Consolidated "SEA Security lines" thread
 

What are security line ups like at SEA? Interested in recent experiences especially for the South Satellite/weekend early mornings.

Don't know about the south satelite but the north satelite in the mornings seems to be very crowded early. Once the ticket counters open the screeners don't get the passengers through quick enough and then a long line forms, but it moves quick enough. Or at least it did in my last two trips...

On Friday (Nov. 9) I was on the 8 am United flight to Denver. I arrived just after 6:00. The elite check-in line was short, so I was checked in less than 5 minutes.

But the security line for the D and N gates snaked around from next to the D/N security down to the security checkpoint for the C/D gates and back down to the D/N checkpoint. The line for the C/D gates also started next to the D/N security checkpoint. The lines were not marked, so it was difficult to figure out which line to get in and there were only a couple of airport employees attempting to coordinate the operation, so I couldn't find them to ask them.

FWIW, one of the Alaska Airlines check-in lines (I don't know which one) went around the counter by the United check-in and back into the hall where the security lines were. It went to almost the C security checkpoint.

One of the airport security guys said that 1 out of 3 people were setting off the metal detectors and that is why it was taking so long.

Thanks for the replies. Late evening security for concourse C last Friday wasn't too bad. Security agent was being the bottle neck checking out itineraries. Varied between no wait and 5 minute wait.

On Tuesday 4pm (well after the security incident), it was 1/2 way back to the D concourse entrance (some 40-50 pax long).

www.travelocity.com\securitypoll

...Longest Security Waits

Of those reporting security waits longer than 60 minutes, survey participants cited the below-listed airports most often. Most airports improved since the October poll:


% reporting % reporting
delays more than delays more than
60 min. 60 min.
Rank Airport November Poll October Poll
1. Denver 53% 53%
2. Baltimore 38% 58%
3. Portland, Ore. 37% 16%
4. St. Louis 36% 44%
5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 35% 33%
6. Albuquerque, N.M. 35% 37%
7. Boston 35% 46%
8. San Francisco 34% 56%
9. Philadelphia 31% 46%
10. Washington-Dulles 31% 43%

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/011115/dath015_1.html

AS security wait
 

So how long does it typically take to get through AS security for an 8AM weekday flight these days?

If you're a Gold MVP, the answer would be zippo.

I've only had experience at the D/N Gates for early morning (i.e. 6am) flights recently. Then the normal line would be about 10 minutes long. I'm assuming about 20-30 minute delay two hours later (maybe).

Thanks! By the way - were you in the Subway on 2nd Ave. for lunch today?

I had a 8:20 flight on monday. The difference in the security line at the D/N gates is astonishingly different than at 6am.

The front (UA) counter had already "closed" the IAD flight. It was 7:35. She said that I wouldn't make it through security, b/c it was already double queued. I inquired if the 1K line had been shut down, and she replied, "OH yea, that's right. You can make that flight!"

By the way... I work in NJ, so it wasn't me at Subway! http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ft...forum/wink.gif

The times vary widely. On a non-holiday weekend, non-peak day (Tues-Wed, Sun) the C and D/N checkpoints have an early AM wait time of 5-15 minutes, mostly 5 or less. On peak days or near a holiday (like today) - the morning waits were 45 minutes +. Even the elite lines had a 10 minute wait this morning. Look for these times to increase as we get into the busier months until more checkpoints and staff are added in June.

Security at SEA
 

I'm doing a mileage run next weekend and will be on an 8:20am CO flight returning to EWR via IAH next Sunday, Sept 1. I will have no checked luggage. How much time should I allow to check in (hopefully they have a kiosk for my eticket) and most importantly for security at that hour? Is the security process at SEA quick and efficient? Thanks.

The Continental ticket counter is located near the center of the ticket lobby and contains several e-ticket machines. Continental flights depart from the "B" gates - the security checkpoint wait should be less than 20 minutes (usually less than 5 - especially on a Sunday morning) but there have been wait times of 30-60 minutes on peak days during the early morning and especially at mid-day. Have a good flight.

