Long(er than normal?) SNA security lines?
 

I travel to the LA area reasonably frequently (2x/month from August-December, less often the rest of the year), primarily for leisure. On those occasions, I typically fly into/out of SNA, as it is close to friends' houses, etc., even if I end up spending the majority of my time in LA proper. I have chosen SNA because of the relative ease I have always been able to get into and out of the airport with. I know that Sunday evenings are always crazy there, but I have never taken more than about 10 minutes to get through security (even pre-elite status) anywhere between 4pm-8pm.

I flew home from SNA last night, and was glad that I got to the airport quite early. I was flying on Southwest, so entered the terminal at that end to print my boarding pass at a kiosk. The security line was stretched all the way back to the far end of the terminal, and wrapped around at least twice. I uttered my expletive under my breath as my BP printed, and joined the line. I often fly AA into SNA, so I decided to take my chance and walk down to that security line. It was shorter, but not by much. I stood in line for about 35 minutes and got through. TSAers were yelling and screaming for passengers to have their baggies out, laptops out, jackets off, shoes off, and were telling people to hurry up because that would help "speed up the line". Yet when I got to where I could watch passengers travel through the WTMD, the TSAers were telling people to stop and wait. An officer would stop after each passenger, give them a lecture ("are you sure you've emptied everything out of your pockets? you only get one chance....") and then making an announcement.

There were only 2 WTMD open at the AA end of the terminal - I didn't look to see what was open at the Southwest end.

Is this now typical for SNA? It's the first time I've had such a problem, but was quite surprised.

SNA Lines
 

I fly SNA somewhat regularly. My recent experiences have been with no lines, but those have been at "off peak" hours. I have seen a few times when on peak hours (early Monday) the lines were awful.

Off peak
 

I fly out of SNA quite regularly too. I've never had to wait more than 15 minutes in security lines at terminal A. I almost have it down to a science. :D Last time, at about 6:15 AM I park my car at work (shares the fence with the Main St. parking lot) and run into the Main St. parking. Take the shuttle to the terminal. When I get off the shuttle bus, it's about 6:25 AM. Clear security at 6:40 AM. My flight was boarding and ended up leaving the gate at 6:55 AM! Yeah, I know...I should wake up earlier in case the lines do get bad.

I've dropped friends at SNA during the weekends and have seen horrible lines outside though.


Steve :p

Lines can get bad at peak hours like you mentioned, it really helps to be able to use the Elite/First line if you are elligible.

Things have definately been made even worse by the stupid baggie and mandatory shoe carnivals.

SNA is usually (a) one of the fastest and (B) one of the friendliest TSA screening places I know of.

MisterNice