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

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!

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.

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.

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).]