BYE BYE MCO Security Lines

[ducklite]

I'm afraid taking care of the frequent flyer may reduce the pressure to take care of all passengers.

Considering it's the people who fly once every three years and have way too much crap with them, don't have their ID's out, can't find their boarding passes, can't get the kids to go through the scanner, obsess about their underwire bras setting off the alarm then don't take their cell phone out of their pocket, can't understand why they have to have their bags searched because they've got three boxes of granola bars that look like explosives inside, etc. who hold up the lines 99.9% of the time, I'm all for FF's getting priority treatment.

I think that they need to have seperate lines for FF's at all airports. Unfortunately they don't. Philly is great in that respect. If you are a "preferred" FF or first class passenger, you go through a different line instead of being stuck behind the Bumblewads from East Nowhere who obviously failed reading comprehension in third grade and can't understand "Please place all metal objects from your pockets into the plastic bins, remove shoes and coats/jackets and place them in bins, and have boarding passes and ID's ready for inspection."

Anne

 

[CarolA]

Thanks for the info. I'm flying on a 10:50 am flight this weekend, so maybe I'll do my online app today, and then get to MCO extra early Saturday morning for the rest of the paperwork--it beats cleaning the house... How long did the paperwork take you at MCO? Unfortunately I usually land on one of the last flights of the night, so doing it on landing won't work for me... The other option would be to go next time I"m headed to Florida Mall for a haircut. Making an "extra" trip to the airport costs me $$ in gas and tolls, so I'll try to combine...

I'm assuming my passport and DL will work for ID?

How long after you applied did you get your card?

Thanks for all the advice!!

Anne

I used my passport an DL No problems.

I applied on 3/17 I was notified yesterday my card was in the mail and should be here between three and ten days so who knows

As for frequent flyer lines. I just want seperate MALE and FEMALE lines. I don't know WHY men haven't figured out that all that JUNKE in thier pockets has to come out. And then they don't start until they are NEXT thru the screener. (And business travelers are just as bad as lesiure travelers on this) My experience is that women get thru the process much faster!

 

[hercamore]

I think a lot of travelers are signing up fo rthis clear program in Minneapolis, too.
I don't travel that much, or I would sign up.

Let us know how it works for you!.

herc.

 

[ducklite]

As for frequent flyer lines. I just want seperate MALE and FEMALE lines. I don't know WHY men haven't figured out that all that JUNKE in thier pockets has to come out. And then they don't start until they are NEXT thru the screener. (And business travelers are just as bad as lesiure travelers on this) My experience is that women get thru the process much faster!

I couldn't agree more! My DH finally got a clue and now starts stuffing things from his pockets into his carryon before we even get in line, his biggest problem is his belt buckle--the one he wears normally is large and heavy, and MUST come off. He's usually got that off before we get to the front of the line though. He's learning...

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

Considering it's the people who fly once every three years and have way too much crap with them, don't have their ID's out, can't find their boarding passes, can't get the kids to go through the scanner, obsess about their underwire bras setting off the alarm then don't take their cell phone out of their pocket, can't understand why they have to have their bags searched because they've got three boxes of granola bars that look like explosives inside, etc. who hold up the lines 99.9% of the time, I'm all for FF's getting priority treatment.

This type of passenger is not new but the very long lines at MCO security appears to be new. Allowing a small number of FF to buy a pass doesn't solve the underlying problem. Many of us only fly a handful of times a year but understand the procedure, pay our security fees and have the right to expect a reasonable line at security. Allowing FF to skip a 10-15 minute line may be fair but having a 30-60 minute line isn't really a good way to run an airport.

A solution is to go back to making the passengers who set off the metal detector go on a long line for a secondary screening and not allow them to go through the metal detector multiple times. The announcements, video and employees all do a good job telling people to have their photo ID and BP available. You fly a lot more than I do but I always see passengers having their ID and BP out. For that matter MCO is a tourist destination and should be staffed in order to accommodate vacation flyers who don't know all the tricks.

There is a big difference in how sensitive the metal detector is set. My belt doesn't usually set off the metal detector but I've gotten into the habit of taking it off because some machines do set it off.

In Cancun they didn't even really have us empty our pockets, just pushed us through.

 

[CarolA]

I don't know what is going on at MCO. I don't think that Clear is causing the problems. I think the TSA is just doing thier usual job of "we don't care about the passengers" The lines are out of control and I can't see a reason besides incompetence.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't know what is going on at MCO. I don't think that Clear is causing the problems. I think the TSA is just doing thier usual job of "we don't care about the passengers" The lines are out of control and I can't see a reason besides incompetence.

I'm not saying Clear is causing the problem. My concern is if Clear solves the problem for the frequent business traveler then the TSA may have no motivation to do their jobs. Take care of the "squeaky wheel" and the hell with the rest of us. Clear should be for those frequent business flyers that want to bypass a 10 minute line, not as an alternative to a 45 minute line.

