What is it really like to check in now at airport in USA?

Question

I haven't flown in about 10 years & am planning a trip soon. What do you do different nowadays that didn't do before 9/11? Do you stand in line for hours? Can you sit to take off shoes? Is it really as bad as it sounds?

Answer 1

I travel often, and while getting through security takes longer than it did before, I've never had a horrible expirence.

The best thing to do is arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check your bags and get through security. 2 hours prior to your flight is sufficent for most domestic flights. If you're flying at a busy time (around holidays) or through a busy airport you may want to call your airline and ask what the aprox wait time is at the ticket counter. The longest I've ever had to wait to check in for a flight was 1 hour in Maui, however, I always have to wait at that airport. Of course, weather delays and canceled flights will increase your wait time.

Be sure to have everything ready when you go through security. Keep your ID and boarding pass ready to show the TSA agents, remove your shoes while you're standing in line, carry as little as possible in your carry on, be prepared to remove your computer from your bag, and make sure you follow the guidelines regarding liquids. Here's a link to the TSA website that will give you all the info you need to get through security with as little hassle as possible http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/airtravel/index.shtm

The TSA also provides a resource for figuring the aproximate wait times at various airports. Simply fill in the requested feilds, but remeber that the times are aproximate. Acutall wait times may vary. Also, the time give is the wait time to get to the checkpoint, not through it. http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html

The biggest thing to remember is to give yourself plenty of time and not get upset about having to wait. Waiting is a part of air travel.

Answer 2

For inner-country flights, I have not encountered long lines and yes, you can sit down to take off your shoes. I have been to France and back since 9/11 and have not encountered such problems on that return flight, either. Yes, they will check your bags more judiciously and there will be more checkpoints, but it's really not all that bad.

Once you get past a checkpoint, you should feel pretty relaxed. No one will be running after you and asking to check your bags while you are just walking around. There's really no atmosphere of "being scrutinized" or anything like that. Just the various bag-checks and body-scans at the checkpoints are more extensively executed.

Unfortunately, if you are of a darker skin color (especially if you appear to be or are of Middle Eastern descent) it is possible that you will be "watched" by security (and by people). There's some outrage over this in the states, but this type of thing still shouldn't limit you too much. Everyone knows what descent the 9/11 hijackers were, so it's a sort of natural reaction. People and security are generally polite and do their best not to show their quasi-suspicions.

Answer 3

now and back we misunderstand your remark expensive, yet because i understand which you're a muallaf, i will settle to your problem you place on your questions. properly like a number of our muslims sisters and brothers asserting, enable them to hunt. i wish they seek it proper no longer purely a proforma; that's a pity that they only seek "the muslim's seem" as a results of fact the bomber may be each guy or woman. Checking hand luggage interior the airport is widespread, they do this random because long term in the past. Dont problem, subject replaced, have you ever study what V.Putin suggested the different day abt Bush ? that's interresting. Salaam

Answer 4

We've flown several times in the past year, most recently in December. People are more serious and follow the rules more closely. Non-passengers aren't allowed beyond the security check points to the gates. No more picking people up at the gate. The lines are longer, but not terrible if you are patient. There is not a place to sit down to take off your shoes. Go to your airline's website for guidelines on what you can bring on the plane and how to pack your carry on bag. Don't be surprized if you are picked to have the extra security check where they put you in a special corral and go through your bags with gloves on. Happens to me all the time.

Answer 5

There's more security now, but you shouldn't wait in line for hours unless there are weather delays. I travel only 3 or 4 times a year, but I almost always get through security in 10-20 minutes. You will have to take your shoes off in line, but there is usually seating to put them back on. If you take a camcorder or laptop, have those out of any bags so they can be seen by TSA and remember not to take any bottles that contain fluids or gels that amount to more than 3 ounces. Go to www.tsa.gov for any other information but above all, don't stress and have yourself a great trip!

