Airport security - US Air experience

[MichelleTO]

We drove over the border, Queenston lewiston bridge. No real delay, checked ID, we used our Ontario Drivers liscenses. Looked in the back of the van. Thats it.

At the Buffalo Airport, we arrive 1.5 hrs before flight. Long line up at US Air. only 2 agents working at checking in hundreds of passengers most of whom had tickets thatneeded to be changed due to US Air changing and canx flights. They had overbooked our flight by 180 passengers, even the agents were laughing at this. Everything and anything got blamed on Sept 11th. Even the US Air agent made a comment that it isn't like they didn't know they were going to have this problem. We insisted on getting on the flgiht and we did. they were offering peopl free round trip tickets and a late flight getting into Orlando flying first class and extra US Air Prefered miles. The offer kept getting better and they finally were down to only finding 11 more volunteers by the time we went through security. We went through regualr security checks and they randomly chose passengers to "pad" down, my 63 year old mother was chosen and we had a good laugh.They checked our photo ID again at the gate to get onto the plane.
In Charlotte the uS National guard were present with rifles drawn. again checked photo ID at gate. In orlando nothing different and anyone could access baggage claim area and nobody checked our luggage clam tags to our luggage.

They way home again US Air had overbooked the flight and this time we took the bump and the free tickets. We ended up on a better flight (bigger plane and better connecting airport) and arrive only 2 hour late to buffalo. Again only photo iD checks. They did however Xray 2 of our bags and umbrella strollers. They randomly have it come up on the computer bags they want xrayed. They take these bags to a seperate xray area and put them though and check your tickets. they had an argument over the strollers, they couldn't figure out why they needed to do them since they were umbrella type and not much to xray. WARNING! DO not pack any film, low speed regular or anything in a camera in your luggage. This type of xray process ruins all film and many people who were having their bags done had to spend time fishing out film and cameras. The regular bag screening that you put your carry on bags through only affects high speed film. Again in buffalo anyone can access bagage claim and nobody checked to match our bags to claim tickets.

Easy crossing again at Queenston Lewiston, a minor slow donw as the US Customs stopped the odd car to check ID before you got to the Duty Free and then just regular question at Canada Customs.

We now have free round trip flight vouchers! Yeah, back to Disney before my AP is up! Think about taking a bump if you can handle the inconvenience, it amy be worth it if you can use the free flights.

 

[Baboo]

Sounds like things weren't TOO bad Michelle. I think that you did it the right way, taking the bump on the way home. I'd rather get there on time and be a couple of hours late coming home. How was the rest of your trip?

 

[cdntowdw]

Michelle - so glad to hear you are home safe and sound. Hope your trip was enjoyable. Thank you for the detailed info on your USAir flights. We also go out on the 3rd on USAir through BUF. Just got put back on our non-stop flight to MCO after being moved just last week because the same flight was cancelled. I don't think they know which end us up. I expect our return flight through CLT is over-booked and will gladly take a bump for our return - but will mean waiting until Sunday to fly home or another airline since it is USAir's last flight of the day. Do you think they will throw in a night's hotel costs as well?

 

[SandraC]

WELCOME BACK! How was Mickey? What rides did you go on? How was the weather? LOVE TO HEAR MORE! Congrats on the free tickets!

 

[MichelleTO]

The rest of the trip was great Baboo, it wasn't too bad at all with security we were prepared fro worse. What concerned me was the lack of security more than the waits. I thought they would be much more consistant. It seems each airport has different standards. It made Toronto look tight! The real slow downs were not for security reasons but for check in. With so many changes they spend along time with each person usually changing tickets and trying to figure out seat assignments. Of course they never had enough staff on duty at US Air to check people in, cutbacks I guess.

Cdntowdw -Glad to hear the direct flight is back on! If you want the bump offer but not too easily. say you will only take it if they put you up in a hotel and ask for meal vouchers as well. When we were bumped we asked for the meal vouchers, but didn't get them, he said he could and for a 2 hour delay not over meal times it was a stretch. Happy with the tickets. They were offering seats on other airlines so you may be able to get bumped and home the Sat night or be rerouted through PHL or some other connector.

SandraC the trip report will be posted soon! it was great, did tons of rides and had a great time at MNSSHP, your DD would love IT.
just giot the pictures back today and got a great one of the Headless Horseman at a full gallop! only bad thing was poor service at the POly, see my post on the Resort board. I'll hopefully do the trip report in the next day or 2, I still haven't finished unpacking or laub\ndry , too busy posting!!!!

 

[SandraC]

Michelle, did you notice many closures?

 

[MichelleTO]

Hi Sandra C
THe only closure that we noticed was the honey I shrunk the kids playground. THis is a fave of my kids so they were very upset. The CM said it was closed till January. All other attractions were running, other than those already scheduled for downtime. We noticed some of the smaller fast food counters closed, that didn't effect us. They siad they have reduced the show times but again we didn't notice that as they stille seemed to have plenty of shows running.