TSA questions (2 Viewers)

[ghostguy123]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

Yup. Just an empty plane filled with everyone's luggage.

Well, let's say ya got a plane of 150 people. 148 bring carry on. 2 people check their bags two hours before takeoff.
TSA takes 3 hours.

What do they do?

So an empty plane with 2 checked bags? In all seriousness I think all the flights would be delayed but never been in that situation where the entire airport was backed up to that degree.

No, 148 people on the plane.
Two checking bags.
Let's do the math again. If you can't check the bags till two hours before takeoff, and the security line is 3 hours......,...

 

[NutterButter]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

Yup. Just an empty plane filled with everyone's luggage.

Well, let's say ya got a plane of 150 people. 148 bring carry on. 2 people check their bags two hours before takeoff.
TSA takes 3 hours.

What do they do?

So an empty plane with 2 checked bags? In all seriousness I think all the flights would be delayed but never been in that situation where the entire airport was backed up to that degree.

No, 148 people on the plane.
Two checking bags.
Let's do the math again. If you can't check the bags till two hours before takeoff, and the security line is 3 hours......,...

I would think most of those 148 people would be stuck in the tsa line. So an almost empty plane.

 

[krista4]

I don't know where the "two hours before" limit is coming from, but might have been airline specific. That is certainly not the standard across the board.

 

[ghostguy123]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

Yup. Just an empty plane filled with everyone's luggage.

Well, let's say ya got a plane of 150 people. 148 bring carry on. 2 people check their bags two hours before takeoff.
TSA takes 3 hours.

What do they do?

So an empty plane with 2 checked bags? In all seriousness I think all the flights would be delayed but never been in that situation where the entire airport was backed up to that degree.

No, 148 people on the plane.
Two checking bags.
Let's do the math again. If you can't check the bags till two hours before takeoff, and the security line is 3 hours......,...

I would think most of those 148 people would be stuck in the tsa line. So an almost empty plane.

You're simply not understanding

 

[ghostguy123]

I don't know where the "two hours before" limit is coming from, but might have been airline specific. That is certainly not the standard across the board.

I have no idea what's standard. I haven't checked a bag in over a decade till this trip, and that was the only time I ever did till now.
I'm flying cheap azz Breeze Airlines. Might have something to do with it, who knows.

 

[krista4]

I don't know where the "two hours before" limit is coming from, but might have been airline specific. That is certainly not the standard across the board.

I have no idea what's standard. I haven't checked a bag in over a decade till this trip, and that was the only time I ever did till now.
I'm flying cheap azz Breeze Airlines. Might have something to do with it, who knows.

Gotcha. You were asking someone else about their own situation regarding a three-hour TSA wait time on the apparent assumption that it was standard and not just applicable to Breeze, etc. That's the disconnect.

By the way, I have a friend from the UK who needs to get a flight between two small-ish airports here, and Breeze was the only non-stop option, so she texted to ask me about it. I'd never heard of the airline. I'd be interested to hear what you think.

 

[ghostguy123]

This was the reply I got when I emailed them.


"Our ticket counter opens two hours prior-to the scheduled departure time. We suggest being there to check your bag right when it opens if you are worried about security lines. We don't have control over security lines. If you are worried you are going to miss your flight, any change or cancellation needs to be done at least an hour before departure to avoid forfeiting the fare."

I know it's not likely, but certainly possible we could check our bags and then be stuck in a super long security line. It's not like I would have any way of knowing how long security will take.

I asked them what happens if I check our luggage and then an hour later we realize we will never get through security in time, and asked if they will just fly away with our luggage.

I am awaiting the reply.


Edit. The reply

"If that does happen, please reach out to us immediately and we will do our best to support you."

 

[ghostguy123]

I don't know where the "two hours before" limit is coming from, but might have been airline specific. That is certainly not the standard across the board.

I have no idea what's standard. I haven't checked a bag in over a decade till this trip, and that was the only time I ever did till now.
I'm flying cheap azz Breeze Airlines. Might have something to do with it, who knows.

