Long Pre TSA Lines at MDW
Oct 15, 2018, 10:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: MDW/ORD
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Posts: 526
Long Pre TSA Lines at MDW
Has anyone else noticed the long lines that form before the TSA security check. The actual hold up is the bomb sniffing dog and winding path to get to it. After that there are no lines at either the normal TSA check or the Pre Check lines. This morning at 6:00 am the lines snaked all the way to the CTA train station. It took me 20 minutes to get to the TSA. There has to be a better way to manage this added security check. It used to be enough to get to airport an hour before flight and still grab breakfast and board on time. This morning, I made it to the gate 5 minutes after boarding was supposed to start, but it hasn't started yet, so I was OK.
Last edited by Putnik; Oct 17, 2018 at 9:12 pm
Oct 16, 2018, 9:19 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Silver, whatever the Amex plat gets me and somehow still IHG Diamond after 3 years of no nights
Posts: 693
Yes, seen it a handful of times over the past 6 months-ish, which is now made worse by the construction. We usually see it after we land and are trying to walk to the orange line station to go home. The one time we got stuck in it flying out the line actually moved pretty quick, but it is a hassle for a few reasons and generally creates a ton of anxiety for the people in line.
Besides the obvious slow down...
-a lot of people can't believe it's actually the line so they walk past on the side. It's especially tough for DYKWIA types to comprehend that the line also applies to them but I tend to be pretty understanding in this situation because the time we ran into it, my first reaction was "Wait, this is for pre-check too!?!" and I felt a little DYKWIA guilt even though it seemed like a logical response.
-I've rarely seen them do a good job communicating what the situation is to all of the frustrated people in line
-the line often extends well past where people need to go to check in or check bags, which creates further issues/confusion
-sometimes the line initially doubles back on itself at the top of the ramp making it very hard to just leave the airport without looking like you are trying to cut into a line you don't want/need to be in.
Besides the obvious slow down...
-a lot of people can't believe it's actually the line so they walk past on the side. It's especially tough for DYKWIA types to comprehend that the line also applies to them but I tend to be pretty understanding in this situation because the time we ran into it, my first reaction was "Wait, this is for pre-check too!?!" and I felt a little DYKWIA guilt even though it seemed like a logical response.
-I've rarely seen them do a good job communicating what the situation is to all of the frustrated people in line
-the line often extends well past where people need to go to check in or check bags, which creates further issues/confusion
-sometimes the line initially doubles back on itself at the top of the ramp making it very hard to just leave the airport without looking like you are trying to cut into a line you don't want/need to be in.
Oct 16, 2018, 10:45 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,460
Exactly. The only thing they communicate is don’t touch the dog. And they get very upset when confused people don’t do what they are expecting them to do. The whole thing is confusing and frustrating.
Oct 16, 2018, 6:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 94
i think the frustration is better aimed at MDW vs TSA/LEO. They are there to do a job, not hold your hand thru the process. The airport, and not any particular airline, needs to have better traffic control and communication especially during those busy times.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:10 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,460
I disagree. It’s TSA that decides to have a totally unworkable system of every person in a single line in an area that is nearly impossible to create a single line and then the next day to not have a single line and go back to the usual system that works just fine.
Oct 17, 2018, 7:18 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: ORD
Programs: DL GM, WN A+/CP, HH Diamond
Posts: 45
Standing in this line now. It doesn't make sense, just a huge bottle neck. They seem to be metering the people going into the security checkpoint/screening area. And I can’t believe this dog is actually doing anything substantial for our safety.
Oct 17, 2018, 10:50 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Silver, whatever the Amex plat gets me and somehow still IHG Diamond after 3 years of no nights
Posts: 693
Probably more than the humans.
Oct 17, 2018, 1:49 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
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Posts: 19,719
Last time I ran into this at MDW (around 645a-700a) the big stanchion / rope area right before the checkpoint was being kept completely empty and TSA was backing everyone, Pre or no, up to the Orange Line station. It made absolutely no sense.
Oct 17, 2018, 2:38 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,677
Ugh, good to know... I have a flight next week out of MDW and their security lines have been disasters for evening flights. Even better, not all of the security checkpoints are open at night but the lines are backed up.
Makes ORD look good!
Makes ORD look good!
Oct 19, 2018, 5:34 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AAMastercard, ChaseSouthwest
Posts: 92
Is this precheck too? Before my precheck, I was once in a long line, but took 8 minutes to get up to the dog.
Last edited by flyingill; Oct 19, 2018 at 5:34 am Reason: Add information
Oct 23, 2018, 6:51 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
Originally Posted by lougord99
I disagree. It’s TSA that decides to have a totally unworkable system of every person in a single line in an area that is nearly impossible to create a single line and then the next day to not have a single line and go back to the usual system that works just fine.