Orlando International Airport press release - security checkpoint process.

[Edd]

The following is a press release by Orlando International Aiport.

Orlando International Airport hires baggage help to expedite security checkpoint process.

The new baggage handling and customer service representative system is up and running at MCO. The program deploys staff from Primeflight Aviation Services Inc. to provide line queue management, divesting assistance for those in line and movement of baggage in the terminal.

"This program, working in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will expedite the screening process by allowing agents who formerly performed those functions to concentrate on baggage and passenger screening. This enhances the overall customer service experience at Orlando International as we begin the busy summer travel season," says Steve Gardner, Executive Director for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

The new baggage program is believed to be one of the only programs of its type in the nation and works in conjunction with the country's only registered traveler program (CLEAR), which resently enrolled over 20,000 members.

This program is another example of Orlando International Airport trying to make your visit to this city an awesome experience.

 

[rlduvall]

Thanks for the great information.

 

[seashoreCM]

The following is a press release by Orlando International Aiport.

This enhances the overall customer service experience at Orlando International as we begin the busy summer travel season," says Steve Gardner,

This program is another example of Orlando International Airport trying to make your visit to this city an awesome experience.

Summer is almost over. What is the date of this press release?

(edits made)
All summer long people have been complaining about long lines at MCO. Seems like Orlando Airport has done too little too late and therefore our (the line-complaining Disboarders') visits to the city have been far from awesome.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Edd]

The press release was from the June issue of Flight Lines. The last I observed long lines seems to be in May or June. Many of the past long line days were when big conventions let out or around the holidays. The is not unusual for any major airport. The summer was pretty good with the lines. However I was here to observe them and did not make comments from what I saw on the boards. It seems there were some posters who observed long lines, but no posts about missing their flights because of the long lines. At least I haven't seen any posts that missed flights. Seems like the the last time you were able to observe the lines was in May, 2005, on your last visit.

I am sorry your last visit to the city was not awesome. However we have approximately 3,000,000 passengers each month who would disagree with you. Orlando, the #1 tourist destination in the world, continues to amaze everybody who visits this great area.

 

[MiaSRN62]

This program is another example of Orlando International Airport trying to make your visit to this city an awesome experience.

Thanks Edd ! We have always had positive experiences at MCO. We flew out of MCO just days after the terrorist threat was exposed this August. We found things very organized and lines were very manageable. Thanks again for the info.

 

[safetymom]

The last time I flew was in July 2006. Before that I was flying almost every 2 weeks. I can't tell you the number of people I saw running to their gates, even pounding on the jet way door because they were late.

I start flying a lot in several weeks. I can't wait to see if they really have the security lines moving faster.

 

[Edd]

You must have updated your posting format by removing the last visit May, 2005. Were the people running to their gates late because of their own actions or the airport actions? I am sure they would be able to talk to an airline employee before they go pounding on the gate way door. In most airports you start pounding on the jet way doors and you are going to get hauled away by the security.

Miami about a year ago, for example. I think the guy got shot. Once that door is closed by the airline employee you won't be able to get on the plane unless the employee calls the pilot to let you on.

Your recent posts, to me, don't seem to be to realistic.

 

[Lewisc]

Edd--At least a month ago someone posted a link, I think to the OrlandoSentinel, regarding this new program.

It sounds like the program is working.

I think it was posted by Carol or safetymom.

I'd hope the GA would let a frustrated passenger knock, even bang, on the closed jetway door once or twice before calling security.

Several posters reported hour long security lines at MCO the beginning of the summer.

 

[Edd]

I stated earlier that the employees, called customer service representatives, were dressed in blue shirts. I take that back. The are dressed in red shirts with the company Prestige written on the shirts, They check your ID and answer all your questions before you head over to the TSA guys. I was up there for a meeting yesterday and observed for about an hour. There was absolutely no line, but it was noticeably slow in the terminal.

Lewis,

It is hard to do anything in the airport now. I watched two young girls run by the ID checker to hug and say bye to a friend yesterday. She actually crossed the line and was in violation. Within seconds the Orlando Police were there talking to the two teenage girls. The police were only stationed maybe 20 yards away when the girls went past the ID line. I thought they were going to call a breech, but they didn't. The cops didn't haul the two girls off. but I think they got a good strong talking to.

 

[safetymom]

Edd, sorry you don't find my posts truthful. I travel quite a bit most of the year from MCO. I have been very vocal here about allowing plenty of extra time to get through security.

I live here in the Orlando area so I think you have me confused with someone else. I truly hope when I start my very frequent flying from MCO in October to be able to report that they have fixed the long security lines and people aren't missing flights. I will report what I find.

BTW, the person was beating on the jetway door before a very bored gate agent came over to find out what the problem was.

The Prestige people must have changed because they didn't used to be very helpful to people asking questions.

 

[Edd]

My mistake, I was actually referring to another Mom that posted on this thread. I am very sorry about making any comments that did not relate to your post.

Yesterday I saw quite a few passengers running to get to the security lines, which only tells me those people are cutting it short and not security.

 

[NotUrsula]

This is kind of old news; the new setup went into operation on May 15th, and was talked about extensively in the local press at that time. It *did* cut the security lines at MCO during the summer; I first noticed the effect on Memorial Day weekend.

That said, this new setup was planned and budgeted for before 8/10 -- before the burden on TSA shifted dramatically to the bag rooms. The Sentinel ran an article last week that indicates that the MCO bag rooms (new system and all) are again very close to becoming overwhelmed: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...736.story?coll=orl-business-headlines-tourism
(I should note here that I don't have an opinion one way or another on the effectiveness of "alternative" bag screening methods; to me, the most important point in the article is the likelihood that the sheer volume of bags will begin to overwhelm the facility as soon as the slow season ends, which will be in early October.)