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Post by BeckyTech on May 18, 2016 18:06:40 GMT
I keep seeing these stories about the horrible delays for fliers and in almost every one, the TSA is blaming budget cuts. I wondered why it seems this problem seemed to have suddenly cropped up just in time for the summer travel season. I found this article that says nope, not budget, they actually have more money and fewer airports to work.
Another theory says they cut staff before seeing the results from the Pre-Check program. (Seeing if it would be widely used and help expedite passenger check-ins.)
All I know is I'm glad I no longer have to travel for work and don't have to deal with it.
Theories on the cause? Have you had to deal with it? Are you going to start allowing yourself more time to get through the lines?
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Post by workingclassdog on May 18, 2016 18:12:10 GMT
It just seems strange that one week everything is fine then all of a sudden there are lines everywhere. I mean really, people have been flying for years and years and now all of a sudden TSA is a problem... Sounds like someone dropped the ball and the blame game starts in. THEY KNOW PEOPLE ARE FLYING, is it that hard to act accordingly?
I don't fly much anymore either. If I was I am the type of person to get to the airport way ahead of time..so I would probably go even earlier.
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Post by pastlifepea on May 18, 2016 18:34:15 GMT
It's all about the TSA pre-check program, IMHO. They rolled this out a few years ago and figured people would jump right in and give their personal info and pay a fee to join this program so avoid lines. This would save the government money by lowering amount of TSA agents on their payroll AND they get to collect their membership fees that I think are good for 5 years. Win-win for them, right? Except for not as many people signed up for it as they anticipated.
My guess is that this is a ploy to essentially force people to "see" why they need to pay this fee and get pre-checked. I would guess their enrollment is soaring now.
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luvnlifelady
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Post by luvnlifelady on May 18, 2016 18:39:12 GMT
Thankfully we don't fly often. It was pretty bad when I went through security with teen DS while dropping him off for a flight in LA. It was spring break for some in our area, but still, it almost caused him to miss the flight and we were plenty early.
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MizIndependent
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Post by MizIndependent on May 18, 2016 18:41:28 GMT
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Post by oliquig on May 18, 2016 18:42:34 GMT
My home airport had to move where their TSA set up was, and now it takes much longer.
I missed a flight in January, due to the fast that it took my airline almost thirty minutes to take my baggage fees. Their credit card machines weren't working and none of them could figure out how to take cash.
I ended up missing my flight. I was rebooked with another airline, but it totally stunk.
I only fly once or twice a year, if that. I can't see paying almost $100, on top of the flight and baggage fees.
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Belle
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Post by Belle on May 18, 2016 18:43:09 GMT
DH and DS travelled on Saturday, May 7th flying out of Seattle. I dropped them off at the airport at 5:45am and they had no bags to check, so they went straight to the TSA line. That early in the day, it took me 45 minutes to get home - once home, DH called me to tell me they were still in line to get thru security. Their flight was at 7:30am and they did make it just in time. They were planning on picking up breakfast for DS on the other side of the security line and there wasn't time for that. Seems like they should put the restaurants on the outside of the terminals and people can eat while they are in line. ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/Q_m8lDOvc_3Le3r1GKdf.jpg) If you follow Johnny Jet on FB, he has posted some amazing video from the lines at the Chicago airport. So long that I am surprised there haven't been some serious anger issues.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2016 18:43:31 GMT
It took my SO 55 minutes to get through TSA in Buffalo this past Monday AT 5 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING! How do we know it took that long? He was randomly selected and given a piece of paper with the time stamped on it that he was to return once he got to the front of the line. He almost missed his flight...didn't even have time to tie his shoes before getting on the plane.
The agent blamed budget cuts.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 18, 2016 18:43:46 GMT
This article from NBC quotes TSA Administrator Peter Neffinger as saying Rightttttt. ![:rolleyes:](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/Ui47LhQw2NqWVWNNqtfM.jpg) Meanwhile there are 5,000 fewer TSA agents on the job today than just a few years ago. And those that are on the job missed illicit items 95% of the time, yet the budget has increased by 7% over that time. Follow the money and you'll find the problem. Look to see who is getting those big bonuses and where the money is being wasted. Just another inept government program. I am not traveling as much right now as I was a couple of years ago, so hopefully they will have it sorted out by fall when I plan to do more flying. One thing I will consider is looking into the 22 airports that no longer use the TSA. when choosing travel destinations. Perhaps they won't be having the same problems?
