Why must inter-terminal transfers require one to Exit the "secure area"???
 

OK, pet peeve... Why do certain major hub airports in the US have disconnected terminals (with no inside-security inter-terminal transit) - thereby requiring pax to exit security and then re-enter through security when transiting between terminals??? EWR, ORD, DFW, SFO, LAX, MIA: I am talking to you guys here! ATL, IAH (sorta), IAD, CVG - you guys have it MUCH better in this regard!

Also, does anybody know if I can get into EWR Term B with a CO (arriving term A, departing term C) bp? Should I tell them I am picking up kids to take them on the same CO flight from Term A? My real purpose is to get a NW WorldClub 2-month pass which will let me use all the Skyteam clubs for that timeperiod.

At ORD, only the International terminal is outside security. You can traverse all other terminals at ORD without leaving the sterile area. Same thing at DFW; I have walked throughout the entire complex without leaving the sterile area.

At LAX, the tunnels were closed after multiple terminal evacuations. The FSD at LAX figured fewer people would have to be evacuated and rescreened if the connecting tunnels were sealed off.

Why do you have to reclear security at the others? Poor design or good design, depending on whom you ask.

That used to be true for the AA terminals at DFW (A, B, and C), E was not connected like this. I believe the new airside train is now operating and that connects all terminals. (Even the new International terminal????)

Yes, it's supposed to connect the international terminal, as well.

SFO at least has a shuttle bus between the domesting and international terminals for UA. It's really difficult to find though ... almost ended up walking out of the sterile area because it was poorly marked.

I think there are various reasons why many US airports are not that friendly to inter-terminal transit. The main reason, IMHO, is that most US airports are hodge podge of terminals/concourses dating from various decades that weren't designed as a cohesive unit. The newer buildings were tacked on or built apart from older terminals and architects weren't able, couldn't afford, etc. to make interterminal transfer points within security.

Further, security screening took much less pre-9/11 and when there were far less people traveling via airplane. Having to go out of security and back through security wasn't going to be a time consuming wait in yesteryears.

If you look at airports that have been built recently as one cohesive design, interairline transfer has been made much easier. Such airports include DEN, PIT, PVD, etc. Also some older airports have been fortunate to add on while keeping interterminal/airline transfers within security.

You can traverse most terminals at PHL either inside or outside the sterile area via skyways or direct corridors. The new Terminal F for the RJs and commuters is isolated so pax use a shuttle bus to Terminals B/C. Only once (when trying to get from UA to US) was I shooed away from the walkway and told to "go outside" to get to the other terminal. Don't know if that's still the case. Haven't had the chance to use the new International Terminal A-West to see how the convenient the interterminal connection to A-E is.