Gotcha. You were asking someone else about their own situation regarding a three-hour TSA wait time on the apparent assumption that it was standard and not just applicable to Breeze, etc. That's the disconnect.

By the way, I have a friend from the UK who needs to get a flight between two small-ish airports here, and Breeze was the only non-stop option, so she texted to ask me about it. I'd never heard of the airline. I'd be interested to hear what you think.

Our flight out of Akron was super easy. We could have got there 45 minutes before takeoff and not even had to rush. Small airport though.
The flight itself was fine. I don't have a ton to compare it to, but zero complaints. There's no frills though. Only frill is a USB port on the back of the seat in front of you.

 

[Instinctive]

This was the reply I got when I emailed them.


"Our ticket counter opens two hours prior-to the scheduled departure time. We suggest being there to check your bag right when it opens if you are worried about security lines. We don't have control over security lines. If you are worried you are going to miss your flight, any change or cancellation needs to be done at least an hour before departure to avoid forfeiting the fare."

I know it's not likely, but certainly possible we could check our bags and then be stuck in a super long security line. It's not like I would have any way of knowing how long security will take.

I asked them what happens if I check our luggage and then an hour later we realize we will never get through security in time, and asked if they will just fly away with our luggage.

I am awaiting the reply.

I've literally never seen a security line take that long at the most busy airports in the world at the most busy times. And EVEN IF it were going to be that long, with a family you can always be the "ahh we're gonna miss our flight can we cut?" and go to the front.

 

[beer 30]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

In all seriousness I think all the flights would be delayed

If TSA is backed up, most of your flight is going to be in line with you as well. Typically what I've seen the few times it happens is they just hold the plane until folks get through.

As for longest wait, 30-45 minutes maybe? Out of DEN.

 

[Hawks64]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Flying out of Denver two summers ago when they were doing major construction so one entire side of the security was down - I believe it took my son and I about 3 hours to get through (TSA line was almost as long, I believe that was taking almost 2 hours). It was the most insane thing ever. Fortunately for us we had to be dropped off very early which turned into it's own adventure because we couldn't check our bags in yet when we got there, so was just watching the security line get longer and longer while trying to time getting into the line to drop off our bags.

Fun thing for my son, who is going to be a pilot, is that the person in front of us in the security line was a Major in the Air Force that was a flight instructor at the academy, so they had a long conversation about flying, his different options for getting his license, etc.

So exactly how does this work when they don't even let you check your bags until 2 hours before takeoff?
So you check your bags and the plane leaves while you're trying to get through security??

Yup. Just an empty plane filled with everyone's luggage.

Well, let's say ya got a plane of 150 people. 148 bring carry on. 2 people check their bags two hours before takeoff.
TSA takes 3 hours.

What do they do?

I fly American out of ORD and have never encountered the 2 hours before take-off limit.

 

[Kanil]

So I'm flying out of Orlando tomorrow, and got a message that TSA lines may be longer and to get there early. Well, the bag check counter doesn't even allow you to check your bags until 2 hours before the flight, so kinda limited on how early we can even be.
However, they sent me an email with a TSA link to the APP to "reserve a spot in line".
Anyone know anything about this or how it works? Is it worth it?

I use this every time I fly out of Denver. Very worth it. The reservation line is usually shorter than the TSA Precheck line.

 

[beer 30]

So I'm flying out of Orlando tomorrow, and got a message that TSA lines may be longer and to get there early. Well, the bag check counter doesn't even allow you to check your bags until 2 hours before the flight, so kinda limited on how early we can even be.
However, they sent me an email with a TSA link to the APP to "reserve a spot in line".
Anyone know anything about this or how it works? Is it worth it?

I use this every time I fly out of Denver. Very worth it. The reservation line is usually shorter than the TSA Precheck line.

Denver is one of a very few airports where TSA Pre-Check doesn't seem to benefit you at all. Love watching the Clear minimum wagers trying to snipe pre-checkers to push a subscription.

