Security at SFO
Jun 14, 2023, 12:58 am
#76
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Jun 14, 2023, 9:59 pm
#77
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I'd say I actually saved time with Clear once out of my past ten flights.
I used to be a huge Clear fan but the utility has really declined.
Jun 14, 2023, 10:48 pm
#78
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
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Regular Pre is faster when there is no line. It takes longer to deal with the scanners and Clear agents than just handing your ID to the TSA/Covenant officer. Add in the frequent chaos around the Clear kiosks, with untrained employees and new customers, plus the very frequent "ID Verification" checks, and Clear can now take 2-3x as long as just walking up and handing over your DL.
I'd say I actually saved time with Clear once out of my past ten flights.
I used to be a huge Clear fan but the utility has really declined.
I'd say I actually saved time with Clear once out of my past ten flights.
I used to be a huge Clear fan but the utility has really declined.
Jun 15, 2023, 9:05 am
#79
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Regular Pre is faster when there is no line. It takes longer to deal with the scanners and Clear agents than just handing your ID to the TSA/Covenant officer. Add in the frequent chaos around the Clear kiosks, with untrained employees and new customers, plus the very frequent "ID Verification" checks, and Clear can now take 2-3x as long as just walking up and handing over your DL.
I'd say I actually saved time with Clear once out of my past ten flights.
I used to be a huge Clear fan but the utility has really declined.
I'd say I actually saved time with Clear once out of my past ten flights.
I used to be a huge Clear fan but the utility has really declined.
Jun 15, 2023, 3:00 pm
#80
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This morning at T1 it was walk right up to the Covenant agent, and I definitely saved time vs. Clear. (Then of course had to wait in a long line caused by the unbelievably slow automated bag scanners, so net result was a complete wash.)
Jun 15, 2023, 3:16 pm
#81
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Hot off the press data point. About an hour ago, I entered the T2 Clear/pre line. Guy behind me was confused and was Pre only. They sent him around. I got "random" ID check (and random patdown). Guy who went around was right behind me after the ID check and in the security line. So, it was exactly even.
Jun 21, 2023, 12:25 pm
#83
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Friday, mid-day, Terminal 3... the Premier security checkpoint between 3 and International was closed. Main security checkpoint apocalyptic. Backed up past the Premier brag drop area toward the Terminal 2 connector. Looked like at least an hour wait. Everything funneled into a single lane, no regard to Premier status. Didn't even look like they had a separate Pre-Check or Clear line at all. Utter chaos of people trying to jump into the line, trying to form additional lines, arguing with the line managers, children crying, etc.
Doubled back to the International checkpoint. Calm and peaceful. 10 minute delay. All lines appropriately managed.
I haven't seen it this bad in T3 since pre-pandemic. Insane.
Doubled back to the International checkpoint. Calm and peaceful. 10 minute delay. All lines appropriately managed.
I haven't seen it this bad in T3 since pre-pandemic. Insane.
Jun 21, 2023, 9:40 pm
#84
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Smart move to head over to G security.
Jun 21, 2023, 9:43 pm
#85
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Jun 21, 2023, 10:26 pm
#86
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(and btw, SFO is not staffed by TSA, it's Covenant Security.)
G will be relatively quiet mid-afternoon. Won't start to pick up until the evening.
Though with Pre and Clear, I've never had to wait more than about 10 minutes at F1.
Jun 21, 2023, 10:31 pm
#87
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Jun 21, 2023, 10:35 pm
#88
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It depends on time. The crowds at G are very predictable due to the banking of international flights. I've been in some awful pre-check lines in G when flying late-night.
Oct 8, 2023, 10:22 am
#89
Join Date: Aug 2015
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My brother will be flying in from CPH. Is there a website that reflects how busy incoming passport control and luggage carousels are at a given time, based on say arriving flights?
Oct 8, 2023, 1:11 pm
#90
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As an update, my last two visits to D have been quite busy (early AM, and mid-AM). Precheck w/Clear was a big timesaver, and even Clear had a wait. Two visits ago, there were several people waiting for Clear, so I went directly into the Precheck line, which wasn't moving very quickly, and when I saw the Clear line had vacated, went over there instead.