The B concourse also serves DL, WN and HP, so it can get busy in the mornings. I would allow at least an hour. A small PC is down at the end of the B concourse near the CO gates.

TAKE NOTE: Long Security Lines back at Sea-Tac
 

The security wait times have been creeping up in recent times but things are going downhill fast. The security line for the D/N checkpoint this morning stretched into the parking garage! while long lines were also present at the B and C Concourse checkpoints (40 minutes to 1 1/2 hour waits). Waits at the S checkpoint have been minor. Busiest times at the airport are 5-8AM and 10AM - noon; there have been some 30 minute waits even at off-peak times.

I know most of you have elite status and the wait times at those lines remain fairly short - 10-15 minutes at most - but be aware if you are flying an airline where you are not eligible to use the express lines.

Expect the lines to continue through the summer; while some of it is increased travel demand, most of the problems stem from TSA staffing shortages and inadequate management of the checkpoint lines.

KING-TV here in Seattle reported Monday night that the terrible security lines at Sea-Tac 16 June may have been due to a deliberate slowdown on the part of TSA workers upset over pay and work schedules.

The situation was egregious, and "the start of the summer travel season" doesn't begin to explain it... it hasn't taken more than 30 minutes to get through Sea-Tac security at any time this year, yet suddenly at some checkpoints Monday the wait ballooned to two hours. C'mon, the LOADS didn't quadruple.

[This message has been edited by BearX220 (edited 06-17-2003).]

SEA Security Article: Why You're Still at Risk
 

Just in case you don't get, read or see the PI/Times this is the front page.

"Nearly two years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the creation of a multibillion-dollar federal agency for airport security, travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are still at risk..."
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...airport24.html

Security Line Success Rate for Elite with Non-Status Companion?
 

We're catching an early-morning flight on UA in a few days. We're both UA 1Ps and use the express security line, but this time we are each bringing a non-status companion.

What is the protocol? It's not that big deal just to ask the first gatekeeper but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Thanks for any info,
Fredd

I've always been able to take non-premier companions. So you should have no problems.

Thanks for the info.

Never had a problem, done it maybe 30-40+ times. Generally I bring co-workers, friends, significant other, people I find wandering around the parking garage on the 8th floor near row T, Metro bus drivers, people whos birthday falls on October 16th and last but not least, FT'ers who pay me a small sum via automated web tools such as Paypal - may be allowed to utilize the high-security lines.

Thanks for the offer, but I think we'll just take our chances. http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ft...um/biggrin.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ft...um/biggrin.gif

Wait... did you really do this? http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ft...forum/wink.gif or are you just checking to see if I visit this forum! http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ft...um/biggrin.gif

October 16 is truly a great day! http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ft...forum/wink.gif

I had to find some way to verify that the local Seattlelites were reading this forum on a daily basis http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ft...forum/wink.gif

SEA C/D concourse security line reports?
 

Going SEA-ORD AA484 12/25 at (yuck) 6:40 AM...any FT'ers gone thru SEA 12/23 or going thru 12/24, please let me / others know...what are the elite & non-elite lines looking like timewise?

Security/ticketing time for flight 12/30
 

Hi - I have a flight on AS 12/30 at 12:30 (weird, huh?).

Anyway, how much time should I give for check-in and security. I have to go through check in lines because I am using a bump voucher that I will need to get exchanged for a boarding pass.

Add to that security lines.

I am not AS elite nor on the Horizon shuttle.

How far in advance should I arrive at Seatac?

Thanks!

Mike

You have to go to a ticketing counter, not merely check-in (mostly ITMs these days), given that you have a transportation voucher. Unfortunately the Bellevue CTO is closed but if it is going t be closing or has not closed, I'd exchange the voucher there and just web checkin if you can get an e ticket.