 

[ghostguy123]

New wrinkle here, the wife left her wallet in the rental car, and it's already been pulled away to be serviced.
This.........is gonna suck on all fronts

 

[ghostguy123]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

 

[nirad3]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

Yikes, reminds me of a trip of mine to Austin back in October where I returned my rental car at the airport, only to find my company credit card not in my wallet. I had just filled up with gas, so thought I may have thrown it on the passenger seat w/ my wallet, the car key and maybe the receipt.... the car was still in the queue but my card was nowhere to be found.

Fortunately I wasn't flying out that day; just taking an Uber back to the hotel (didn't need the car anymore) and my driver stopped at the gas station I had filled up at, and miraculously my card had been turned in (I musta left it in the slot on the pump).

 

[ghostguy123]

I've been to Florida 4 times with my wife. This is the second time we've had to go through security without her ID cause she left it somewhere.

Oh well, I didn't get a chance to use the security reserve time. They wouldn't let us through that line without an ID

 

[Fat Nick]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

It is down right shocking how fast and generally relaxing my work travel is vs. going somewhere with the wife and kids. I have my routine down to a science. Throw family into the mix, and the random bathroom breaks, frequent water bottle fill-ups, and constant general needs slow everything down so much.

 

[nirad3]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

It is down right shocking how fast and generally relaxing my work travel is vs. going somewhere with the wife and kids. I have my routine down to a science. Throw family into the mix, and the random bathroom breaks, frequent water bottle fill-ups, and constant general needs slow everything down so much.

Haha - preach. I travel for work 1-2 times a month and haven't been on a plane with my wife & kids.... well, ever. I took my son to Minnesota a couple summers ago while the girls went to Texas. I can only imagine how much "more" there is with even a couple of tween/teens with me, plus the wife who rarely travels. We are all going to Vegas over Easter (not flying) and I'm already dreading it.

 

[Kanil]

New wrinkle here, the wife left her wallet in the rental car, and it's already been pulled away to be serviced.
This.........is gonna suck on all fronts

Last time I travelled for work I went out the night before we left. Got back to my room at like 1am and had to leave for the airport at 5am. 1am me was smart af and packed everything, including the clothes I was wearing that night so I wouldnt have to worry about it in the morning. Got to the airport and COULDNT FIND MY WALLET. Panic ensued until I got into my luggage and checked the pants I wore the night before. Crisis averted, but daaaang that was a close one.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

Yeah definitely not. Pre check is only you and your minor children.

Yeah thought so, I was definitely just thinking of being able to include a family member if you have a better group number for boarding. I'm dumb. LOL

FWIW I was asking because in a couple of weeks the domestic patnah' and I have to go up to LAX to pick up our daughter who's returning from a school spring break trip to Boston. According to the Googlez, we have to go to the ticket counter and give them a copy of our kid's itinerary and our ID to get a "gate pass" so we can go through TSA and go wait for her at the gate.

precheck won’t work for you that. When my kid went to HI by herself for the first time, I got the gate pass. Went to precheck, they told me to pound sand. Kid said “I’m good dad”. And off she went. She was 13?

 

[beer 30]

This is the second time we've had to go through security without her ID cause she left it somewhere.

I know you can't but boy how tempting to hop in the security line and say, "see ya at home, good luck."

It is down right shocking how fast and generally relaxing my work travel is vs. going somewhere with the wife and kids. I have my routine down to a science. Throw family into the mix, and the random bathroom breaks, frequent water bottle fill-ups, and constant general needs slow everything down so much.

My family is grown but occasionally I've had to travel with my wife over the last few years and I might as well as had a toddler with me. You have to walk them through everything, everything is stress/drama. Drives me nuts. Fly solo and it's like a vacation day anymore, add someone who hasn't flown much and world ending catastrophe.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I don't know where the "two hours before" limit is coming from, but might have been airline specific. That is certainly not the standard across the board.

I have no idea what's standard. I haven't checked a bag in over a decade till this trip, and that was the only time I ever did till now.
I'm flying cheap azz Breeze Airlines. Might have something to do with it, who knows.

Gotcha. You were asking someone else about their own situation regarding a three-hour TSA wait time on the apparent assumption that it was standard and not just applicable to Breeze, etc. That's the disconnect.

