FlyerTalk Forums - Most disorganized security setup for terminals

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)

- Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues-686/)

- - Most disorganized security setup for terminals (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/1314275-most-disorganized-security-setup-terminals.html)

I really dislike the DFW Terminal D setup after customs and luggage drop. First you unload all your stuff into bins using the far too short counter and then have to merge with another line for the X-ray machine. You have to carry all of your bins and bag (I always have 3 bins due to my laptops) across the gap and onto the belt for the machine - which is also too short to hold anyone than two bins. I have seen several older people have some difficultly with this setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boerne (Post 18017467)

1 mia
2 lax
3 bos

imo

Any particular location at BOS? I'm just curious.

Me, I go with old United and JetBlue checkpoints at C and the AirTran checkpoint (Well, JetBlue Jr. as we call it now since B6 has taken over those gates since AirTran moved in with Southwest).

And American checkpoint in B.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoow (Post 18034097)

*But I agree wholeheartedly that you shouldn't have to be screened to leave the airport. Why they haven't found another way to permit you to exit the airport, I don't understand.

They have; you get escorted out by LEOs and a stack of blueshirts. But you've got to be pretty insistent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by InkUnderNails (Post 18037637)

Yes, that has been fixed. There are now food and restrooms after security. Plus free WiFi.

It has been fixed for quite a while.

I've only flown into and out of MCI once in the last decade (2009), but I recall that the checkpoint was for just a few (3?) gates. The post-"security" area had restrooms and 1 (maybe 2) food vendors. IIRC, the rest of the terminal seemed to be similarly configured. Is this still the case?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoow (Post 18034097)

Nah*... just terminal design by people who didn't conceive of the entire airport as a "secure facility". It wasn't that many years ago that you could walk through most of the airport without a ticket - or an ID.

And, FWIW, the new international terminal will (hopefully) solve the international arrivals security issue. I still haven't heard how you are supposed to get from the int'l terminal to the car rental facility, but hopefully they will work that out before opening day.

*But I agree wholeheartedly that you shouldn't have to be screened to leave the airport. Why they haven't found another way to permit you to exit the airport, I don't understand.

You hit the nail on the head. Several airports were designed before their was a significant security check. DFW... you were supposed to get out of a car or taxi right at your gate. MCI the same thing. And last but not least, the old Pan Am Worldport was not designed for security checkpoints!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertS975 (Post 18082521)

Or JFK's most famous terminal, 5, TWA's Flight Center.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catandmouse (Post 18032137)

Surely the most insane has to be ATL where you have to go through security on arrival and have no intention of flying:D

You can also politely ask to be escorted out, a request which will (and must) be granted, eventually. Walking out of the airport with police and TSA agents surrounding you like they are your secret service agents can be quite fun. It also gets the point across that such a "security" setup wastes everyone's time, including the TSA's.

If we're including international, I'd say Cairo was the most disorganized experience I've had - both immigration/customs and security.