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on May 18, 2016 18:44:55 GMT
I think the problem has been created by TSA problems, a ridiculous airline baggage fees which has led to huge amounts of carryon luggage. After all these years people still forget to empty pockets or take electronics out of cases and this in turn delays the lines also. Everybody shares in these delays.
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Post by cyndijane on May 18, 2016 18:58:29 GMT
I'm not sure why the lines have increased. Although the theory that they wrongly anticipated the number of people paying to bypass the lines seems likely. I have a trip in three weeks that is sure to be an adventure. My sister and I are flying our kids to our grandma's house- our kids are 12, 10, 8, 6, 19 mo & 5 mo. Yes, that really is 6 kids and 2 adults. (We realize we're crazy, but neither of us were interested in an 12+ hr roadtrip when the flight is 90 minutes.) My kids wil be handing out individually packaged ear plugs to fellow passengers near us. ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/Q_m8lDOvc_3Le3r1GKdf.jpg) I'm glad to know in advance the lines are longer- I'll be as prepared as I can be. I'm also happy to fly Southwest, because even though I normally carry on, this is definitely a "check everything you can" type of trip! I can't imagine paying for all those bags.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 18, 2016 19:03:32 GMT
I totally agree with a PP that this is a huge scam to force people into the TSA PreCheck program. I fly quite a bit - and particularly the last 6 months have flown more than usual. There was a huge difference in just the last couple months where wait times increased 2-3x at my home airport. The new problem is people are getting fed up and paying the $85 for PreCheck and it's totally mucking up the line for expedited screening - as of course they weren't ready for that influx. I finally said screw it and bought Clear - despite having status on an airline that lets me go through expedited screening for free. There is something seriously wrong with that agency's management.
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Post by cmpeter on May 18, 2016 19:09:49 GMT
I think it's just become more wide spread or better publicized. I fly somewhat regularly for work and stated noticing last June when I flew with dd, who is not TSA pre-check. It was horrendous when I flew with a friend in December. They were even using the bomb sniffing dogs so no one had to take off shoes or unpack and it took an hour to get through security.
Funny thing is that if we book her ticket with ours, she is given TSA pre-check. She's 15, so she's not an unaccompanied minor. But, if we book together or use our miles for her ticket they mark her TSA pre-check. Dh and I are both TSA pre-check.
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Post by MichyM on May 18, 2016 19:13:24 GMT
I don't know that it's "all of a sudden." I flew Seattle to JFK the end of March and I received a text from SeaTac the day before telling me to get there at least 2 hours early due to the security lines. I did, and they were horrendous, as bad as I've seen them since right after 9/11. Thankfully I have pre-check so I was through in less than 10 minutes....which made for an awfully long wait at the gate, but such is life. I've also waited in the pre-check line to have it move more slowly than the regular line. And yes, once I realized they were moving more quickly I scoped out a person and paid attention as they went through the regular line, Go figure.
That said, somebody needs to get a handle on this situation. Hundreds of people missing flights due to the lines is unacceptable. It's one thing if you haven't allowed enough time, but when you arrive hours early to clear security and you still miss your flight feels ridiculous to me.
I travel enough to feel that TSA is a great big fail. I've forgotten to remove liquids and have sailed right through, easy peasy. I've also had random things confiscated. I hate that every airport seems to have its own rules about HOW to go through the checkpoints. There is no rhyme or reason to it sometimes. If this is going to continue to be a government run agency, there are several things that need re-examination IMO.
Heck, my 11 YO son was on the no-fly list from age 11 (right after 9/11) until he turned 18. We jumped through every damned hoop that the government and the airlines threw at us, and still were unable to get him off of it. To say it inconvenienced us is an understatement. Poof, when he turned 18 all of a sudden he was free to fly like the rest of us.....crazy.
