How crowded are the airports?

[imgoingtodisney]

We are due to fly out of Providence in about a week. How crowded is the airport now that people need to show up 2 hr ahead? Lots more people waiting for their flights now. Can we find seats? tables to use while waiting?

 

[skeezixspud]

I've been through 3 airports under the new rules, and in all cases the terminals were much LESS crowded, though the checkin lines were sometimes rather long. Remember that non-passengers are no longer allowed past security, so there are only a fraction of the number of people near the gates than before. Also, most planes are flying with lots of empty seats right now, and the reduced air traffic is helping to eliminate flight delays.

 

[flyingcircus]

Hi Everyone-

Today is 9/28. Wanted to give you a heads up about check in times. Here at DIA, there are experiencing 3 hours to check in. Security is handchecking many carry ons- they recommend only bringing one to expedite. PLEASE call your airline/airport first to check on times!!

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

In today's Denver post, it says DIA Airport officials are urging people to arrive 4 hours early for their flights because of the new security that went into effect. This has mainly impacted larger airports. Lots of people with missed flights, and lots of delayed flights since pilots and flight attendants were stuck in the same long lines at the security checkpoints.

A couple of the changes: anyone that sets off the magnetometer as they walk thru must be screened with the hand scanner. Laptops must be removed from cases, and sent thru the x-ray on their own. Closer scrutiny of every bag.

One of the major problems at DIA is that they do not have enough security to run all the available check-points.