Comments on: Shortcuts through the checkpoints at American airports http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: Fly early in the day, avoid pilot shortage delays | Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-30256 Fly early in the day, avoid pilot shortage delays | Upgrade: Travel Better Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:50:13 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-30256 [...] there early, pack light (under 50lbs per checked bag), use skycaps to check luggage, etc. (Consider these tips for finding the shortest security line, [...] [...] there early, pack light (under 50lbs per checked bag), use skycaps to check luggage, etc. (Consider these tips for finding the shortest security line, [...]

]]> By: Rick http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-18605 Rick Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:26:34 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-18605 At ATL, head to the North Terminal and go to the American Airlines ticket counter to find another security gate to the T-Concourse. If AA does not have a couple of flights leaving in the next hour or two, this is often an empty gate. If you are Gold/Platinum Medallion DL(or other airlines I guess), First/Business Class, Airline Club member, or military you can use the preferred entrance to the main security. It is often very long on the South side because of all of the Delta people but the North side is usually very short because there are very few elite Continental, AA, or United flyers originating out of ATL compared to the Delta flyers on the South side. The trick is that anyone meeting the restrictions for the special security line can use the line on either side of security so go for the North side which is usually shorter. Of course, sometimes the special line is slower than the general line so take a peek at the general line as well. At ATL, head to the North Terminal and go to the American Airlines ticket counter to find another security gate to the T-Concourse. If AA does not have a couple of flights leaving in the next hour or two, this is often an empty gate.

If you are Gold/Platinum Medallion DL(or other airlines I guess), First/Business Class, Airline Club member, or military you can use the preferred entrance to the main security. It is often very long on the South side because of all of the Delta people but the North side is usually very short because there are very few elite Continental, AA, or United flyers originating out of ATL compared to the Delta flyers on the South side. The trick is that anyone meeting the restrictions for the special security line can use the line on either side of security so go for the North side which is usually shorter. Of course, sometimes the special line is slower than the general line so take a peek at the general line as well.

]]> By: dan http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-18584 dan Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:28:04 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-18584 At LAX (domestic terminals) if you shoot up the elevator (like people with a stroller) you avoid the long security line. You might have to limp ;) . At LAX (domestic terminals) if you shoot up the elevator (like people with a stroller) you avoid the long security line. You might have to limp ;) .

]]> By: What’s acceptable airport security, and what isn’t? » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-11840 What’s acceptable airport security, and what isn’t? » Upgrade: Travel Better Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:06:45 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-11840 [...] my boarding pass as usual, but “SSSS” was printed in the bottom right corner. I walked to the shortest security line in Terminal 1 at O’Hare and mentally prepared for the pat-down. After a few moments in a small [...] [...] my boarding pass as usual, but “SSSS” was printed in the bottom right corner. I walked to the shortest security line in Terminal 1 at O’Hare and mentally prepared for the pat-down. After a few moments in a small [...]

]]> By: Anne http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-391 Anne Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:01:57 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-391 at ORD if you are flying American, the lines can be very long. But if you go to the Delta area, the lines are much shorter. at ORD if you are flying American, the lines can be very long. But if you go to the Delta area, the lines are much shorter.

]]> By: Tim http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-387 Tim Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:18:59 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-387 An update from my previous comment: The security line in the baggage claim area of terminal 1 is closed or, as they say, "permanently closed." An update from my previous comment: The security line in the baggage claim area of terminal 1 is closed or, as they say, “permanently closed.”

]]> By: ur_land http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-386 ur_land Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:15:29 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-386 In Denver's DIA, stay on the upper level, go north, and take the walking bridge to terminal A. The security checkpoint on the bridge is always short and if your flight is in terminal B or C you can catch the tram there from terminal A. Plus there are usually interesting art displays on the bridge and it's a nice leg-stretching walk. In Denver’s DIA, stay on the upper level, go north, and take the walking bridge to terminal A. The security checkpoint on the bridge is always short and if your flight is in terminal B or C you can catch the tram there from terminal A. Plus there are usually interesting art displays on the bridge and it’s a nice leg-stretching walk.

]]> By: Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » Thanksgiving travel tips http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-385 Upgrade: Travel Better » Blog Archive » Thanksgiving travel tips Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:46:39 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-385 [...] 7. Not all security lines are equally busy. Some airports have less-popular security lines, either in an adjacent (but connected) terminal, or at the far end of a terminal building. A few of these “shortcuts” are listed here. They can shave a few minutes off your airport hassle. [...] [...] 7. Not all security lines are equally busy. Some airports have less-popular security lines, either in an adjacent (but connected) terminal, or at the far end of a terminal building. A few of these “shortcuts” are listed here. They can shave a few minutes off your airport hassle. [...]

]]> By: Bill http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-34 Bill Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:41:00 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-34 DCA/Washington National If flying Delta with carry-on only, cross the bridge from the parking garage, and you'll find four self-service kiosks far away from any crowds. Check in, turn left down the escalator, and you'll be just a few steps from security. DCA/Washington National
If flying Delta with carry-on only, cross the bridge from the parking garage, and you’ll find four self-service kiosks far away from any crowds. Check in, turn left down the escalator, and you’ll be just a few steps from security.

]]> By: Tim http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2006/04/07/shortcuts-through-the-checkpoints-at-american-airports/#comment-33 Tim Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:17:00 +0000 http://upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=78#comment-33 Another shortcut at O'Hare is in Terminal 1. In the lower level right below the shortcut mentioned in the article is a security checkpoint for employees and any flyer who knows about it. It is in the baggage claim area right below the security checkpoint leading to Terminal 2. Another shortcut at O’Hare is in Terminal 1. In the lower level right below the shortcut mentioned in the article is a security checkpoint for employees and any flyer who knows about it. It is in the baggage claim area right below the security checkpoint leading to Terminal 2.

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