Airport Security and Family line?

[jodgaff]

Does anyone know if there is a "family line" at airport security? We are traveling out of Detriot with 4 under 8 and my DH and myself. We each have a carry on and will have a stroller. We plan to get there 3 hours ahead of time so we aren't rushed. I read somewhere that you can request a special line or room to get checked at.... has anyone experienced this? Or when you walk up to the security and you have a large family do you just go into a line? I am ok with that, but I will be taking my time, I don't want the people behind us to get annoyed (which will make me tense).

I am also a meticulous packer so I will have all electronics and liquids in one carry on with me so I can place them out easy. (we are not checking any bags, too cheap, and my parents who live in Fla are meeting us there with diapers, shampoo.....)

Also anything I might over look that I can't carry on?

 

[acpalmer]

I can't speak for Detroit, but Orlando does have a family line that is dedicated that you will be able to use. Be aware, though, it moves VERY slowly, so you will need to have your patience with you. We went through the family line last year (5yo and 7yo) and it took an hour for us to get through the line with only three groups ahead of us. I was ready to kill myself. We travel often, my kids know all the rules, have their shoes off, no strollers, weird carry on items, etc. and I will never use that line again. I kind of thought that we had to because we were traveling with kids, but I will use the regular lines from now on. We move just as fast as any other group.

Does anyone know if you have kids with you if you HAVE to use the family line in Orlando?

 

[npmommie]

I have been thru the line with little kids, and honestly I wouldn't worry about it at all. Have the kids take off their shoes before you get up to your turn, its easy, it does move along, but if you slow it down a bit, I wouldn't worry about it, just throw the shoes and liquids in a bin and when you come out the other side, we just grab everything and move to the side to get shoes back on.
its not so bad.
If someone behind you gets impatient too bad, you bought tickets to fly too, you all have to go thru the same security stuff, so if you get there early and they don't and they are rushed that isn't your problem. the security people aren't going to let the line get held up anyway.
i wouldn't worry. my kids always think its fun to take their shoes off, they can't wait to do that part!

oh and i should add, i also try to make things easy, like all my liquids easy reach in one place, and easy shoes for on and off ( crocs )

 

[npmommie]

I can't speak for Detroit, but Orlando does have a family line that is dedicated that you will be able to use. Be aware, though, it moves VERY slowly, so you will need to have your patience with you. We went through the family line last year (5yo and 7yo) and it took an hour for us to get through the line with only three groups ahead of us. I was ready to kill myself. We travel often, my kids know all the rules, have their shoes off, no strollers, weird carry on items, etc. and I will never use that line again. I kind of thought that we had to because we were traveling with kids, but I will use the regular lines from now on. We move just as fast as any other group.

Does anyone know if you have kids with you if you HAVE to use the family line in Orlando?

No you do not have to use the family line in Orlando, we never have. we always use the regular line in all airports

 

[mjkacmom]

We've flown several times with our 5, and never had a problem. Tell them what they need to do ahead of time, have them wear slip off shoes, and it's pretty easy. I don't think I'd want to spend 3 hours in the airport with them! LOL!

 

[JoliBug]

Some airports have family lines, and some don't. Just make sure you are prepared. We don't have kids, but DH works for TSA. If you go to thier website (I can't post the link because I don't have 10 posts on here but if you google TSA and go to the "for travelers" section, they have a link on traveling with Children under special needs. Like previous posters have said, have them wear slip on shoes and take thier jackets off. If for some reason you have to do additional screening you can request a private room, but no they don't have anything private for walking through the metal detector. Hopefully you get a someone screeing you that likes children as much as DH does, he always has stories about making a game out of getting screened for the little ones if they are freaked out and he is very good about explaining what he is doing to the little ones.

 

[acpalmer]

No you do not have to use the family line in Orlando, we never have. we always use the regular line in all airports

Thank you!! I'm so glad to hear this!

