3 Hour plus security line wait in LAX!
 

I flew out of LAX to Hong Kong last Thursday and ended up in a secuity line that snaked its way througout the terminal and outside torwards the AA terminal. It took over three hours to clear and from talking to fellow passengers/employees, this seemed normal to them.

From the International terminal, I counted over 18 flights leaving within a 2 1/2 window. Each plane was a 747. Each 747 can hold upwards of 400 people. They had a total of 4 security check point lines. You do the math and you will understand what you will be faced with when departing from that terminal.

Just wait until Friday my friend, wait until Friday. That is when the fun and games will begin. Thank god I am not flying anywhere until Feb.

Seems that some folks are livi' right and had no problem whatsoever! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

No Line at LAX Security

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum44/HTML/000390.html

I have not encountered any waits at all for the 3p.m. departure of LH recently.

I do not think Friday will make much of a differnce for people flying out of the international terminal since every flight leaving that terminal currently operates under the higher standard. Before I was even allowed to get into the que to check my bags, I had to put my luggage through an x-ray machine.

Perhaps a little off topic, but I'm wondering, if one has difficulty standing or walking for more than 30 minutes or so (like being on crutches, with a casted, broken foot!)is difficult, how does such a person endure to get to his gate?

A wheelchair, perhaps? I suspect a lot of folks who use 'em now are capable of walking but just trying to avoid physical stress (and I don't begrudge them that), so I'd recommend you consider it.

That's my impression of a 3 PM departure also, but I don't think that's the time the original poster was there. If I remembered correctly, T4 was pretty empty around 3 PM.

The funny thing with this is that when it happens and you miss your flight, many airlines dont seem to consider the situation and dont compensate you accordingly.

Some airlines will take passengers to the front of the security line ( by 3). That's what happened in December when I had the same situation at LAX.

If my flight was leaving I would go to the front of the line and politely explain my situation. I would expect people to understand and let me cut in line as I would let them do under the same circumstances.

The standing question is a serious one for many people. Wheelchairs are an option if you can find one. An alternative is having a bag you can sit on. When I travel with an elderly family member, I try to get them into a chair where they can watch the progress of the line--no chairs at DFW until you get past security!!!

As far as cuts at the front of the line. People can get really angry if you try to do that!!

Now on 01/17 the local tv news is advising at least a 2 hour ahead arriveal at DFW as Aa started bag matching early.

Speaking of cuts... I had one that realy made me angry.

It was a United FA, at the DEN Terminal A semi-secret "shorter" security line. Even in that line the wait was about 45 minutes. She cut right between me and my wife, without asking. Just pushed in front of me.

Had she asked, I would have been gracious, but it really pissed me off. No eye contact. No asking... just cut, like she was entitled to do so. Meanwhile numerous other FA's, pilots, etc., patiently waited their turn.

I recently landed at LAX's terminal 7 and took the *A shuttle to T2 for my AC flight. The line was only 5-10 minutes at T2 and it didn't appear busy at UA's terminal either.

However at MIA...stupidity reigned supreme....we stood in line for 2 hours while someone from United checked to see if we had BP's to enter concourse F....then after going up the escalator we hit security where we stood in line again....why can't they check for BP's at security like every other place in the world.....that was downright stupid....you should have seen the line.

[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 01-17-2002).]

The last time I flew out of LAX (late december) on NW, we were held up while they looked for a bag that didn't have an "on-board" passenger (I watched out of my f seat as 4 people looked through the carts next to the plane) ...I assumed that meant they were already "positive bag checking" before xmas.

wow. I flew out of LAX on Friday around 11 am, there was no security line! What a difference a day makes!
Iknow that they were working on the escalator (the one that goes from ticketing to the gates level, // to the ring road in T7), but it did not seem to make a difference, on Friday at least.

CX flights tend to be at the left hand side of Tom Bradley. CX agents themselves tell people to go the aircraft at least 2 hours prior... A solution.... try using the right security check. There are less people going there.

Any idea how HP (America West) out of 1 will be early (7am) on a Friday morning?

HP out of terminal 1 at 7:00 AM should be the pits, remember that they share the terminal with WN. Take your sleeping bag and go the night before!

The lines have been pretty short at T1 since new machines were installed around Thanksgiving. Friday (and probably Sunday) are the worst, but I doubt you'll have to wait more than 10 to 20 minutes at T1.

The problem at LAX is the Bradley International Terminal (between AA T3 and T4)
Everyone and their luggage entering the terminal must go through security causing lines up to 3 hours long. The other terminals at LAX have the normal waits by the security checkpoints(5-20 minutes)and a little longer line to check in your luggage.