Pittsburgh Airport Question

[chaoskids]

Can you still curbside check at Pittsburgh International? I thought I read once that if you are being dropped off and can go with your luggage, curbside check is still available. My question is what happens? When they check your luggage, is it screened somewhere right there or do you still need to take it somewhere else? I plan to call the airport later this morning but I was just wondering if anyone had any first hand knowledge.

Thanks!

Terri

 

[safetymom]

You can check in at the curb but you still have to bring your luggage inside to be screened. The screening machines are in the airport. You can also go to the ticket counter, then they direct you to baggage screening. They were supposed to have curbside this summer but it was delayed. You stay with your luggage although several times they asked if I was in a hurry I could drop it and leave inside. So I would plan on extra time for screening.

http://www.pitairport.com/HomePageServlet

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Pittsburgh, PA


Recommended Check-In Times
Off-Peak
Peak

45 minutes
1 hour
90 minutes - Monday, Saturday, Sunday between 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.



Airport Information
Ticket Counter Opens: 4:45 a.m.
Ticket Counter Closes: 10:15 p.m., Sunday 5:30 p.m.
Peak Traffic Times: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Curbside Check-In: Available
Self-Service Check-In Kiosks: Available
Priority Check-in Lanes: Available

Pittsburgh International Ticket Counter

Recommended Check-In Times
Envoy Class
Economy Class

1 hour 30 minutes 1 hour 30 minutes



Airport Information
Ticket Counter Opens: 4:45 a.m.
Ticket Counter Closes: 10:15 p.m.
Peak Traffic Times: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Curbside Check-In: Not Available
Self-Service Check-In Kiosks: Not Available
Priority Check-in Lanes: Available


Note: Check-in time information is regularly reviewed for accuracy, however all times are approximates.

 

[chaoskids]

Safetymom,

When I called the Pit airport information this morning, they told me that you can curbside check you bags leave them there and then car park. What do you think about that information? Has that been your experience?

We are traveling with 4 boys age 10 to 22 months and I'm trying to forsee any problems/issues. Thanks for all your help.

Terri

 

[safetymom]

Since it was reported here in the PIT newspaper about screening and curbside luggage being delayed I haven't tried curbside. I did see a long line outside the last time I flew. I figured I would end up inside anyway so just did it inside.

Curbside is so much more convenient I hope for your sake it is working when you travel.

 

[DebbieB]

Please post how it turned out when you return. I hope the old way of curbside check did come back. I know a friend used it in June and the skycap carted the luggage for them into the terminal and to the screening area, got the boarding passes for them, but they were there when the bags went through screening.

 

[safetymom]

http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews/20030829airport0829p4.asp

Work begins on airport's bomb-scanning equipment

Friday, August 29, 2003

By Bill Toland, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Work began this week on the installation of bomb-scanning equipment that will be tied into a baggage-checking system at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The integrated system could be installed by the end of July, at which point passengers flying with an airline other than US Airways will be able to check their baggage and have it screened for explosives in one spot -- at curbside, generally.

Since January, when new security measures were put in place, passengers have been lugging their bags from the check-in area to the ticketing level of the landside building, so the baggage can be checked for bombs in a screening machine.

"You have to go to one line to get your ticket, and go to another line to get your baggage screened," airport spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny said.

"The new system saves time for the passenger."

Last month, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration authorized the installation of the $15 million baggage-screening system for the airport's non-US Airways airlines.

The Federal Aviation Administration has released $11.3 million to be put toward the system's cost, and the Allegheny County Airport Authority will cover the rest.

Most of the construction and design work is being overseen by Lockheed Martin.

Meanwhile, work has yet to begin on the much-delayed explosive-screening system that will tie into US Airways' existing automated baggage system.

The airport authority, which initially had hoped to have both screening systems installed by November, is still waiting for a TSA-appointed contractor to design the US Airways system. After the design is completed, the authority will oversee construction.

The airport also announced this week that airport security employees will be receiving new identification badges, possibly starting at the end of September.

The ID badges, and the devices that scan them, will be equipped with new thumbprint- or palm print-reading technology, Jenny said.

 

[chaoskids]

Safetymom,

Thanks for posting the article. It prompterd another call to the airport. The woman who answered again stated curbside check in was available and her conversation seemed to indicate that all was the same as always. However, when I specifically asked if we have to stay with our luggage she said we did.

Thank you for taking the time to post this.

Terri

 

[safetymom]

I know it is confusing. I have the perk of being preferred with USAirways so I always get the shorter line to do baggage but I still miss just dropping it off at the curb and then parking.