 

[crashbb]

I advise talking to your children about the screening process before you get there. If you think that they might be worried, stand to the side and have them watch a few people go through before you get in line. Let them know that their bags/blankie/whatever goes through the x-ray and that they will have to take off their shoes and walk (alone) through an "arch".

A while ago I was behind a family with a young boy (I'm thinking 4ish, but could be way off) who get hysterical when his Thomas the Tank Engine carry on had to go through the x-ray machine. The agents (it was in the UK, so not TSA, but I don't remember their organization) and the boy's mother dealt with it as best they could, but Thomas had to get x-rayed. I have no idea of any back story, but I would think that some pre-hand information may have helped there.

I also suggest getting everything ready before getting into the line - shoes off (loosend), 3-1-1 baggie out, stuff out from under stroller (so it can be quickly folded or even get it folded), stuff out of pockets, etc. I actually advise this for everyone (and do it myself) not just for those traveling with kids.

Other than that don't get stressed out. Just go through at a comfortable pace and (assuming you aren't standing at the front of the line and then decide to empty your pockets, bags, etc.) those behind you shouldn't be breathing down your neck and, if they are, ignore them. Like a PP said - if the extra minute or so you take is enough to cause them to miss their flight, it's their problem for leaving it so late.

 

[asoko]

We fly out of Detroit. We used NWA last Sept. McNamara does not have a family line. I don't know about Smith. When we went there were very few other people. My biggest stress was from DH yelling behind me to hurry up. Yes, me with the two strollers, DS5 and DD3, stuffed animals and blankets they didn't want to seperate from. And my husband yelling at me to get out of the way...

We are going again in Feb, but without the hubby. Just me and the kids. I've decided that we take as long as we take. If someone is behind us getting annoyed, they need to deal with it. Detroit, I'm sure, has at least 4 different xrays at the security areas. I think McNamara may have 2 seperate areas.

We used the family lane to come back from Orlando, we were the only ones in the line. The TSA agent sent us through that line. I must say, it was the best and easiest Orlando security I've been through. It was so disorganized before.

 

[jodgaff]

Thanks for all of the great info, I will check out the TSA site! And maybe we can set up a pretend screening area at our house. (Oh how times have changed....we used to play "kitchen" now we play "airport screening"

 

[all4fun]

Here's a link to the TSA site (traveling with children). There are even some helpful videos linked at the top that you can show your kids so they know what to expect when going through security.

FWIW, we went through the family line in Orlando on December 23rd, and it didn't take any longer than any other line we have stood in, at an airport. We went through the line pretty fast. It's probably just luck of the draw. I would be frustrated if I had to wait an hour too!

 

[maxiesmom]

Orlando has 3 seperate lines at security, and one is a family line. However, when we went thru in November, they were just shoving you into whatever line was smallest.

You do need to keep your wits about you going thru security in Orlando. We were a family of 6, 3 adults 3 kids, and they put us into 2 seperate lines. Then they wouldn't let the 3 of us, who got thru our line way ahead of the other 3, wait for them at the screening area. They made us ride the tram to the other section of the airport. Not trying to scare you, but we were NOT happy, and I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

 

[all4fun]

Orlando has 3 seperate lines at security, and one is a family line. However, when we went thru in November, they were just shoving you into whatever line was smallest.

You do need to keep your wits about you going thru security in Orlando. We were a family of 6, 3 adults 3 kids, and they put us into 2 seperate lines. Then they wouldn't let the 3 of us, who got thru our line way ahead of the other 3, wait for them at the screening area. They made us ride the tram to the other section of the airport. Not trying to scare you, but we were NOT happy, and I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

That's outrageous, since the TSA website says it's their policy to NOT separate children from their parents.
edit to correct: should have said... That would be outrageous to seperate children from their parents, since the TSA site says they won't do that.

 

[chemysterygal]

It all sounds like great advice!