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Dalai Mama
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Post by Dalai Mama on May 18, 2016 19:17:30 GMT
Just so that I understand, TSA are the people at security, not at customs, right? I cant imagine having to get to the airport 3 hours in advance of a domestic flight just to clear security. Going through security at Toronto's Lester B Pearson typically only takes a few minutes.
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luvnlifelady
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Post by luvnlifelady on May 18, 2016 19:19:34 GMT
They also need to have a list of the procedures for those that aren't regulars. I had forgotten to have my teen DS take out his laptop so that held things up considerably. I don't fly often at all so that would be helpful.
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gsquaredmom
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Post by gsquaredmom on May 18, 2016 19:21:08 GMT
Perfect storm:
Increased number of flights
Airlines charging checked bag fees so more carry-ons that have to go through tsar
Tsa cuts in overtime and personnel
It's a crappy job and the economy is pretty good, so it's hard to get good people
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Post by brina on May 18, 2016 19:22:59 GMT
It's all about the TSA pre-check program, IMHO. They rolled this out a few years ago and figured people would jump right in and give their personal info and pay a fee to join this program so avoid lines. This would save the government money by lowering amount of TSA agents on their payroll AND they get to collect their membership fees that I think are good for 5 years. Win-win for them, right? Except for not as many people signed up for it as they anticipated. My guess is that this is a ploy to essentially force people to "see" why they need to pay this fee and get pre-checked. I would guess their enrollment is soaring now. They might be saying not so many signed up, but the pre-check lines have gotten longer and longer. They are still not as long as the regular lines and they move much quicker, but what was once short enough to take just a few minutes has stretched to up to half an hour. Plus, the airlines randomly assign some people to the pre-check group. Generally these randomly assigned people muck up the lines as they don't don't know what the rules are.
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Post by katlady on May 18, 2016 19:23:23 GMT
Yes, TSA are the people at security, not customs.
I couldn't believe how many people missed flights in Chicago this past weekend! I flew in March (not from Chicago) and the lines were pretty normal. I can't imagine having to wait more than 2 hours just to get through security! Yikes!! I do wonder if it is a slow-down by TSA on purpose.
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Post by katlady on May 18, 2016 19:25:23 GMT
I have been randomly given pre-check on my boarding pass before. I didn't sign up for it or anything. But my travel partners didn't have it, so I waited in the regular lines with them.
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Post by epeanymous on May 18, 2016 19:26:46 GMT
I started noticing longer lines about a year ago. I hate how early I have to get to the airport.
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Post by marzbar71 on May 18, 2016 19:32:02 GMT
They also need to have a list of the procedures for those that aren't regulars. I had forgotten to have my teen DS take out his laptop so that held things up considerably. I don't fly often at all so that would be helpful. At O'Hare, in my experience at least, they do have MANY signs along the way with all of the rules and procedures, as well as a screen playing them and people yelling them as you get closer to the place to put your bags through. And I've seen people walk along totally oblivious to all of that until the second they get up to the belt...."huh? I need to take my shoes off? What about phones?" On and on and on.....
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amom23
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Post by amom23 on May 18, 2016 19:39:22 GMT
We had an incredibly long security line to get through this past November when leaving Vegas. I'm really happy I don't have any summer flying trips planned. I can't even imagine how miserable those lines must be for young children and babies. ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/mYSUyHtG9Jrcmm_ydVcK.jpg)
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luvnlifelady
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Post by luvnlifelady on May 18, 2016 19:39:57 GMT
They also need to have a list of the procedures for those that aren't regulars. I had forgotten to have my teen DS take out his laptop so that held things up considerably. I don't fly often at all so that would be helpful. At O'Hare, in my experience at least, they do have MANY signs along the way with all of the rules and procedures, as well as a screen playing them and people yelling them as you get closer to the place to put your bags through. And I've seen people walk along totally oblivious to all of that until the second they get up to the belt...."huh? I need to take my shoes off? What about phones?" On and on and on..... That's good that they have it in Chicago. I may have missed it. However, at least the terminal with Alaska Airlines is all torn up in LA so maybe the new screening area doesn't have the signs? Not sure. I probably looked clueless and that's how I felt. I hope I didn't miss the info. along the way. Yikes!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 18, 2016 19:42:28 GMT
I've forgotten to remove liquids and have sailed right through, easy peasy. I've also had random things confiscated. I hate that every airport seems to have its own rules about HOW to go through the checkpoints. There is no rhyme or reason to it sometimes. ![:yeahthat:](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/yrGoHMAelQz8f2Qt0sjb.jpg) There is also no consistency from one airport to another. At one they will say leave the iPad in the carry-on, while at the next they want it out. I've waltzed right through without showing my bags of liquids. Then another time I had them make me completely take apart my camera bag (down to removing all the lens from their storage bags). My theory is that they think they are keeping the terrorists confused by not having any rhyme or reason to the whole system (not that that would stop them)!
