How much longer do the security check points with the body scans, etc? Has anyone refused the scan?

Wut?

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

Get there 2 hours before your flight and you'll be fine. That's all you need to know.

More Complete Wrote:
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> Get there 2 hours before your flight and you'll be
> fine. That's all you need to know.


It's cavity search that takes a while. Just make sure to decline the full body scan, and the guy with the blue gloves will take over.

I meant to type: how much longer do the security checkpoints take now because of body scanning. I also read that the scans are not as safe as they were made out to be and wondered if anyone had refused a scan. Is 2 hours really necessary for a domestic flight, I thought 1 and half was ok?

The full body scans take longer because you have to stand, scanned, and then be cleared after a review by folks in the "room". That can take 20 to 60 seconds per person.

As to the time it takes to clear security, it all depends on 1) the time of day, 2) the airline you are flying on, 3) if you have "status" with an airline, and 4) how good of a traveler you are.

My bet is that you are an infrequent traveler and therefore, #3 is not applicable and that #4 would tend to favor a longer time experience.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

Air travel just plain sucks anymore. Instead of a two hour flight you have to plan for a full day. Traffic getting to the airport, long security lines, add on fees close to a hundred bucks, sit on tarmac for an hour waiting to take off or an hour circling waiting to land. Plus seated next to some fat slob who doesnt know what soap and water are.

Pinhead you are absolutely correct- I try to limit air travel as much as possible once I realized that with the delays my flights got, I could almost always drive and get there quicker. The last time I flew there were no body scans, this was in 08 I believe.
It turns out that if they board the passengers and put a plane out on the runway to sit, it does not count as a delayed flight. The last straw was when I was sitting in the plane for like 6 hours- I haven't flown since but unfortunately this time have to fly.

I always try and fly out on the first flight in the morning so my plane will not be delayed. Try and fly non-stop too.

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Attachments:

Air travel Wrote:
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> I always try and fly out on the first flight in
> the morning so my plane will not be delayed. Try
> and fly non-stop too.


Those are indeed tried and true strategies.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

My friend went to Vegas. I told her to pay the extra $ for a non stop but she said she got a great deal with one stop over. She flew out of here fine but got to her connection behind schedule. Connecting flight had already left. Next flight was three hours later. That flight also delayed. Luggage was hopelessly lost. By the time she made it to Vegas the total time from takeoff here to touchdown there was 14 hours minus her luggage.

ALWAYS take non stop, always leave in early AM

Does the ticket you purchase from ABC Airline specifically say to show up 1 or 2 hours before your time of take-off?

I mean - if I purchase a ticket for a flight leaving at 1PM and I have a cab drop me off at Dulles at 12:30PM, seems to me that I have held up my end of the deal. Even if it is "common knowledge" that it takes hours to get through airport security, why the hell does a person have to give in and become part of the herd. I know - I will miss my flight - it is my fault etc...

It would be cool to see someone organize an "On-Time" day where everyone in the nation showed up 30 minutes before their flights, and if thousands and thousands of people could not make it to their flights, then the planes would be leaving basically empty + refunds for tickets (having thousands of people stating that 30 minutes is a reasonable time to show up prior to their flight) = massive loss of $$ for airlines = maybe a change in the system?

Never will happen - just thinking out loud.

How many things do people pay for where they are REQUIRED to show up hours before, or it is THEIR FAULT and they lose the $$ / service + any consequences as a result of not getting the service? (Example losing a job / account etc..)

If flying was not an absolute necessity in our culture, who could sell this service?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/2011 10:59PM by postpoppunk.

postpoppunk Wrote:
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> Does the ticket you purchase from ABC Airline
> specifically say to show up 1 or 2 hours before
> your time of take-off?

They say you must obtain a boarding pass X number of minutes prior to departure and be present at the gate X number of minutes prior to departure. Airlines also state that you if you desire to check bags, they must be checked X number of minutes prior to departure. At airports like Dulles, its usually 45 or 60 minutes prior to departure time.
>
> I mean - if I purchase a ticket for a flight
> leaving at 1PM and I have a cab drop me off at
> Dulles at 12:30PM, seems to me that I have held up
> my end of the deal. Even if it is "common
> knowledge" that it takes hours to get through
> airport security, why the hell does a person have
> to give in and become part of the herd. I know - I
> will miss my flight - it is my fault etc...

If you are not present by doors closing time, the airline has no obligation to honor your ticket.
>
> It would be cool to see someone organize an
> "On-Time" day where everyone in the nation showed
> up 30 minutes before their flights, and if
> thousands and thousands of people could not make
> it to their flights, then the planes would be
> leaving basically empty + refunds for tickets
> (having thousands of people stating that 30
> minutes is a reasonable time to show up prior to
> their flight) = massive loss of $$ for airlines =
> maybe a change in the system?
>

You are forgetting that 98% of airfares are non-refundable air fares which means that if you no-show (for most any reason), the airline gets to keep your money.

