Which carrier to fly to avoid LAS security lines
Apr 25, 2004 | 10:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K (3.52MM BIS miles) AA EXP (3.64MM)
Posts: 1,097
Which carrier to fly to avoid LAS security lines
For an upcoming business trip I can take America West, Alaska, or United
but have heard all of the horror stories about the terminal used by UA but have not heard so much about the other carriers. Of the three is any one preferred for shorter lines @ LAS?
but have heard all of the horror stories about the terminal used by UA but have not heard so much about the other carriers. Of the three is any one preferred for shorter lines @ LAS?
Apr 25, 2004 | 11:21 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Winnetka, CA
Programs: UA Premier, SPG Gold, HP/US/whatever nothing :-)
Posts: 718
Well I've flown HP a couple times and the lines were fairly long but seemed to move relatively smoothly. This was Nov. 2002 and Sept. 2003 however and I have heard nothing but horror stories about all the lines at LAS lately. Might also depend on when you schedule your depature time too. Noon on a Tuesday might not be too bad but 10am on a Sunday (in fact all day on a Sunday) - probably bad.
Apr 26, 2004 | 3:28 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Northridge, CA, - AA EXP 3 MM , Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz PC, Lots of other programs and points
Posts: 1,438
United uses the D gates which usually have a pretty bad line. It all seems to be in the timing at LAS. If you are leaving on a Sunday afternoon or when a convention is ending - Get there early! Theyt are constructing additional security lines at the C & D gates, but they won't be ready for a while.
You can also bypass the D gate security lines with a First Class ticket.
You can also bypass the D gate security lines with a First Class ticket.
Apr 26, 2004 | 5:40 am
#4
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
I can't remember which side it's on, but whenever I fly CO out of LAS, it never seems to have much of a line, whereas when I'm on US the line seems to snake around forever.
Apr 26, 2004 | 9:56 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 7,143
My boss flew out of LAS last Wednesday afternoon (WN - C Gates), and she said there was no line. It only took me about 5 minutes to get through security last Tuesday afternoon (UA).
Apr 26, 2004 | 4:33 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,077
This question cannot be answered without knowing the day of the week and the time of day that you are travelling. It would also be helpful to know if there is a big convention ending at the same time.
In general, the C gates (SWA) and D gates (UA,AA,US) consistently have the worst crowds, particularly on Sundays. However, the D line was <5 minutes at Saturday noon a few weeks ago. Search the SWA and UAL message boards for recent threads on the best/worst times to travel from LAS.
In general, the C gates (SWA) and D gates (UA,AA,US) consistently have the worst crowds, particularly on Sundays. However, the D line was <5 minutes at Saturday noon a few weeks ago. Search the SWA and UAL message boards for recent threads on the best/worst times to travel from LAS.