Security Checkpoint Snags

Your head would have to be in the sand the past few weeks if you haven't been aware of the long wait at the security checkpoint lines at the airport. Lots of airline customers have their “nose out of joint” about the hang-ups and delays causing them to miss their flights or onward flights because they couldn't get through security lines in time to make their connections.

The complaints have hit some congressmen too, and so the U. S. House of Representatives are considering legislation that would reduce the long lines at the nation's airports. When that the legislature gets involved, then you can expect they will try to solve the problem with more people, and will throw more money at the problem, which of course, will require a hike in “security charges” on to the ticket.

According to one article I read, if signed into law, the Checkpoint Optimization and Efficiency Act of 2016 will require the Transportation Security Administration to assign “behavior detection officers” to man checkpoints instead of their current assignments (whatever that is) and also give local TSA directors additional flexibility to make changes in staffing that will result in shorter wait time. The bill also requires that the TSA review the allocation of screeners and canine teams at each airport with an eye towards reducing wait times. It will also order the TSA to expand the PreCheck trusted traveler program.

You can read about the Trusted Traveler PreCheck program on our website on the January 28 blog. We explained at length on how to apply and how much it costs. We had a couple of folks with us on our recent Travel Factory Gang trip who had secured this privilege, and they just whizzed on through the security lines. It is a little hassle because a personal interview is required and the closest location for Abilenians is in Ft. Worth and at the DFW Terminal D. It also costs $85 a year too.

The wait times at some of the nation's largest airports can be up to several hours while the Department of Transportation has set the standard of 29 minutes or less. Some waits at Chicago O'Hare during the first half of May averaged around 105 minutes, so that means that some waits were over 2 hours. Of course, TSA blamed the long lines on staffing shortage combined with higher passenger numbers and tougher security measures. TSA moved 100 part-time officers at Chicago airports to full-time status and brought in a new management team and new canine units. As a result, the city noted that wait times had averaged only 15 minutes at O'Hare and 11 minutes at Midway the last week.

Now the wait times are lengthening at the TSA PreCheck offices. It was reported that about 15,800 people daily are applying for the program nationwide, up from 4,500 last May.

My tip, as it has been for many years now, just give yourself plenty of time at the airport and if you get through security quick, enjoy reading a good book while you wait. If the line is slow, you've reduced your stress level by being there early. Of course, if you travel a good bit, then another good tip is to consider going through the TSA PreCheck process. You'll feel so “stuck up” as you whiz through security and enjoy smiling back at those poor fellow travelers who are “enjoying” the wait.

For your next vacation, consider allowing the experienced travel counselors at The Travel Factory who have over 100 years of combined experience in helping folks manufacture their “trips of a lifetime”. We are at 4150 Southwest Drive, Ste. 120, or call at 698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040. Or go to our informative website at www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com.