Question for those who have flown lately

[BuckleDownBen]

What has been the security like? How much of a hassle is it to get onto a plane? I need to fly in a couple of weeks, and I want to know if maybe I should cut down on what I take on the plane with me.

My father-in-law just flew to Atlanta and he said it was a big PIA.

 

[johnjohn320]

Well, what were you planning on bringing?

For me it wasn't really any different than before 9/11, except there were guys with guns in military uniforms walking around the place.

 

[BuckleDownBen]

Thinking about bringing a laptop. Sometimes I like to pack a bag just in case they misplace my luggage.

 

[monk3y]

It really isn't that bad at all. They do perform random checks on people. Doesn't really take that long. Make sure you have nothing even remotely sharp in your hand baggage. I saw the customs officer throwing away even nail clippers.

 

[johnjohn320]

A laptop? Bah...you'll be fine. What are you gonna do? Email em to death?

 

[Platypus]

I just flew internationally, so I am sure it is a lot more harsh, but don't take anything sharp like nail clippers, or files, or shavers on your carryon. Put that all in your main luggage. As for your laptop, that should be cool, but I would call the airline if I were you to make sure...

 

[lawaris]

sometimes they check the lappy to make sure it's not a bomb... so have plenty of time when u check in

 

[Instagib]

Originally posted by: lawaris
sometimes they check the lappy to make sure it's not a bomb... so have plenty of time when u check in

 

[jaydee]

Orlando wasn't too bad. Buffalo, NY was tight with the metal detectors. The button on my jeans, my shoes, my hat, wallet all set it off, but nothing in Florida. This was about 3-4 weeks ago.

 

[FoBoT]

if maybe I should cut down on what I take on the plane with me.

i did
i cut back to the bare essentials (laptop, music cd's, cd player) in my laptop bag
check everything else

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: BuckleDownBen
What has been the security like? How much of a hassle is it to get onto a plane? I need to fly in a couple of weeks, and I want to know if maybe I should cut down on what I take on the plane with me.

My father-in-law just flew to Atlanta and he said it was a big PIA.

Incredibly long at big airports like LAX and SFO, incredibly short at smaller airports like OAK and SNA

 

[tcsenter]

I've flown 4 times (two round trips) since December. The smaller airport I departed from was a breeze, but the larger and busier airports are a lot more rigorous, which only makes sense. More people + more opportunity for mistakes = more vigorous security measures.

Of the 4 times, I was picked for the random FAA spot check twice. I never had any problems, everyone was nice to me, largely I suspect because I was polite back. I didn't treat the airline and security people as if they were trying to make my life more difficult or something. When I was approached by security and asked if I would mind stepping over to a secured area for a random check, I smiled and said "sure, no problem".

Just follow instructions, so many bad experiences could be prevented if people would just read the signs and follow simple damned instructions.

 

[b0mbrman]

Ah yes, the random security checks...Late 2001, I got picked all 3 times...but in my last 5 flights or so, I haven't got picked once...

 

[divinemartyr]

They will more than likely want to turn your laptop on and make sure it's an actual computer, which could cause you an extra 10-15 minutes, I can't imagine much more than that. Pack as lightly as possible and keep in mind carry on luggage has been reduced from 2 pieces allowed, to only one now.

dm

 

[apoppin]

Flew to Hawaii in January from LAX and back again last month.

No problems, no delays and I wasn't searched. Be prepared to take your laptop out of its case and carry on nothing sharper than your wit.

 

[Bleep]

I took a 1 day trip from Denver to Las Angles and it was the worst nightmare that I have ever had. I was at the airport in Denver 3 hours before flight time and almost missed the plane. 4 hours early in L.A. and made the plane 10 minutes before boarding started. I spent twice as much time in the airport than I did on the airplane. I am sure glad I did not have a couple of little kids with me. That is going to be my last flight, I will lose about 100,000 flight miles but it is not worth the hassle.
Bleep

 

[RossMAN]

I haven't flown since getting married in Australia back in August 2001.

I'll be flying at the end of this month (Phoenix/Scottsdale) and mid August (Las Vegas).

I'm hoping to pack light.