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Post by MichyM on May 18, 2016 19:42:39 GMT
They also need to have a list of the procedures for those that aren't regulars. I had forgotten to have my teen DS take out his laptop so that held things up considerably. I don't fly often at all so that would be helpful. At O'Hare, in my experience at least, they do have MANY signs along the way with all of the rules and procedures, as well as a screen playing them and people yelling them as you get closer to the place to put your bags through. And I've seen people walk along totally oblivious to all of that until the second they get up to the belt...."huh? I need to take my shoes off? What about phones?" On and on and on..... Omg, yes, yes, and yes! It blows my mind that folks waiting in line for more than 10 minutes don't take that time to organize themselves. Remove your belt and toss it in your carry on. Loosen your shoelaces. Empty your pockets. Take off your jacket. Etc etc etc.... Even if someone is an infrequent flyer, I believe every airport security line I've been in has signs posted before you clear security.
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peasquared
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Post by peasquared on May 18, 2016 19:43:35 GMT
I like to take the first flight out in the morning. If I arrive 1 1/2 hours early, the TSA agents aren't even on the job yet. They wait until approximately a half hour - forty-five before the first flight to start checking flyers. By this time there is a big line up. It's frustrating.
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Post by ntsf on May 18, 2016 19:46:09 GMT
I flew saturday and went through the mag screener. I had to do it two more times and they kept telling me...pull up your pants.. pull up your pants (a little hard to do when I didn't have my belt on... my pants fall off my belly) I had an empty metal coffee mug in my bag.. it could have been full...you couldn't tell.. but it flew right through... it was all theater and no security.
there was no line cause it was sat at 5 pm from a weekend destination. it was so stupid.
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Post by MichyM on May 18, 2016 19:48:03 GMT
I've forgotten to remove liquids and have sailed right through, easy peasy. I've also had random things confiscated. I hate that every airport seems to have its own rules about HOW to go through the checkpoints. There is no rhyme or reason to it sometimes. ![:yeahthat:](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/yrGoHMAelQz8f2Qt0sjb.jpg) There is also no consistency from one airport to another. At one they will say leave the iPad in the carry-on, while at the next they want it out. I've waltzed right through without showing my bags of liquids. Then another time I had them make me completely take apart my camera bag (down to removing all the lens from their storage bags). My theory is that they think they are keeping the terrorists confused by not having any rhyme or reason to the whole system (not that that would stop them)! The iPad thing is one of my pet peeves. Leave it in, take it out, take it out but leave it in its soft sided pouch (that I use for traveling), and on and on.... And don't get get me started on my 8oz of salted caramel peanut butter that got confiscated ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/5645536/images/Q_m8lDOvc_3Le3r1GKdf.jpg)
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Post by anniefb on May 18, 2016 19:52:43 GMT
It sounds horrible. And it's not just TSA - last time I was in transit in LAX - International flight going on to London on the same plane with a 2 hr refuelling stop, we had to clear immigration. I spent 1.5 hrs of the 2 hrs queued up waiting to get finger printed and scanned even though I was only flying over US airspace and not breaking my journey. Here in New Zealand it's quite a different story. For many domestic flights there are no security checks at all and you just show your boarding pass and get on the plane
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