Make sure you allot enough time for airline check in!

[flyingcircus]

Hi everyone-

FYI- It seems like the airline security lines are getting lengthy again!!

Airline travel is picking up, with all the deals out there, however security is still the same. That means that in many airports, the security that has been dealing with low numbers of travelers, is now dealing with increased travel, and the same amount of security. It is taking a longer time to clear because of long lines, so PLEASE allow yourself extra time. I know last week many airlines were saying 2 hours, but be forewarned, it may be longer.

BEST IDEA- Call your airport information line. It is probably not as hard to get thru as the airlines, and they will have accurate, last minute info.

Good luck

 

[Dragon0525]

Hi Flying Circus,

How was your cruise? How long did it take to get through DIA security? Also, I know United is supposed to be cancelling flights the end of Oct.-do you know if they've already rebooked those that will be affected? One of our flights already changed. I miss having access to Apollo! Thanks.

Joy

 

[ducklite]

I have a question--If someone gets to the airport 2 hours early for their domestic flight, but due to the security lines being ridiculously lengthy, and they mis the flight, what happens?

I guess my quesiton is, whose fault is it. Are they entitled to be compensated? Get a meal? Phone call? be rebooked on another carrier?

I don't see Rule 240 applying, but perhaps it does, as the security people are hired by the carriers. Hmmm...

Just wondering. (And thinking that if they want to bother to enforce the "window dressing" they should add the extra employees to manage it in a timely manner.)

Anne

 

[villainwdw]

 

[julfre]

I just flew CLeveland to Orlando on the 14th and return on the 20th.

In cleveland, there were long lines at the checkin desks, but they moved fast (my guess 30-45 minutes max). I went to curb side checkin and was done in about 2 minutes. On to security-only 3 long lines going, but moving steady. Took me 22 minutes to get through. I had got there 2 hours early and felt that was about right to not be rushed or worried.

On the return trip since I was less familiar with orlando, I got there 2 1/2 hours early. No lines at any of the checkin desks. Was done in under 5 minutes. They had all the checkin stations manned so things went fast. Off to security. No lines there either so I went shopping and ate and didn't go through security until about 45 minutes before my flight. I could have gotten through the whole process in under 15 minutes if I was in a hurry. Orlando had many security stations. You showed your ticket to a guard at an entrance rope and that let you into an area with all the security screening machines. At cleveland, they did the id check and bag search at the same place which slowed things down.

Call first, but 2 hours seems to be a pretty good estimate.

 

[caitycaity]

I know United is supposed to be cancelling flights the end of Oct.-do you know if they've already rebooked those that will be affected?

don't know about all the flights but we called last night and one of our flights was cancelled - AGAIN. we were already rebooked and the woman from united was very nice and effecient.

 

[flyingcircus]

DIA took 10 minutes max for me to clear, but that was Oct 11, at 1:00pm. But, I just went thru security, not to the ticket counter. Of course, now the news is reporting HUGE lines at DIA< that are supposed to be cleared up by Thursday.

When a flight is cancelled, United is trying to contact people- but I don't know how timely it is. Make sure you have a correct contact number in your ressie, as they probably will not continue trying to contact you.

As far as compensation for missing flights due to security's long lines- I think you are out of luck. There is no way that the airline can prove that you were indeed in the security line, and that is why you missed the flight. Security is the number 1 priority, and you must clear it.

I do agree that there should be enough people manning the security areas, however at any time, the lines could grow lengthy, even if there are enough people. For instance- if everyone has their one carry on bag, plus personal item- that will slow down security immensly. There could also be psgrs in front of you that have a large amount of items that are "NO GO". So you really can't say how long the wait could be!

The airlines are aware of the delays, and sometimes they will hold the flight because of it. But it is the responsibililty of the passenger to be on the plane at the correct time!