EWR Security line/PreCheck/Premier Access locations/wait times/issues [CONSOLIDATED]
#76
Join Date: May 2008
Location: worldwide
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 286
nope same chaos at 6am at C3 precheck..2/25/16 got to airport 530am for 7am flight and barely made my flight with precheck.
first it started with guy at airtrain who handed me a cart and put all my luggage on it then said give him a tip more than $6 cause the cart was $6 .. he was wearing a jacket but cant remember the color, now they are allowing people to work as these "porters" and force a tip?? i didnt have any cash and i said no thanks and he took my stuff off and left..
first it started with guy at airtrain who handed me a cart and put all my luggage on it then said give him a tip more than $6 cause the cart was $6 .. he was wearing a jacket but cant remember the color, now they are allowing people to work as these "porters" and force a tip?? i didnt have any cash and i said no thanks and he took my stuff off and left..
#77
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
I know EWR is hit and miss messy, and the pre-check is something between "room for improvement" and "hot mess", but I've seen DEN just as bad. Someone without pre-check almost needs to get in line the night before their flight to not risk missing it.
#78
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Have you been through MSP in the last two weeks or so? The lines stretch the length of the terminal, blocking access and even preventing passengers from seeing the signs for the elite and PreCheck lines, which sometimes have been reported to be almost as bad as the regular lines. The mess have been consistency reported in the local news, with the airport now telling everyone to arrive at least two hours early for ordinary domestic flights. There's no end in sight!
#79
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Marriott Titanium, National EE
Posts: 536
Over a year ago, I was flying through EWR Terminal C almost weekly basis and with Pre-Check, it never took me more than 5 minutes. This is during Monday morning rush. I guess things must have really changed now.
And I while I'm not a fan of TSA I don't think private security will fare better. I've had a couple of bad experience at SFO as well, and they use private security
And I while I'm not a fan of TSA I don't think private security will fare better. I've had a couple of bad experience at SFO as well, and they use private security
#80
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,752
This is what's driving me crazy. C-2 as a whole is usually empty, but Air-Serv is limiting it to wheelchairs only.
I asked the TSA supervisor there, and he said that C-2 is open to anyone, but Air-Serv seems to be either making their own rules or following some ridiculous directive.
I asked the TSA supervisor there, and he said that C-2 is open to anyone, but Air-Serv seems to be either making their own rules or following some ridiculous directive.
#81
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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At SFO, with three pre stations at peak hours, there's no reason to ever wait more than ten minutes to clear security. If T3 is backed up, international G will be empty, and vice-verse.
#82
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#83
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Delta Silver. Former AA gold. UA MP and DL Plat AMEX cardholder
Posts: 1,254
I thankfully haven't stepped foot in Terminal C in over 2 years - but I always recall the security lines being unacceptable dating back to the CO days.
It's just a bad system: 3 massive lines going into 3 piers with only 4-5 TSA staff on staff at a time with those useless blue coat public workers bullying pax around.
It's MUCH MUCH better in Terminal B with DL. They have a brand new security area and seem to get people through rather quickly - even when the AMS & CDG flights leave.
Sidenote: Ever notice when you go outside of Terminal C to get a cab there is a public worker attendant that has to arrange the cab for you and negotiates the fare? EWR is so grease-ball - makes me ashamed of the state I grew up in.
It's just a bad system: 3 massive lines going into 3 piers with only 4-5 TSA staff on staff at a time with those useless blue coat public workers bullying pax around.
It's MUCH MUCH better in Terminal B with DL. They have a brand new security area and seem to get people through rather quickly - even when the AMS & CDG flights leave.
Sidenote: Ever notice when you go outside of Terminal C to get a cab there is a public worker attendant that has to arrange the cab for you and negotiates the fare? EWR is so grease-ball - makes me ashamed of the state I grew up in.
#84
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Join Date: Sep 2002
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This is what's driving me crazy. C-2 as a whole is usually empty, but Air-Serv is limiting it to wheelchairs only.
I asked the TSA supervisor there, and he said that C-2 is open to anyone, but Air-Serv seems to be either making their own rules or following some ridiculous directive.
I asked the TSA supervisor there, and he said that C-2 is open to anyone, but Air-Serv seems to be either making their own rules or following some ridiculous directive.
Private screeners will be held accountable to the PA, but the PA is more of a criminal mafia than most of the 'families' that control northern NJ...so I wouldn't expect much from them.
#85
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,752
But going into a 'closed' off line is a bit iffy for me. What's stopping anyone from entering the premier line in that case? I'm sure the TSA wouldn't care, but who knows
#86
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
OP I avoid EWR when I can. The service there tends to be super rude at check-in. Agents always give me attitude and than TSA is where the nightmare starts. Premier access is an disaster, the way the airport was designed is an disaster, the food is horrible, the lounges are filled with people, and they are constantly changing things left & right.
#87
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
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Posts: 1,684
Glad to hear this. I gave up on JFK many years ago.
#88
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Unfortunately that only applies to T7.
The rest of JFK is a wild west of unpredictable security wait times.
No personal experience with JetBlue, but Delta T4, AA T8, and international T1 are all too unpredictable to be acceptable.
As noted, only LGA seems predictably reasonable.
Will be curious to hear who is the first to play C2 hardball, or whether coming in from the upstairs really is an exception to avoid the line.
The rest of JFK is a wild west of unpredictable security wait times.
No personal experience with JetBlue, but Delta T4, AA T8, and international T1 are all too unpredictable to be acceptable.
As noted, only LGA seems predictably reasonable.
Will be curious to hear who is the first to play C2 hardball, or whether coming in from the upstairs really is an exception to avoid the line.
#89
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: FLL
Programs: United Premier 1K; Alaska MVP 75K; Hilton Honors Diamond; Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 667
I flew out of EWR on Thursday and had not seen such madness in my many years of frequent flying. I had Premier Access and TSA Pre and opted to just go for the Economy line, as it was the quickest (still about 40 min). They shut down C2 and it should be noted that C3 literally had one lane open for ALL of the UA Economy passengers. TSA needs to get their act together. And those blue coats – never in my life have I seen so many passengers get into verbal shouting matches with airport employees. The blue coats are clueless and people are noticing.
#90
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat, Copa Pres. Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 769
I experienced the lines to get in other lines craziness at C3 a few weeks ago as well, truly a nightmare. And C2 being reserved for wheelchairs. So thankful that it's not my home airport anymore!