> Never will happen - just thinking out loud.
>
> How many things do people pay for where they are
> REQUIRED to show up hours before, or it is THEIR
> FAULT and they lose the $$ / service + any
> consequences as a result of not getting the
> service? (Example losing a job / account etc..)
>
Most any transportation requires advanced checkin - because the commodity is highly perishable.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

If you want my advice then go out of DCA. If you are going to a major city they have plenty of non stop flights and the security check is much faster and usually the line is shorter. They dont seem to have as many foreigners who try to drag everything under the sun onto the plane, thus holding up the security line.

The days of airlines being customer friendly are over. About all you can expect is to receive a ticket for an inflated price with plenty of add on fees. Getting onto a flight and having it leave and arrive on time are just luck.

Yep. Flying today has all the romance of taking the bus, but without the convenience.

Don't see much of an issue, I fly 3 to 4 times a year, I try to get to the airport about 2 hours early, take a leisurely pace through the check-in and security, find a bar near the boarding gate and then have a drink or two before the flight. Paying for a seat upgrade doesn't hurt either. And yes I have had delayed/cancelled flights, it's all part of the game, but,,,,,,,
All in all, I plan ahead, take me time, and realize the world does not revolve around me

I still find flying the best bang for the dollar - contrary to what "up in the air" says. How else can you get from the DC area to Los Angeles for $300 and spend only 6 hours doing it? Not possible.

I fly a lot and used to work in the airline industry. I have status on two different airlines which means I can arrive at the airport - often - about 45 minutes prior to flight departure time. Boarding pass is already printed; carry on in hand; and, I know how to get through security quickly.

Ma and Pa Kettles who fly once every two years are what create headaches. Not knowing that you cannot have your keys in your pocket when you go through the metal detector; not knowing that a steamer trunk does not fit into the overhead; not knowing that airlines no longer serve roast beef (carved seatside) in coach; not knowing that boarding is done by row and by zone; not knowing that weather does cause flights to delay or misconnect (even if it looks sunny and warm outside where you are now); etc.

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

i WILL BE LEAVING ON US AIRWAY ON THE 28 AT 1;45pm. will 12noon be enought time to be there.Also im on carrying a luggage to take on the plane.How much weight is that.This is my first time to fly and by myself im going to myrtle beach and lay over for 1hr at charlotte nc than onto myrtle beach.any helpful hints would be nice.

12:00 should be more than fine for a 1:45 flight - it is a Thursday and that is a light travel time. I would think you could do 12:30 actually at that time


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Size requirements

You're allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. Personal items include a purse, briefcase or laptop bag.

* Up to 45 in/115 cm (14 x 9 x 22 in or 36 x 23 x 56 cm)
* Up to 40 lbs/18 kg

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"...your suffering will be legendary even in Hell!"

"contrary to what "up in the air" says. How else can you get from the DC area to Los Angeles for $300 and spend only 6 hours doing it? Not possible."


While true you must also remember that $300 isnt much money today. Which means every third world goat herder will be seated next to you. Call me a snob but I recall how nice air travel was back in the day before the riff raff started flying.

The last time I took a return trip from Florida a guy tried to bring on a cooler filled with fish he had caught the day before. He didnt appear to have changed his clothes either from the fishing excursion. In other words both he and the fish smelled like low tide on the Potomac. The guy was given a seat but his fish had to be checked. You could smell this redneck slob throughout the whole plane.

up in the air Wrote:
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> The last time I took a return trip from Florida a
> guy tried to bring on a cooler filled with fish he
> had caught the day before. He didnt appear to have
> changed his clothes either from the fishing
> excursion. In other words both he and the fish
> smelled like low tide on the Potomac. The guy was
> given a seat but his fish had to be checked. You
> could smell this redneck slob throughout the whole
> plane.


That guy probably lives here and make 140k a year.

Pinhead the Cenobite Wrote:
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> I fly a lot and used to work in the airline
> industry. I have status on two different airlines
> which means I can arrive at the airport - often -
> about 45 minutes prior to flight departure time.
> Boarding pass is already printed; carry on in
> hand; and, I know how to get through security
> quickly.

I used to fly often and definitely miss those perks. I had the highest status on one airline and lounge access. It was nice being in first class 99% of the time and being able to sit in the lounge rather than the plastic seats. I recall during one big snow storm around here, the news showed a lot of people sleeping in the airports... the airline called me and did whatever necessary to get me on a flight (still got the first class upgrade too, lol). I arrived approximately only four hours later than scheduled.

Agreed. You learn how to pack very efficiently and tips/tricks to get through security quickly.