I understand Anne's point regarding the uneducated flyer BUT MCO knows they're getting inexperienced flyers and should be staffed and setup to accommodate them.

 

[ducklite]

I'm not saying Clear is causing the problem. My concern is if Clear solves the problem for the frequent business traveler then the TSA may have no motivation to do their jobs. Take care of the "squeaky wheel" and the hell with the rest of us. Clear should be for those frequent business flyers that want to bypass a 10 minute line, not as an alternative to a 45 minute line.

I understand Anne's point regarding the uneducated flyer BUT MCO knows they're getting inexperienced flyers and should be staffed and setup to accommodate them.

I disagree. Why should they have to overstaff (read extra taxpayer dollars) because people have no common sense and can't read or follow directions. It's been my experience that most of the delays at MCO are caused by passengers who have left their brain at WDW and US. The parties over, back to the real world folks. Until then I'm more than happy to pay what amounts to a few $$ per flight to not have to deal with it.

Anne

 

[safetymom]

Anne, it depends on the clerk you get when you do the iris scan and finger prints at the airport. My clerk was more interested in talking on her cell phone. It took about 10 mins for them to process me. They scan your two forms of ID.

It took about 5 days to be verified and it took about a week after that to receive my card in the mail.

 

[CarolA]

I disagree. Why should they have to overstaff (read extra taxpayer dollars) because people have no common sense and can't read or follow directions. It's been my experience that most of the delays at MCO are caused by passengers who have left their brain at WDW and US. The parties over, back to the real world folks. Until then I'm more than happy to pay what amounts to a few $$ per flight to not have to deal with it.

Anne

Because those "taxpayers" PAID For it just like you and I did. And those "flyers" you don't like are PAYING A LOT MORE for MCO then YOU are. Let's see, they rented a car... (Look at those TAXES for Orlando) They paid the "hotel" occupancy tax etc..... The Orlando area has no qualms about "passing the tax burden" to the traveler....

Sorry, but the lines I saw are NOT due to "flyers leaving thier brains" (They had brains at Christmas, but not NOW????) Something else has happened. MCO is NOT flying that many more passengers then a year ago and the "mix" has not suddenly changed from ALL business travelers to lots of newbies. No, the problem is IN the TSA! I flew out of Atlanta over Christmas with HUNDREDS of folks who I don't think had ever even been in the airport and SOMEHOW the lines were NOT near as long as a Tuesday afternoon at MCO which does not have near the volume.

I am not willing to blame the FLYERS for the fact that the TSA is NOT doing a good job. EVERYONE who got on that plane PAID for service from those folks not just "those of us who fly a lot" THEY ALL DESERVE BETTER!!!!! Acting "Better then them" doesn't help and it's not the problem.

And busines travelers are the WORST! We ALL want to bring our carryon. Look around you next time. Who has THREE carryons per person. It's the female frequent flyer (Here's a HINT, a PURSE is a carryon. I routinely see your frequent flyers with the purse, briefcase and carry on bag.... )

 

[Lewisc]

I thought the passengers, via the 9-11 security fee, not the taxpayers are paying for the cost of TSA screening. My understanding, really from these boards, is the problem at MCO is relatively recent. I don't think the passengers suddenly changed so something must have changed with the TSA.

In one post you're blaming the inexperienced flyer but in another post you mention your DH delays the line when he empties his pocket and takes off his belt. You said he's learning but I have more understanding for a family that flies every 5-10 years than I do for an experienced flyer who sets off the metal detector.

Sorry but I don't see any excuse for passengers having to wait for more than 15 minutes. Separate those passengers who aren't ready or who set off the metal detector.

If people can't follow directions then maybe the directions have to be made clearer, the video screens look clear to me but if that many guests aren't following the rules then maybe the TSA has to come up with a better way to explain the procedure.

Aren't most of the passengers you're describing passengers who are flying home? They already went through security on their flight to MCO and should have some idea of the procedure.

I disagree. Why should they have to overstaff (read extra taxpayer dollars) because people have no common sense and can't read or follow directions. It's been my experience that most of the delays at MCO are caused by passengers who have left their brain at WDW and US. The parties over, back to the real world folks. Until then I'm more than happy to pay what amounts to a few $$ per flight to not have to deal with it.

Anne

 

[safetymom]

You are right. Something has changed in the last several months that is creating these long lines.

Yes we need to insist that something be done about it but in the meantime I am glad I have my Fly Clear card.

 

[ducklite]

I thought the passengers, via the 9-11 security fee, not the taxpayers are paying for the cost of TSA screening. My understanding, really from these boards, is the problem at MCO is relatively recent. I don't think the passengers suddenly changed so something must have changed with the TSA.

