Wait time at DCA Security?
Jul 18, 2005 | 4:55 pm
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: USA; UA-1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum
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Wait time at DCA Security?
First time I'm flying NW out of DCA. Wednesday morning, 8AM. Is 30 minutes enough time?
Jul 18, 2005 | 5:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: fort worth, tx AA Gold,Best Western-Diamond, HH- Gold, Marriott-Silver
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Originally Posted by shinbal
First time I'm flying NW out of DCA. Wednesday morning, 8AM. Is 30 minutes enough time?
It has been a while since I flew NW out of DCA, but I have stood in line an hour to get to some of the other terminals at DCA.
Clarify your question a little and you will get some helpful responses.
Jul 18, 2005 | 5:09 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LA, after growing up in London and living all over Europe
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Last time I flew out of DCA it was very quick on a Sunday evening. Incidentally, the WC is outside security, so watching when the experienced DCA travellers head for the gate is worthwhile.
Jul 18, 2005 | 6:43 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Niceville, FL, USA
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I also echo wldtrvlr's question.
From three month's worth of experience flying out of DCA back in 2003, it never took me more than 10 minutes to get through security at the NW terminal. This was on Friday afternoons, around 4 pm. I could certainly have been lucky, so I would not count on this always being the case for you.
But if you're trying to check in, go through security and get to your gate a half hour before your flight...which means the flight will start boarding as you arrive and you hope to get there before they close the door...all I can say is good luck and I hope you find some overhead space still available for your carryon!
From three month's worth of experience flying out of DCA back in 2003, it never took me more than 10 minutes to get through security at the NW terminal. This was on Friday afternoons, around 4 pm. I could certainly have been lucky, so I would not count on this always being the case for you.
But if you're trying to check in, go through security and get to your gate a half hour before your flight...which means the flight will start boarding as you arrive and you hope to get there before they close the door...all I can say is good luck and I hope you find some overhead space still available for your carryon!
Jul 18, 2005 | 7:02 pm
#5
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Originally Posted by wldtrvlr
Are you asking can you check in at 7:30 and make it through security and board the flight in 1/2 hour? Or are you asking will the security line take 1/2 hour to get through?
Geez, I did word that question a little oddly, didn't I?
I just want to know if 30 minutes is enough time to allow for getting through DCA security at the NW pier...that is, will it take longer than that?. I'll already be checked in. I only mentioned my flight time to get opinions based on the time of day I'm traveling.
Thanks for your responses.
Jul 18, 2005 | 7:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BNA
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From my experience, I would think you can get through DCA security at A terminal in under 30 mins. You're safe if you alot 30 minutes for security on a Monday morning.
Jul 18, 2005 | 7:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2002
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I've never waited more than 5 minutes at NW concourse at DCA, my home airport. So half an hour should be plenty. Walk to the gates is only about 3 minutes from there.
CO/DL/others can be much longer, specially Friday afternoons.
CO/DL/others can be much longer, specially Friday afternoons.
Jul 18, 2005 | 8:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
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Posts: 147
Agreed, "A" Concourse is basically only NW, ATA, Midwest and Spirit (who am I missing?) and the line at security moves very quickly. 10 minutes, even on a weekday morning should be enough (especially as the crowd at that hour knows the drill).
USAIR over in "C" is the scary line.
USAIR over in "C" is the scary line.
Originally Posted by Alpha Golf
I've never waited more than 5 minutes at NW concourse at DCA, my home airport. So half an hour should be plenty. Walk to the gates is only about 3 minutes from there.
CO/DL/others can be much longer, specially Friday afternoons.
CO/DL/others can be much longer, specially Friday afternoons.
Jul 18, 2005 | 8:43 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 212
Last Friday 15 minutes
Friday before 7 minutes
30 minutes = plenty of time
Although they can be inconsistent with enforcing an elite line down the right hand lane. Last Friday they did not, hence the longer wait
Friday before 7 minutes
30 minutes = plenty of time
Although they can be inconsistent with enforcing an elite line down the right hand lane. Last Friday they did not, hence the longer wait
Jul 18, 2005 | 9:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2004
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At Terminal A from my experience 10-15minutes tops.
Jul 18, 2005 | 10:49 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
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all depends... when i've been on first flights of the day, esp when spirit and ata all have flights goign out with the DTW, MSP and MEM flights... i've seen it all the way out to the baggage carousel... 30 min should be ok for an 8:30... but I wouldnt push it much more than that. Remember, it's summer and lots of kids, baby strollers, etc that can really crunch the line.
Jul 19, 2005 | 8:58 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
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TSA now publishes historical wait time averages/maxima:
http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html
Very very helpful.
http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html
Very very helpful.
Jul 19, 2005 | 10:40 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Originally Posted by Alpha Golf
I've never waited more than 5 minutes at NW concourse at DCA, my home airport. So half an hour should be plenty. Walk to the gates is only about 3 minutes from there.
CO/DL/others can be much longer, specially Friday afternoons.
CO/DL/others can be much longer, specially Friday afternoons.
Jul 19, 2005 | 3:31 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 4,270
Just went out of DCA on Monday for 6:50AM flight
I just left DCA on Monday, and asked a similar question. Got some very helpful responses from the people there:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=451387
Agree with everyone here...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=451387
Agree with everyone here...
Jul 20, 2005 | 5:49 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 132
5-20 minutes for me
Originally Posted by shinbal
First time I'm flying NW out of DCA. Wednesday morning, 8AM. Is 30 minutes enough time?