Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7702 posts, RR: 55 Posted (10 years 11 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 1706 times:
Is flying in the US since 9/11 such a big hassle? Since most agree that security in Europe is an adequate level, and flying isn't a hassle here, how can it be a hassle in the US? I aim to be at the airport 1hr30 before a short haul flight (which allows for missing a bus) so I end up actually at the queue for check in about 1hr15 before departure. For long haul I aim for 2hrs and it's usually 1hr30 in practise. Security takes about five minutes if there's a queue, one minute if it's quiet. No problem. Surely it's the same in the US?
How long does security take, what kind of measures are taken? Can't be more than a few minutes unless a machine's broken or something. In the thread about demand being soft since 9/11, a lot of the replies said the reason wasn't just fear or the economy, but how air travel is such a pain in the arse nowadays*. Is this really true?
* - the 'no toilet break in a 30 minute radius of LGA and DCA' thing IS a pain in the arse, no argument there.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
SJCguy From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 579 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (10 years 11 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 1695 times:
I think flying has become more of a hassle for many people, yes. Working for a major airline, I see reactions, headache, and frustration from passengers on a daily basis...all as a result of the major screening and long lines. I think the lines are at all U.S. airports. I travel thru the U.S. almost on a weekly basis, and I have yet to be at an airport with no lines at security and elsewhere...besides maybe AUS, for one reason or another.
I think 9/11 has changed the way people look at flying. It's becoming more of a "ugh" thing rather than an "exciting" like it was before 9/11. I especially feel for the elderly, in wheelchairs, etc. When they have to be screened at the gate, shoes off, it's traumatic I think for them, and somewhat rediculous.
Each airport has it's own length of time you should allow before your flight. We have people checking in for flights that don't leave for 3 or 4, sometimes 5 hours...believe it or not. They then ask themselves, "Why the hell did we show up this early?" Here in SJC, the lines aren't that bad, but they aren't good. Lines in airports like LAX and LGA have been rediculously long on the contrary.
Happy flying everybody, and if security gets to ya, just remind yourself about the events that took place on 9/11/01...it usually gives people a different perspective on the whole "strip search" idea.
Spinkid From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1000 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (10 years 11 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 1681 times:
Queue is a word for a line that you wait in.
I think flying has become a bit of a hassle, sometimes a big hassle. But mostly because of inconsistencies in airport security from airport to airport and airlines and airports trying to work out the bugs in the new security set ups. It has eased greatly since 9-11 as travellers and workers have gotten used to things.
For me, when I travel. I still dread the drive to the airport, and the worry of making sure I get to the airport in plenty of time to check in. Which was the biggest hassle for pre 9-11 as well.
Watewate From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 2283 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (10 years 11 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 1676 times:
Yes, there's definitely more hassle involved in flying, but it's not overly aggravating. Newly implemented procedures just bring the US closer to int'l standards.
I've been asked to take off my hat, shoes and drink my water to demonstrate that it doesn't cotain any harmful substance. I still don't think it's much of a hassle to fly- unless you're 'randomly' picked as the "S" passenger.
Spinkid From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1000 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (10 years 11 months 1 week 17 hours ago) and read 1660 times:
Wow, asked to drink your water. I've never heard that before. I wish I had to do that last time. I stashed my water bottle in my bag for x-ray and it wound up leaking all over. Including my cell phone which was busted. argh!
Flyf15 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (10 years 11 months 1 week 16 hours ago) and read 1659 times:
I think a lot of the aggrivation (at least from my point of view) is all the security measures and the like that have been implemented that don't really serve a purpose for anything more than show. Seeing old ladies or little kids screened, having to stop so that police can take a 2 second long peak in your trunk as you enter the parking garage, etc. It just makes me think about how rediculus and inefficient it is due to kneejerk reactions and the like. And its something I'd rather not make myself involved in unless I absolutely have to. Flying has definately become "ugh."
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