SFO check-in experience / times (in the COVID era)?
May 29, 2020, 10:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
SFO check-in experience / times (in the COVID era)?
I'm flying out of SFO tomorrow (Saturday) morning for the first time since March. Any advice re: how much time to allow for check-in with TSA-Pre? In the olden days I typically cut it close, but don't know how to calibrate the COVID reduced volume/social distancing/staffing variables. Any guidance from recent experiences? Tia...
May 31, 2020, 4:42 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
Thanks! I actually changed my flight to Sunday morning, so the info is still helpful. The last thing I want is to hang around T3 longer than needed. I'll add an extra 5-10 min for the higher Sunday volume.
Jun 22, 2020, 4:39 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Israel
Programs: UA Platinum, LY Silver
Posts: 630
Recent wait times at T3 UA SFO
Hi all,
Any recent fliers out of T3 at SFO have wait times to report? Is it still super empty? How long should I expect for check-in (premier) and TSA (pre-check)?
Thanks!
Any recent fliers out of T3 at SFO have wait times to report? Is it still super empty? How long should I expect for check-in (premier) and TSA (pre-check)?
Thanks!
Jun 22, 2020, 8:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Israel
Programs: UA Platinum, LY Silver
Posts: 630
Jun 22, 2020, 9:07 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Jun 22, 2020, 9:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SFO
Posts: 220
I've been to SFO about 6-7 times in the past couple months. Each time, I was the only person in the security line. The bag drop line however might take 15 mins since there's fewer staff.
Jun 22, 2020, 10:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,620
As others have posted I was literally one of two people in line at TSA, Pre-check is basically meaningless as is Clear (didn't even know if it was operating). Basically the time is the distance to walk to your gate plus 5 mins maybe. Having said this my experience is only 2 RT trips out of SFO during the SIP. Heading to CLE in 2 weeks again and I suspect it may be a bit busier.
Jun 25, 2020, 9:37 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Israel
Programs: UA Platinum, LY Silver
Posts: 630
At SFO this morning, I opted to be on the safe side and I was glad I did. We arrived at 6:15 for an 8:40 flight. We made it to the gate five minutes before boarding. Check-in took about 45 min - our reservation got split four ways (serves me right for deigning to attempt checking in online) and the agent had to verify our permission to enter the destination country. Security took about 30 min - because the reservation was split, we didn’t have TSA Pre, and had to remove lots of devices from our bags. They did secondary screening on lots of our bags (they kindly changed gloves at our request).