One odd note - some airports have screening devices that blow a big puff of air when you stand in a "stall" of sorts. I wish I knew exactly what these devices were called, but they scared the crap out of my son the first time we encountered them! He has flown probably 10 or so times, and that was the first time he has missed a beat. The look on his face...

Anyways, you might want to check the screening methods at the airports you will be using. My daughter, 3 at the time, asked me if we were going to have to do the "PFFF" thing the next time we flew. I knew exactly what she meant...DH on the other hand was totally confused until I reminded him about the screening for our last trip.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It all sounds like great advice!

One odd note - some airports have screening devices that blow a big puff of air when you stand in a "stall" of sorts. I wish I knew exactly what these devices were called, but they scared the crap out of my son the first time we encountered them! He has flown probably 10 or so times, and that was the first time he has missed a beat. The look on his face...

Anyways, you might want to check the screening methods at the airports you will be using. My daughter, 3 at the time, asked me if we were going to have to do the "PFFF" thing the next time we flew. I knew exactly what she meant...DH on the other hand was totally confused until I reminded him about the screening for our last trip.

I don't know what it is called, but it tests for residue from explosives. In case you were building a bomb before going to the airport. I have never had to go through one, but I have read about them.

As far as the "family line" at MCO, don't count on it. We are a family of 3 and DS has flown plenty of times - we could almost go through the business traveler line. But when we came home from WDW in August there was this HUGE crush of people and the TSA people were telling you which line you HAD to go stand in. No choices, no arguing.

One of the Dallas airports (not DFW, the smaller one) has those lines. The first time we went they put us (me and DS) in the family line. DS is TWELVE. We don't need special assistance or time and we don't have a stroller, wheelchair, or any other device that would slow us down. We got stuck behind a woman traveling by herself with several small children. One of her girls had a belt on with big old metal things. The big old metal things were too big to pull out of the belt loops without a gigantic struggle, so it took FOREVER. I could have gone through the screening about 8 times in the time it took her to get that stupid belt off of her child.

The next time I flew out of there I was by myself. They only had ONE line open, so we were ALL lumped together - me, the businessmen in line behind me, the clueless slowpokes in front of me who were holding up the line for everybody else. Just because an airport has dedicated lines doesn't mean squat. If the lines aren't open OR people are being sorted into lines by TSA then nothing else really matters.

 

[Schmeck]

That's outrageous, since the TSA website says it's their policy to NOT separate children from their parents.

Since there were 3 adults and 3 children, I don't think 3 kids were sent off to one line by themselves Outrageous, indeed...

 

[jodifla]

Flying out of Detroit isn't usually very crowded. I fly out of there about 10 times a year, and I think 3 hours is probably too much. I normally make sure I'm at the airline counter 2 hours in advance, and even then, unless it's really unusual circumstances, like bad weather or a holiday, I'm still waiting at the gate for over an hour. I'm often checked in and through security in 20 or 25 minutes.

Orlando, on the other hand, can be quite crowded, so more time there is beneficial.

On parking in Detroit, I highly recommend QwikPark. Stay away from the Big Blue Deck.

 

[all4fun]

Since there were 3 adults and 3 children, I don't think 3 kids were sent off to one line by themselves Outrageous, indeed...

Well, thank you schemck, for pointing out my mistake. you're right, I should have read that post a little better.

 

[all4fun]

sorry double post

 

[jodgaff]

Flying out of Detroit isn't usually very crowded. I fly out of there about 10 times a year, and I think 3 hours is probably too much. I normally make sure I'm at the airline counter 2 hours in advance, and even then, unless it's really unusual circumstances, like bad weather or a holiday, I'm still waiting at the gate for over an hour. I'm often checked in and through security in 20 or 25 minutes.

Thanks. I don't want to be there too early, but don't want to feel rushed either. Our flight is at 10:00am on a Sunday, so I will try to get there around 8:00...?
(which will be a little better for the little ones and my DH .... I on the other hand will be up at 5:00am counting the minutes 'till we see Mickey!)