I'm curious if anyone has been through DCA and their new security standards. I've heard bits and glimpses from the local radio. Next Saturday I've got a USAirways flight out and was curious as to what to expect. It's only an overnighter, I'll just have a small bag and no computer, so I'm hoping it'll go smoothly.

left DCA yesterday on AA. Had to check in at the counter and there is no longer a F/C or elite check in line for the time being. Boarding pass/ticketand photo id necessary for entering the "secure area" can not go out and come back in once inside. Random search of carry-on items. pass through metal dectector and random us of "wand" Admrials club empty. Plane empty 34pass. Had to show Photo ID to board plane. Again random use of wand to check passengers and random checking of carry-on items. Got there too early as the whole check-in/security process took less than 20 min. By the way, if you need someting to eat I suggest that you get it out on the main concourse as most of the food vendors were closed/out of business on the "piers". Have a safe flight.

This is sad that our government is running these people out of business. So sad.

I was out of DCA on AA on 10/5 and returned on 10/7. My experience was very similar to what has been reported. Also, my flights to/from DFW had only 30-33 seats filled. No more check in at the Admiral's Club as I needed a boarding pass to get through security.

Just flew DCA-DFW last night (10/14). Things seem like they're getting back to normal, at least as much as it can be, based on previous posts. To wit:

-Elite/FC check-in line is back at the AA ticket counter.

-Admiral's Club check-in is also back (at least, the agents offered to check me in if I hadn't done so already).

-Flight was full.

-No problem going back and forth thru security multiple times (DCA is a non-smoking airport...). Just had to show boarding pass and ID each time, while leaving carry-ons with my wife at the AC.

Based on what I'd heard earlier, my wife and I arrived 2 1/2 hours early. Thank heaven for the Admirals Club, as we were checked in and through security in about 15 minutes. Measures were as strict as anywhere else, in terms of ID checking, etc., but nothing out of the "ordinary" until the random wand checks/bag searches at the gate.

Oh, one other thing: if you want to take a cup of coffee with you on the plane, don't bother stopping by the Starbucks across from the ticket counters. They're not letting anything through security that can't be run through on the x-ray belt. Heed a ($2.00 poorer) voice of experience on this one!

[This message has been edited by SuperSlug (edited 10-15-2001).]