IMHO the lines at MCO have always been unacceptable. There have been a LOT more people flying recently, which has compounded the problem--more Bumblewads=longer lines.

In one post you're blaming the inexperienced flyer but in another post you mention your DH delays the line when he empties his pocket and takes off his belt. You said he's learning but I have more understanding for a family that flies every 5-10 years than I do for an experienced flyer who sets off the metal detector.

He doesn't hold up the line. Before he got a clue he used to tell people to go ahead of him. He's an extraordinarily considerate person, and would step out of line (and has done so in the past) before holding it up. He has never had to go through the metal detector three times--except the one time in Detroit that the detector was set so sensitive that his wedding band and watch set the machine off. I kid you not. He wasn't the only one--lots of people had problems that day. And for the record, he is no where as experienced of a traveler as I am.

Sorry but I don't see any excuse for passengers having to wait for more than 15 minutes. Separate those passengers who aren't ready or who set off the metal detector.

If people can't follow directions then maybe the directions have to be made clearer, the video screens look clear to me but if that many guests aren't following the rules then maybe the TSA has to come up with a better way to explain the procedure.

Aren't most of the passengers you're describing passengers who are flying home? They already went through security on their flight to MCO and should have some idea of the procedure.

The directions are as clear as they have to be. The passengers are still in "Mickey-Fog." The procedures are the same at MCO as at every other airport. The people have been through this before--they got there, remember? They are just too "Mickey-fogged" to pay attention on the way back. No amount of additional signage is going to change that. A cattle prod might.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

A cattle prod might.

Anne

I'd hope something less extreme would work but whatever it takes. I'd settle for just moving those passengers into a secondary line. One chance through security then you W A I T.

 

[chipscinderelly]

Has anyone complained that lives in the MCO area? If not please do so, we do in the DFW area when things like the long lines happen and it does make a difference.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Who has THREE carryons per person. It's the female frequent flyer (Here's a HINT, a PURSE is a carryon. I routinely see your frequent flyers with the purse, briefcase and carry on bag.... )

That would be me BUT your purse has to fit completely zipped up inside one of your carry-ons in order to get thru security so its not like they are taking up any more room by having their purse out once they go thru the checkpoint. My purse fits into my rolling briefcase but once I get thru security I also take my purse out and keep that at my feet with my laptop case while my rolling case goes either into the overhead bin or gate checked if on an RJ.

I have to echo that the TSA lines at MCO are horrid. I posted recently about missing a flight due to this. I fly in and out of LAX quite a bit and always thought their lines were nuts until my recent trips to MCO. Give me LGA any day and my Medallion line! It is frustrating when you fly 100+ times a year to be stuck behind people who have no clue about how to go thru security. TSA needs to do a better job of informing the infrequent travelers how to breeze thru security like those of us that are seasoned flyers. Just the presence of a TSA agent on the other side of the metal detector to remind you to empty pockets, take your laptop/video camera out, remove your shoes, etc... would speed the process along quite a bit.

If the business traveler (or anyone for that matter) has the option of paying a premium to avoid the long lines then by all means sign me up. If Clear gets to the airports I frequent then I'll give it a try.

 

[ducklite]

I'm another traveller who you might think has "three carry on's." But I only have two. When I'm in the airport I might have my purse over my should, plus my camera bag and roll-on, but the purse tucks neatly into the roll on before I get onboard. Or perhaps you saw me boarding with my roll on, camera bag, and laptop. The laptop travels in the roll on, and it's faster for everyone if I just carry it on loose rather than having to dig it out once onboard. It and the camera gear fit tidily under the seat in front of me for take off and landing.

Anne

 

[DisOrBust]

Amen CarolA! So sorry if it takes me five more minutes as I try to get my 3,9 and 11yo DDs thru security....I guess we should just stay home and not leave the house until they are able to function as independent adults. I know it would make you happier because they wouldn't be interferring with your meals in any resturants either.

 

[safetymom]

I am a business traveler that only has 2 carry ons. I always check my luggage. I couldn't be bothered dragging it through the airport, through security, into the bathroom, etc. I have my laptop and camera bag.

 

[salmoneous]

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but the whole Clear program appears to be a complete sham. All it does is allow people to pay money and cut the line. The pre-clearing and record checking doesn't do a darn thing - Clear folks still have the same checks at the airport as everyone else. The record checking is just there to hide the true nature of the program.

And while I congratulate any DIS readers smart enough to participate in the program (my annoyance is with the program, not them) it ticks me off that (1) I have to wait in line extra while they jump ahead of me, and (2) I'm too darn cheap to join myself.

PS - As for the whole TSA vs stupid passenger debate, I've never seen the TSA equivalent of not understanding that, yes, that almost-actual-size Texas belt buckle really will set off the metal detector and needs to come off.