I am assuming that you mean 12:30PM. If so, this is the busiest time of day at Sea-Tac. Since you must do a ticketing transaction, I would allow at least 2 hours (unless you can do the ticketing transaction separately).

Which security lines have elite privileges?
 

Usually I connect thru SEA, and don't really leave the airport. (I can hear Missydarlin already). I recall there was a shorter line for AA elites, back before they opened Terminal A.

When I left noon on Sunday, the security right behind the AS ticketing counters didn't have any spots for elites. Did they change the system, or should I find a different line?

The B and D concourse security lines have elite lines, the C concourse does not.

Thanks, I found it this time around. :)

I'm glad you made it out of the sugar coma in time to find your way around the airport :D

Heavy Security Line Traffic at SEA This Morning (5/27/05)
 

If you have elite status, be sure to take advantage of it by using the elite line where possible! They say the lines are extreme during peak travel times.

SEA Closed at 12:00 6/24 Due to Security Breach
 

Someone evidently went through the TSA checkpoint the wrong way so while the terminals are not being evacuated, airport operations have been halted until the person can be found and interrogated.

I was there two hours ago to pick up a car. Looks like I timed it well. :rolleyes:

The person has been found and the airport is now back open.

Elite Security Line Zoo
 

Last week Mrs. Fredd and I flew out of SEA for the first time in six weeks. We used two different elite lines and noticed quite a change. An AS checker grudgingly let us in with our UA 1K BPs at the closest access point to the Pacific Marketplace, which we hadn't yet seen. Once we got past her we realized we had to barge in front of others to get to an open TSA lane, not a pleasant feeling. The wait itself was only about 15 minutes around 6:00 p.m.

Later we ventured outside security to help family members check in for our UA flight and then headed back to our usual security line behind the UA counters. As others have noted, the elite line is now closest to you. It was only after we were in it for awhile that we discovered that there were only two TSA checkpoints open, and we waited for at least 30 minutes. We again felt we were barging in front of others as we got to the front. As a 1K I like barging in but I like being able to do it discreetly. ;)

We seldom fly out of SEA in the evening. Are these mob scenes typical of early evenings, summers, or both, did we just have the bad luck of a particularly busy night, or have the logistics worsened in the security lines?

The TSA shifted staff from the afternoon and evening shifts to the morning to lesson the wait times (at the request of the airlines and the Port of Seattle). The result has been generally modest morning wait times but longer afternoon/evening wait times.

Thanks for the explanation. I think the last time we flew out of SEA in the evening was about three years ago. Those early morning flights now look even better to me. :)

Mid-day lineups for our most recent two flights were just fine - virtually no wait in the *G line and a TSA employee ushering at the front to merge and direct us. That was a positive contrast to the previous occasion I described, and feeling we were more-or-less barging in front of others wondering (some out loud) where we sneaked in from.

security checkpoints at SeaTac
 

I'll be flying out of SeaTac in the next couple of weeks. I went to the TSA "wait times" website, and it says that the shortest line for security is FIS (which I can't use, given that I depart from SEA!), followed by the "SEAC" checkpoint.

What/where is the SEAC checkpoint? The others (Central, North, and South) are all obvious. I checked the SeaTac website but couldn't find any mention of it.

thanks!

I think that the TSA website is causing undue confusion with their acronyms. From what I know, there are three security checkpoints - north, central, and south. North serves the D and N gates, Central is for the B and C gates, and South is for the A and S gates. I have found that the North checkpoint tends to be the most crowded. I personally like the South checkpoint.

If you would rather spend your time walking than standing in line, I would pick either the Central or South checkpoint, no matter which gate you are going to. Any checkpoint will get you to anywhere within the secured area. The N and S gates require you to take the underground subway, which is on the secured side of the airport. The rest of the gates are a 10 minute walk from almost anywhere, with the exception of the low numbered A gates which are quite far down towards the south.

During the past year, the most time I have spent in a security line at Sea-Tac is about 20 minutes. I would say that 10 to 15 minutes is typical. I wouldn't worry too much about it.