Security Check Points

[G00fyDad]

We will be flying in and out of Louisville, KY - Atlanta, GA - Orlando, FL - and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Can someone tell me if we will need to go through security at EVERY airport even if we are just laying over? I hope not. That seems to be such a drag.

 

[oogieboogie]

If you're just laying over waiting to change planes, then you wouldn't need to go thru security again since you're already in the terminal.

If you decide to go out of the airport building and then return for your flight, then you will need to go thru security again.

 

[thegales]

In Atlanta, they have an underground subway which takes you between the various terminals. It does not matter if switching airlines, everything is in the 'secure' area of the airport. Only folks entering from the street must go through security.

 

[G00fyDad]

Lord thanks! I just would hate having to go through that crud EVERYtime we layed over. Our flight plan has:

Louisville, KY - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Orlando, FL
then
Orlando, FL - Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA - Louisville, KY

That would be alot of crud for plane flights. Nice to know that I only have 2.

 

[AJKMOM]

Beware, allow plenty of time in Orlando. It is always crowded, and seemingly takes forever to get through security. They make almost everyone take off their shoes and belts. That seems to be the worst part of the trip for us.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Beware, allow plenty of time in Orlando. It is always crowded, and seemingly takes forever to get through security. They make almost everyone take off their shoes and belts. That seems to be the worst part of the trip for us.

Not so on the morning of Jan. 11. Check-in at SWA seemed to take forever with long lines -- security was a breeze. Lines were non-existent and we didn't have to remove our shoes. The TSA guard did empty some things out of DD's DVC backpack to run it through again -- but, otherwise, no problems at all. YMMV.

 

[Caitlin'sMommy]

This seems to be the part of the trip that I am dreading the most. Not long lines, not possible hot and sunny days, not an overstimulated toddler, but security checkpoints in airports. I already am so afraid to fly (haven't been near an airport since 9/11) that this just is stressing me out completely. I have checked the list a million times to make sure nothing will stop me thru the checkpoints, but after the news segments a month or so ago about them "feeling" around every part of a woman's bra, I am petrified to go thru this. Any tips from anyone on this?

 

[Harligirl]

This seems to be the part of the trip that I am dreading the most. Not long lines, not possible hot and sunny days, not an overstimulated toddler, but security checkpoints in airports. I already am so afraid to fly (haven't been near an airport since 9/11) that this just is stressing me out completely. I have checked the list a million times to make sure nothing will stop me thru the checkpoints, but after the news segments a month or so ago about them "feeling" around every part of a woman's bra, I am petrified to go thru this. Any tips from anyone on this?

Hi

Just be prepared when you go thru security- I had no problems the past 2 vacations...I remove all my jewelry (put it in a plastic baggie in carry on), wear stretch pants (no metal buttons, etc), no underwire bra, take off my shoes and jacket, wear absolutely nothing with metal. This has proven to work for me! You will be fine Try not to worry!

 

[oogieboogie]

Security check points isn't really scary at all. At Orlando, there will be a TSA person that will tell you which security gate to go to. While you're waiting in line, put your cellphone in your carry on or better yet, empty your pockets and just put everything in your pocket.

When you get to the metal detectors, grab a bin, take off your shoes and put them in the bin. Put your coats/jackets/sweaters in there too. Put carry ons on their side and run everything thru the conveyor belt. Then walk thru the detectors. If you don't have any metal objects on you, you'll go thru in a breeze.

 

[CarolA]

I have never waited more then about 15 minutes in Orlando. A few suggestions. LOOK at the lines. The last time I was there the DL side had a huge line and SW had none. I was flying DL and went thru the SW line. They are both on the same side of the terminal and once you are thur secuirty you just get on the right train. They will let you do that. (I do it here in Nashville all the time)

And as someone has said earlier, be prepared. (Sorry, but men are the worst. First we all wait while them empty 5 pockets only to wait again when the come back and empty the other three!) Think about your wardrobe. Nope, this isn't a good time to wear those boots you have to pry on and off or that shirt with metal buttons.

 

[G00fyDad]

Man! I have to leave my iron undies at home

 

[ladysoleil]

I have checked the list a million times to make sure nothing will stop me thru the checkpoints, but after the news segments a month or so ago about them "feeling" around every part of a woman's bra, I am petrified to go thru this. Any tips from anyone on this?

I fly often- at least seven or eight flights a year, and I've never been invasively touched by airport security. "Feeling around" shouldn't really happen, although if you are picked for a random screening or are wearing something that keeps setting off the metal detectors that can't be removed you may have security need to do a physical wanding and pat down.

I've gotten the random screening only once since 9/11 and they did a quick patdown and used the hand held wand. The female screener did not touch me rudely or in any areas that I would consider intimate, i.e., no hardcore bra inspection. The screener did quickly and very lightly tap the back of her hand on the bottom band in front and in back of my bra (through my sweater- did not touch me under clothing or request that I lift my shirt or anything like that) but it was fast and not gratuitous. She also lightly tapped a hand across my shoulders, that was it for the underwear inspection.

She wasn't digging her hand up in there or anything like that- her hand was nowhere near anywhere I consider too personal. I think she was quickly trying to determine that I was wearing a bra (which may have been what set off the wand) and if the bra had an underwire (it did) and she moved on. They also fully unpacked, searched, and repacked my carryon, but there were no problems.

If, by some chance this should happen to you, the airport should assign you a female security screener for this, and remove you to a semi-private area- that's what those screens you see in the security areas of most airports are meant for. Also, if they should need to touch you in the chest area, the screener is supposed to use the back of her hand only, not fingers or palm, so it shouldn't really be invasive at all. They will not touch you anywhere inappropriate, don't worry. If by some odd chance you are picked, just be polite and friendly, and do exactly what they ask you to, and they'll speed you on your way as fast as they possibly can.

If you're really nervous about it, wear a sports bra or non-underwire bra (although frankly, I wear underwire all the time and it's never been a problem for me), don't carry a bunch of stuff in your pockets and don't wear anything metal, but really, I've walked through a metal detector with a wristwatch on by accident more than once and at worst they asked me to take it off and step through again.

You really shouldn't worry about it too much. The odds of the random screening aren't that high, from what I can tell. I've taken quite a few flights since 9/11, and I live in the NYC Metro area and fly out of Newark and Kennedy airports where understandably, the security is quite strict. Relax and enjoy your trip!

 

[G00fyDad]

I have a friend that is sooo freaked out by airport security he will not fly. But that is probably because he has a small bench warrant for failing to pay a fine. He thinks they do background checks on people flying.

 

[thegales]

Back to the orignal question:
Ft. Lauderdale has separate Terminals, each with their own security. If your flights in and out of Ft. Lauderdale are all on one airline, you should be okay (but it may be worth calling the airline to make sure they only operate out of one terminal). If you are on different airlines, you may need to switch terminals and go through security again.

The following link is an overview map of the airport.
Ft. Lauderdale Airport
Scroll down to see the airlines at each Terminal / Concourse.

My favorite tip to get through security faster is to wear shoes that can be removed and put back on quickly. This seems to be where most people get held up after they go through security (and block traffic).