don't want to come down too hard on the security folks because I used to manage security folks when I in my last semester at college and the year after. They are not well trained, nor well paid and have backrounds that are questionable and usually are overworked even though it looks like they don't do anything.

One hour until the wild blue http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

EWR-LAX 2pm Tuesday United
No one waiting at any of the counters (First or Economy)
Took 2 minutes to check in and another 2 minutes to have ID checked (twice) and pass through security

LAS-SFO 12pm Thursday United
At least 150 people waiting in the Economy line; 5 or so deep in the Elite line
Other airlines were closer to 20-50 deep in the economy line...lots of random full luggage checks going on
Took about 25 minutes to get to the gate

If you don't have elite status and have tot check in at the economy line, I would definitely get to the airport at least two hours in advance. Also, even if you are checking in at a short line, getting called for a random luggage search could really slow you down.

I just LOVE having status with United!

Dallas am: Regular line went from the United counter down to the Korean Air counter. Maybe 10 people in the First Class / Premier line. Security was a bit harsh though. Took 40 minutes to clear it. I couldn't use the security down by Sun Country *grr*

Boston: Regular line wrapped all the way outside. Premier Exec / F line had maybe 5 people in it. Folks kept trying to get into the "ticketing ONLY" line to check in, and the agents kept telling passengers their line was "over there". Same passengers tried ONCE AGAIN to get into Ticketing Only line to check in (how stupid are YOU?!?!). I eventually had to get rebooked on Antichrist Airlines to Miami since the BOS/ORD flight was delayed 40 mins, causing me to miss my connection (AND ruin my mileage run).. so I went over to AA and the line in Economy took about 30 mins to clear (ugh! times like those make me APPRECIATE my status!). Security wanted me to virtually strip and x-ray my belt, shoes, etc. This was a first! Also ONLY on the United concourse: I saw two cute guys with HUGE guns walking around (this was last weekend, before the Natl Guard was called in). Dumb question is: why aren't you out on the ramp walking around planes and watching the rampers, mechanics, and other ground service employees?!?!

Ft Lauderdale: walked right up to the First Class / Premier line and Karin or Darrell swiftly checked me in... no wait to clear security. Its been like this for the past 3 weeks I've flown out of FLL!

Chicago: Nothing major... lines were short (for status holders... poor economy folks have to wait all day!) I hear they shut down my secret security area on the south end of the United Terminal (only those of us that check in at the Premier / First Class lines actually use it).

Miami: security is amazingly LAX here.... you could probably get a gun on board a plane out of Miami and they wouldn't find it. My black shoes always set of security EVERYWHERE, but somehow I was able to WALK right through (and I wasn't scooting my feet along the carpet!).

I'll get to check out Portland, Seattle, and San Fran in 3 weeks... lets see how inconsistent they can be!

TO JS: Re earlier post about security at Dulles. No I had to go throught the metal detector but unlike my prior 4 trips out of there since the WTC I only had to show E ticket to the security person at the front of the line. On prior trips I had to pull out my wallet to show ID with the E ticket.

Any updates on lines at PDX? We have a Delta flight, leaving late am.

Last week I flew BUR-SFO-NRT-BKK and I
dutifully arrived two hours early at BUR.

There was no line at the check in or at
security at all.

I asked the UA check-in agent if I really
needed to be there two hours early and he
smiled and said "this is still Burbank"
I took that to mean that UA shares an
entire concourse with AS and between them
if they are really busy they may be operating
a whole four gates!

I wanted to fly out of BUR to avoid LAX.
This worked, but it is a double-edged sword.
(can I say that?) I flew thru SFO and outbound it was a breeze, but returning from
NRT and clearing customs, I had to go through
domestic security (45 Mins.) I say you should
be able to go from Int'l airside to domestic
airside with out going through security again.

BTW I lost my GSM cell phone on board my
acft in NRT but didn't discover it until
I was in the immigration line in BKK (this
was about 10pm) and I couldn't find ANY UA
employees at this airport to report it to.
I had to call UA in the US and they gave me
the lost and found # in NRT, but that didn't
do me any good. My phone is probably in
Beijing now.

-Don

Don - you do not have to hit enter at the end of each line. This super duper program will automatically word wrap
so
you
do
not
have
this.

And for other users, did you know you can EDIT a previous post? Not directed at you Don, but some users post a NEW one with their correction. To edit, you click on one of those little icons at the top of the message.

My LAX experience with MX flights is that if you arrive 1 hour prior to departure, if you have *A Gold status and can check-in at the first class line you have more time than you need. Ive done this twice after the 9/11 incidents.