By the way, I have a friend from the UK who needs to get a flight between two small-ish airports here, and Breeze was the only non-stop option, so she texted to ask me about it. I'd never heard of the airline. I'd be interested to hear what you think.

My driver in SLC this year was also a flight attendant on breeze. She said they’re pretty nice. Better than spirit, etc. not as cheap. they fly into Ogden. I’ll look into them next year.

 

[Sand]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

I'm going to take a wild guess that the necessity of checked bags was also the wife. I can do a week out of a carry on and personal item, easy.

 

[beer 30]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

I'm going to take a wild guess that the necessity of checked bags was also the wife. I can do a week out of a carry on and personal item, easy.

We took a trip a few years and had to check some ungodly huge suitcase I didn't even realize we owned, added time both ways dropping off and collecting. Told her if didn't fit in a carry on from now on she can fly solo. **** checking bags unless it some dire emergency.

 

[ghostguy123]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

I'm going to take a wild guess that the necessity of checked bags was also the wife. I can do a week out of a carry on and personal item, easy.

I just need a backpack

 

[UncleZen]

I only do carry on for my flights out. I don't want the hassle of going somewhere and my luggage not making it. Many times on the trip back I will check my 1 bag but I always do it at the gate so it's free. This also depends on the airport. Flying back into Orlando, it takes way too long to get your baggage from the baggage claim.

 

[Osaurus]

So I'm flying out of Orlando tomorrow, and got a message that TSA lines may be longer and to get there early. Well, the bag check counter doesn't even allow you to check your bags until 2 hours before the flight, so kinda limited on how early we can even be.
However, they sent me an email with a TSA link to the APP to "reserve a spot in line".
Anyone know anything about this or how it works? Is it worth it?

I use this every time I fly out of Denver. Very worth it. The reservation line is usually shorter than the TSA Precheck line.

Denver is one of a very few airports where TSA Pre-Check doesn't seem to benefit you at all. Love watching the Clear minimum wagers trying to snipe pre-checkers to push a subscription.

I’d add JFK to this list

 

[Fat Nick]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

I'm going to take a wild guess that the necessity of checked bags was also the wife. I can do a week out of a carry on and personal item, easy.

I just need a backpack

See...I'm an over-packer, and often have to bring multiple suits, etc. I've gotten to the point where I hate dealing with the overhead bin crap. I get a free checked bag, so as long as I'm not flying with other work folks who I'll slow down, I'll just check a bag. It's so freeing to have just my backpack. I don't even bother boarding early. I just go in once most everyone else is in. With these express bag drops and premier access lanes, it's so easy at Newark, where I fly out of the most.

 

[Kanil]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

I'm going to take a wild guess that the necessity of checked bags was also the wife. I can do a week out of a carry on and personal item, easy.

I just need a backpack

See...I'm an over-packer, and often have to bring multiple suits, etc. I've gotten to the point where I hate dealing with the overhead bin crap. I get a free checked bag, so as long as I'm not flying with other work folks who I'll slow down, I'll just check a bag. It's so freeing to have just my backpack. I don't even bother boarding early. I just go in once most everyone else is in. With these express bag drops and premier access lanes, it's so easy at Newark, where I fly out of the most.

The two people I travel with check bags every time. I agree with you 100% that it's so much easier to check a giant bag, especially with suits, than it is to carry on and worry about overhead space.

 

[Sand]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

I'm going to take a wild guess that the necessity of checked bags was also the wife. I can do a week out of a carry on and personal item, easy.

I just need a backpack

See...I'm an over-packer, and often have to bring multiple suits, etc. I've gotten to the point where I hate dealing with the overhead bin crap. I get a free checked bag, so as long as I'm not flying with other work folks who I'll slow down, I'll just check a bag. It's so freeing to have just my backpack. I don't even bother boarding early. I just go in once most everyone else is in. With these express bag drops and premier access lanes, it's so easy at Newark, where I fly out of the most.

The two people I travel with check bags every time. I agree with you 100% that it's so much easier to check a giant bag, especially with suits, than it is to carry on and worry about overhead space.

My normal is a hanging bag carry on. It's soft, so can squeeze in lots of spots in the bins. And I get to just walk off the plane and go.

