Faster airport security checkpoints

R Dogg 56 · July 8, 2004

Minneapolis-St. Paul Int'l Airport to get faster security checkpoints... Other major airports to follow

So, our airport here in MN has this now, and it looks like it could go nationwide before winter. The last time I went through airport security at Christmas 2002 to go to Texas, it took about 2 hours from the time we entered the terminal(s) to when we boarded/unboarded the plane(s). From MSP to Houston to Corpus Christi/CC to Houston to Memphis {8.5 hour layover } to MSP.

Now, that time could be significantly reduced. To me, it seems like a good idea. Your thoughts?

tmf6902 · July 8, 2004

Last year I travelled the day before and after thanksgiving, and the 23rd and 26th of december.......The most I waited in line at Dulles on the day after christmas was 20 minutes.

I see it as a possible weakness. I guess it really depends on the thouroughness(sp) of the background check....if it's your basic background check, like the ones that people get for babysitters, that just check your criminal history, it'll be worthless. But if it's a deep deep check, like the ones people get when they have access to sensitive material at work, that's done through the gov't, then I think it'll be ok. But those will take massive amounts of time, and manpower, and money. I don't see it happening for your average air traveler.

TMF

robsawatsky · July 8, 2004

Yeh, I've got NATO Secret security clearance and often wonder why this can't be used to somehow avoid lengthy screening delays. Good thing they use the left index finger for ID verification, I haven't had a right index finger for the last 27 years. The system could probably never handle that situation.

Still, for domestic flights I don't believe the gov't has any right to know why, where, for how long, how I paid, or who I am. As a Canadian, I am amazed how readily Americans have given in to gov't intrusion into their lives. I thought the motto was about preferring death over loss of liberty, is it now security over liberty?

blue2kzr2 · July 8, 2004

Yeh, I've got NATO Secret security clearance and often wonder why this can't be used to somehow avoid lengthy screening delays. Good thing they use the left index finger for ID verification, I haven't had a right index finger for the last 27 years. The system could probably never handle that situation.

Heh, my dad's in the opposite situation, he lost half of his LEFT index finger in a home woodshop accident.

On-topic for the post. I flew on July 1 and July 4 this year and experienced ZERO hold-ups at airport security, except the extra 10 seconds of scrutiny in the x-ray machine of my carry-on that was originally gonna be a checked bag. Flew ALB-Cincinnati-PDX then PDX-DTW-ALB. Didn't go back through security in the lay-over cities, only had 1 hour to grab a snack/meal before boarding the next plane. I arrived at ALB and PDX 2 hours or more before departure and ended up sitting, bored, waiting for my plane to board.