Answer 6

Easier to get in and out of USA than Sydney, Australia. Security in the States seems a lot more relaxed in USA than other countries which is kind of bizarre. On two trips to the USA since 9/11 one to LA and one to NY (weeks ago) I have found the security in USA to be somewhat haphazard but in Sydney a lot more security seems to be undertaken eg. things like flying with cigarette lighters, matches etc are not allowed on flights to USA but from USA you can take them with you in hand luggage or pockets but you then need to get rid of them before you arrive Sydney where you are not allowed to enter with them. Very perculiar. Also found checking of luggage less stringent. Don't know whether it is the volume of travellers, the actual security personnel laziness or whether USA seem to think despite 9/11 it won't happen again. I sense it is the latter as both trips people seem to be of the opinion that no one would dare do that again in the USA. The rest of the world seems to have a sense of "if it happened in USA it could happen anywhere" and take it all very seriously even domestically. Even a trip to Ground Zero did nothing to quell this feeling as I found it not all a deep experience as visiting other terrorist sites eg in Bali. I know the locals need to move on and continue about their lives but really it wasn't that long ago and the rest of the world seems to have more of a sense of what it all means and what the future could hold for everyone therefore not only do they appear more reverent but also more aware of possibilities.

Answer 7

This is probably just a waste of comment space but whatever...

assuming that airports in canada are the same in the us..
things are just a bit tighter...

you arrive at the airport 3 hours early, go check in and get your ticket, and load your baggage.... then you go through the metal detectors... nothing that is metal should be worn... if you have screws in your foot (just an example) you should let them know before you go through the detector... you are not to bring any form of drink onto the aircraft, not even water... they will make you throw it out or drink it...

you can't have mathsets, toenail clippers, nail files(metal), knitting supplies(the tongs are sharp) etc...

if you bring a laptop, gameboy, cellphone(which has to be turned off), electronic day planner... anything that uses battery power.. or energy.. you must turn on while going through security to prove that it works... otherwise it could be suspected as a bomb...

After 9/11 things just became tighter...
they're just a lot stricter with what you're allowed to take onto the aircraft..

anyways.. that is only for canada though... i suggest you ask this same question in the american section of yahoo answers (at the bottom of page)

hope that helps!

ciao.

Answer 8

Until you've done it a few times, plan at least 2 hours at the airport before your flight leaves. The airline you are flying on will be glad to give you tips you need to know, especially if you might expect a meal during the time you are on board.

Answer 9

It's absolutely horrific! Expect to be treated like a criminal. The people working at U.S. airports are disrespectful, rude and abusive.

Cat C: There's nothing "beefed up" about our security. In fact our security is nothing more than an illusion. These TSA guys don't know the bad guys from the good - hence their ridiculous searches and harassment of innocent travellers. Yeah.... they sure look busy - but they're really accomplishing nothing more than upsetting law abiding people.

Kazmers: Have you ever been to LAX or EWR? Total chaos - with hundreds of people stuck in lines for hours - EVERYWHERE!

JAY: Well put. Actually in reality these TSA guys are nothing more than a bunch of untrained unprofessional losers who were given a uniform and as a result have egos the size of a truck! These guys never amounted to anything in their lives but with that uniform and so called pretend security job this is the only chance they get to treat people in a condescending manner. Here's an example of one of my own experience: I was at FLL and one of the TSA security guys working there at the time was the valet in my building just two weeks prior!!!!!!!

Edit:
To those who don't like my comments, I suggest that you move to China or North Korea. Don't be surprised though when you find yourself being treated better over there!!! It never ceases to amaze me how we all rant and rave about being such a free nation - but when our own civil liberties are threatened we just look the other way, pretending that everything is OK.

rogs: On my trips to SYD I've ALWAYS been treated well and withrespect.

Edit:
To those "thumbs downers" FYI - I've NEVER been mistreated in any country I've visited, and I travel all over the world. I only get mistreated back here at home, 99% of the time.

Answer 10

If you have everything together and don't screw around it shouldn't take too long. Sometimes the lines can be long, sometimes they're short. There's not really a place to sit down to take your shoes off, but you can sit down to put them back on. Just don't get too flustered and things will go smoothly.