 

[InDitkaWeTrust]

What's the longest it took any of you to get through security? I think mine is maybe a half hour. I don't fly a ton though, maybe a dozen times.

Last time we flew out of MCO it was via Terminal C (JetBlue) and it took us nearly an hour to get through. Not only that, there was some kind of alarm going off the entire time we were in line.

 

[NutterButter]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

I'm going to take a wild guess that the necessity of checked bags was also the wife. I can do a week out of a carry on and personal item, easy.

I just need a backpack

See...I'm an over-packer, and often have to bring multiple suits, etc. I've gotten to the point where I hate dealing with the overhead bin crap. I get a free checked bag, so as long as I'm not flying with other work folks who I'll slow down, I'll just check a bag. It's so freeing to have just my backpack. I don't even bother boarding early. I just go in once most everyone else is in. With these express bag drops and premier access lanes, it's so easy at Newark, where I fly out of the most.

Other than cost, I don't see it as a negative. I don't mind having to wait for my bag. I only fly direct so I think the risk of a lost bag is significantly reduced. I love not having to bring a bag onto the plane; I usually wait right until boarding ends before getting on. I like not having to worry about restricitions and not having to limit the quantity of stuff I can bring. I get that folks that fly weekly for work have their streamlined routines, but for personal travel a few times a year, I wouldn't do it any other way.

 

[nirad3]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

Yeah definitely not. Pre check is only you and your minor children.

Yeah thought so, I was definitely just thinking of being able to include a family member if you have a better group number for boarding. I'm dumb. LOL

FWIW I was asking because in a couple of weeks the domestic patnah' and I have to go up to LAX to pick up our daughter who's returning from a school spring break trip to Boston. According to the Googlez, we have to go to the ticket counter and give them a copy of our kid's itinerary and our ID to get a "gate pass" so we can go through TSA and go wait for her at the gate.

precheck won’t work for you that. When my kid went to HI by herself for the first time, I got the gate pass. Went to precheck, they told me to pound sand. Kid said “I’m good dad”. And off she went. She was 13?

She's flying out with a big group from her school. We arranged to get her back a day early because she has a volleyball tournament in Vegas the next day. So she'll be flying back from Boston solo, so we want to be at the gate when she arrives. She's 14 but would probably find a way to get lost, plus she has inherited my anxiety.

 

[Sand]

I only fly direct so I think the risk of a lost bag is significantly reduced.

Not a thing here. In fact, Birmingham was known for a long time as the million mile city when Delta counted segments. That segment to Atlanta added up big time and flyers here ended up with huge miles. I can get directs to hubs and places like Orlando, Vegas, and Philly but that's about it.

 

[Sand]

She's flying out with a big group from her school. We arranged to get her back a day early because she has a volleyball tournament in Vegas the next day. So she'll be flying back from Boston solo, so we want to be at the gate when she arrives. She's 14 but would probably find a way to get lost, plus she has inherited my anxiety.

Can I tell you about the time my 13 year old wandered off at Ataturk? I think the wife is still scarred over that one.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

Yeah definitely not. Pre check is only you and your minor children.

Yeah thought so, I was definitely just thinking of being able to include a family member if you have a better group number for boarding. I'm dumb. LOL

FWIW I was asking because in a couple of weeks the domestic patnah' and I have to go up to LAX to pick up our daughter who's returning from a school spring break trip to Boston. According to the Googlez, we have to go to the ticket counter and give them a copy of our kid's itinerary and our ID to get a "gate pass" so we can go through TSA and go wait for her at the gate.

precheck won’t work for you that. When my kid went to HI by herself for the first time, I got the gate pass. Went to precheck, they told me to pound sand. Kid said “I’m good dad”. And off she went. She was 13?

She's flying out with a big group from her school. We arranged to get her back a day early because she has a volleyball tournament in Vegas the next day. So she'll be flying back from Boston solo, so we want to be at the gate when she arrives. She's 14 but would probably find a way to get lost, plus she has inherited my anxiety.

Zero judgement from me. I just wanted to let you know that your precheck won’t work with the gate pass.

