New security at airports-Anyone travel recently?

Armchair Traveler · Post by **Armchair Traveler** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:11 pm

We are heading down non stop from Boston in 12 days and I am wondering if there will be any differences at the airport considering recent events. We are doing carry on only so we dont have to worry about checking anything. They are recommending getting to the airport 3 hours prior to our flight and that seems a little excessive. In the past, when doing carry on, we have gotten there within 1-1 1/2 hours and been fine. Anyone fly recently experience security nightmares? I am not complaining, just want to get there within enough time to make our flight. Thanks!

tipsy · Post by **tipsy** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:55 pm

Hi, enjoy your trip and send some warmth back up here !!

Just got back from trip to Ga. and except for a little more people being pulled off the security lines (like me) and being wanded and patted down, nothing else is diff. And airlines are still allowing lots of carry-ons (plus)on the planes too from what we saw at Charlotte & JFK. So don't think you'll have any issues. The lines still move at a steady pace.

As for the 3+ hr time frame, think it's a bit excessive too. We got to Charlotte airport coming back on the 1st, 3 hrs ahead too and sat around people watching for whole time. Of course can't speak for Boston airports, but Charlotte is an Int'l airport too. so should be the same ??

Have a great time and enjoy that warm sun & water for all of us up north.

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 2:37 pm

Hi Armchair,

We recently returned from STJ: we left on 12/26 and returned 1/2; ORD > STT (direct) and STT > SJU > ORD for our return. The news about the recent attempted attack was on CNN when we got to the car rental office.

I didn't notice any extra security hassle. However I always find it a bit of a rigmarole -- pull out the baggie with liquids, take out electronics (iPods, phones, laptop...), shoes off, walk through, then put everything back on or in the carryon, make sure kids did the same, wait for DH to get wanded because his titanium hip always sets off the metal detector...

It always seems to take us a long time to get through security, but it didn't seem any longer on this trip. The lines at O'Hare were long, but not worse than typical holiday travel. We used a porter at STT and that helped us get through faster.

islandmom · Post by **islandmom** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:26 pm

I just returned from STJ - actually left (way late) Saturday night and finished up my connections (after a couple of cancelled flights)late on Sunday, the 3rd. Didn't see any changes, either on St. Thomas or Charlotte. But maybe...soon come!

bnsilly · Post by **bnsilly** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:33 pm

I just got back as well...
I was extra careful this time to take off my hook bracelet as well as any other bracelets because that always sets off the alarm. Good right?
Well, no go. I still got hand searched on one leg of the trip, and on the return trip I got the new full body scanner thing.
I'm starting to develop a complex here. Maybe they think I look suspicious???

Illyse · Post by **Illyse** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:32 pm

Good question! Please be sure to update us about the airport experience when you return. We're heading to STJ out of Boston on USAir on Feb. 1. Our flight leaves at 6:00 am, I was planning to get to the airport by 4:45...I can't imagine needing to get ther earlier than that - but I'd love to hear what happens for you.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!

Armchair Traveler · Post by **Armchair Traveler** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 2:35 pm

Thanks all! Fingers crossed its a smooth trip. I'll let everyone know how it goes when I return.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:20 pm

While we don't leave for seven more weeks, I was wondering the same thing.

If we were to arrive 3 hours prior to our flight, it would put us at the airport just after 4am. I wonder if PHL security is even open at that time?

Husband declares we are taking NOTHING on this upcoming trip, one carry-on between all three of us. This should be interesting. His reading material, gum, water, BOSE headphones, and other junk fill one carry-on alone.

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:36 pm

PA Girl wrote: This should be interesting. His reading material, gum, water, BOSE headphones, and other junk fill one carry-on alone.

You can't bring your own water through security.

I just got back from a trip and did not see any unusual precaustions in Ohare.

JIM

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:40 pm

jimg20 wrote:
PA Girl wrote: This should be interesting. His reading material, gum, water, BOSE headphones, and other junk fill one carry-on alone.
You can't bring your own water through security.

I just got back from a trip and did not see any unusual precaustions in Ohare.

JIM

He buys all his crap ('cept the BOSE) after security. The merchants must love him. Then he comes back to me with 6 newspapers, 5 magazines (the same ones we have at home) 4 liters of water, countless packs of gum and snacks and says "here, put this in your bag"

Oh, then there is the 2 bottles of V8 that he won't drink but will insist on dragging all the way to STJ and back.

I foresee changes coming to the PA house during trip prep....

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:46 pm

PA Girl wrote:
jimg20 wrote:
PA Girl wrote: This should be interesting. His reading material, gum, water, BOSE headphones, and other junk fill one carry-on alone.
You can't bring your own water through security.

I just got back from a trip and did not see any unusual precaustions in Ohare.

JIM
He buys all his crap ('cept the BOSE) after security. The merchants must love him. Then he comes back to me with 6 newspapers, 5 magazines (the same ones we have at home) 4 liters of water, countless packs of gum and snacks and says "here, put this in your bag"

Oh, then there is the 2 bottles of V8 that he won't drink but will insist on dragging all the way to STJ and back.

I foresee changes coming to the PA house during trip prep....

bnsilly · Post by **bnsilly** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:00 pm

lol~

sherpa · Post by **sherpa** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:45 pm

Flew to StT from JFK on Delta on 12/26. Got there 2 hours early for an 8:30 flight. Had bdg passes and no checked luggage. There was no line whatsoever for security. They did pull my husband aside when he forgot to present his baggie of liquids-ha! Coming back on 1/2 from StT, again got to airport plenty early for a 2:30 flight. Not much waiting for TSA or customs check. A joke, actually. The airport was busy and Delta screwed up by double, triple, quad, etc assigning seats. People were lunatics boarding - for heavens sake, there was a seat for everyone. It took an hour for them to finally say just sit in any open seat. Ughh! But, in the end, another fabulous week in StJ...gotta plan another trip ASAP!!

Diana2 · Post by **Diana2** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:46 am

[quote="bnsilly"]
I was extra careful this time to take off my hook bracelet as well as any other bracelets because that always sets off the alarm. /quote]

Just remember to unhook your hook bracelet and you won't set off any alarms. It works!

pipanale · Post by **pipanale** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:51 am

Diana2 wrote:Just remember to unhook your hook bracelet and you won't set off any alarms. It works!

Really? I never tried that. My bracelet, watch and phone always go into the side pocket of my backpack at the airport. I guess breaking the link makes it less metallic???

How odd

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