 

[NutterButter]

I only fly direct so I think the risk of a lost bag is significantly reduced.

Not a thing here. In fact, Birmingham was known for a long time as the million mile city when Delta counted segments. That segment to Atlanta added up big time and flyers here ended up with huge miles. I can get directs to hubs and places like Orlando, Vegas, and Philly but that's about it.

Ah, that makes more sense if you live in an area that doesn't have a lot of direct flights. As I've thought about where I'd like to retire, that's something that is a big factor that I wasn't considering. You kind of take it for granted when you live close to an airport that can get you to almost any bigger city direct.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

She's flying out with a big group from her school. We arranged to get her back a day early because she has a volleyball tournament in Vegas the next day. So she'll be flying back from Boston solo, so we want to be at the gate when she arrives. She's 14 but would probably find a way to get lost, plus she has inherited my anxiety.

Can I tell you about the time my 13 year old wandered off at Ataturk? I think the wife is still scarred over that one.

Same daughter went through a cool revolving door in dfw I think. It just looked fun to her. It put her outside of security. Mom freaked out and went through the door to get her and they had to do security again. She was 8, 9. We have given her crap at nearly every airport since every time we see any doors that lead out of security.

 

[nirad3]

While we're on the topic of TSA precheck...

Any of you frequent travelers know if someone that DOESN'T have TSA precheck can go through that line with me? I may be confusing the ability to have someone "in your party" board with your group number.

I'm guessing the person could NOT go through TSA precheck if they haven't been vetted

I may need another cup of joe.

Nope, they can't, except your minor children under 12 (I think it's 12 - could be 16).

Yeah definitely not. Pre check is only you and your minor children.

Yeah thought so, I was definitely just thinking of being able to include a family member if you have a better group number for boarding. I'm dumb. LOL

FWIW I was asking because in a couple of weeks the domestic patnah' and I have to go up to LAX to pick up our daughter who's returning from a school spring break trip to Boston. According to the Googlez, we have to go to the ticket counter and give them a copy of our kid's itinerary and our ID to get a "gate pass" so we can go through TSA and go wait for her at the gate.

precheck won’t work for you that. When my kid went to HI by herself for the first time, I got the gate pass. Went to precheck, they told me to pound sand. Kid said “I’m good dad”. And off she went. She was 13?

She's flying out with a big group from her school. We arranged to get her back a day early because she has a volleyball tournament in Vegas the next day. So she'll be flying back from Boston solo, so we want to be at the gate when she arrives. She's 14 but would probably find a way to get lost, plus she has inherited my anxiety.

Zero judgement from me. I just wanted to let you know that your precheck won’t work with the gate pass.

10-4, yeah I was mixing up the TSA precheck status with group numbers for boarding. I'm a big dummy.

 

[Kanil]

Holy jumpin shnikeys, they found it and brought it up to the desk. I'm sweating my *** off, been running all over.
Moral of story, don't travel with the family

I'm going to take a wild guess that the necessity of checked bags was also the wife. I can do a week out of a carry on and personal item, easy.

I just need a backpack

See...I'm an over-packer, and often have to bring multiple suits, etc. I've gotten to the point where I hate dealing with the overhead bin crap. I get a free checked bag, so as long as I'm not flying with other work folks who I'll slow down, I'll just check a bag. It's so freeing to have just my backpack. I don't even bother boarding early. I just go in once most everyone else is in. With these express bag drops and premier access lanes, it's so easy at Newark, where I fly out of the most.

The two people I travel with check bags every time. I agree with you 100% that it's so much easier to check a giant bag, especially with suits, than it is to carry on and worry about overhead space.

My normal is a hanging bag carry on. It's soft, so can squeeze in lots of spots in the bins. And I get to just walk off the plane and go.

Depending on how long my trip is, I'll strap my suit bag inside of my big bag and then just use a good travel backpack for my laptop, power bundle, meds, and mandatory plane gummy bears. I'm as close to the last one on the plane as possible as I'd rather sit in the boarding area than in my aisle seat with people's butts in my face for 25 minutes.