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Why are the lines so long?

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* I’ve seen a ton of stories about the long security screening lines at O’Hare and other airports, but few point to the fact that this is self-inflicted. From a March 30th AP story..

Launched nationwide in 2012, PreCheck gives previously vetted passengers special screening. Shoes, belts and light jackets stay on. Laptops and liquids stay in bags. And these fliers go through standard metal detectors rather than the explosive-detecting full-body scanners most pass through.

PreCheck lanes can screen 300 passengers an hour, twice that of standard lanes.

The TSA offered Congress a lofty goal of having 25 million fliers enrolled in the program. Based on that and other increased efficiencies, the TSA’s front-line screeners were cut from 47,147 three years ago to 42,525 currently. At the same time, the number of annual fliers passing through checkpoints has grown from 643 million to more than 700 million.

As of March 1, only 9.3 million people were PreCheck members. Applicants must pay $85 to $100 every five years. They must also trek to the airport for an interview before being accepted. Getting once-a-year fliers to spend the time or the money to join has been a challenge. While 250,000 to 300,000 people are joining every month, it will take more than four years at that pace to reach the target.

* Related…

* Feds target Chicago airports for help with long security delays

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 10:45 am

Comments

I just signed up for PreCheck early this year, and having used it 3 times now it is terrific. Yes you sometimes still have to wait, but it’s more like 5-10 minutes than an hour. Also in lots of places you don’t have to go to the airport to complete the process. Chicago, for example, has an office in the Loop to handle the in-person part of the process. If you fly even semi-regularly it’s worth it.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 10:49 am
We recently signed up for PreCheck and our first experience was anything but smooth. I was indeed allowed to keep my belt on, and it promptly set off the metal detector. Instead of allowing me to remove my belt and go through the detector again, I was subjected to a full body pat down which included hands reaching down inside my pants.

Not only did this take about 15 minutes, but it pulled a screener off the line to pat me down, further delaying everyone else. Typical TSA snafu.

Comment by MSIX Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 10:52 am
The application process is pretty easy if you already have a passport. I filled out a form online, and then walked in to the Pre-Check office in downtown Chicago a few days later. I waited about 30 minutes for my interview at 10am on a Wednesday morning, which basically consisted of verifying the information I entered on-line and taking my fingerprints. I received my KTN number about 10 days later.

Comment by Lincoln Parker Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 10:52 am
I do not understand why the airlines provide “first-class only” lines. United used to have two security lines, but they changed one to first-class only — and now the lines are much longer at the single hoi polloi line. #mathishard

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 10:55 am
“They must also trek to the airport for an interview before being accepted.”

That’s not actually the case, at least not in Chicago. There is a facility on S. Canal, relatively close to downtown. The drawback is that it takes about a month to get an appointment there, as opposed to about a week at O’Hare. But if you plan ahead, the trek to the airport can be avoided. I understand that a facility at Midway is going to be opened as well.

While I can understand why someone who flies only once a year wouldn’t want to do this, for anyone who flies with more frequency than that, it’s a no-brainer. I did Global Entry, since I go abroad once or twice a year, and it’s well worth the fee.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 10:55 am
This is a basic management fail. The airlines publish their schedules, so the TSA knows well in advance how many people need to be screened each hour. They know the proportion of Pre-check fliers. They know how many people each line can process.

Schedule and staff accordingly.

This is not hard.

Comment by Fred Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 10:58 am
for a one or two flight a year, I can’t see it being worth it… add the cost the the tickets and not to mention the airport we fly out of the FL each year is so small a wait of 10 minutes a jam… I guess if I flew in larger airports like Atlanta, philly, Dulles, regularly it might make sense but not to the casual flyer.

Comment by Allen D Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 10:59 am
Pre-check and Global Entry are wonderful for even semi-frequent flyers.

Comment by Stu Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:01 am
I just signed up for Pre-Check and haven’t used it yet. I did the online forms, which then the system asks if you want to schedule an interview for about 3 weeks or more in the future or go wait in line. I did the scheduled appointment which was this past Monday. As a suburbanite I went to the Rosemont office. I was in and out in less than 15 minutes. The “interview” is, as another poster said, is verifying your contact information and social security number and doing fingerprints. Totally painless. HOWEVER, with all this media hype lately, the office was overwhelmed with people just waiting to be fit in. The office opened at 8:45 and by 9:00 the wait was well over an hour. So, I highly recommend scheduling an appointment. The Rosemont office is easy to get to with convenient free parking close by.

Comment by Suburbanite flyer Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:02 am
I did PreCheck last year and had no interview. I did have to go to an office to get fingerprinted, but that was quick and by appointment. Pre-check works when those lines are open. I have gone through airports where they don’t have the pre-check lines staffed. This I believe is a TSA issue and they need to look a lot at the process they currently use.

Comment by illlinifan Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:02 am
I flew on Southwest a couple of months ago, to my surprise my wife and I were designated as pre check qualified by the airline and my 85 year old in-laws had to stand in line for an hour. Not a bad deal gave me a chance to grab a quick beer while waiting for them.

Comment by Pacman Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:06 am
As Lincoln Parker noted, there’s a pre-check office in the center of downtown (by the Chase building) - I walked in without an appointment (but with all the paperwork/documentation the TSA website said was needed) and was out within an hour. For me it’s not the risk of pat-down or the time as much as troubling other people: I’m clumsy and I’m sure I delay the people behind me while I’m taking off shoes/belt/laptop etc. Anyway, I highly recommend the pre-check!

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:16 am
PreCheck should be the ‘normal’ security line. When I book my flight TSA can see that I have been issued a ‘RealID’ by ILSOS, that I have held said DL for decades, have no criminal history, and have a verifiable address & credit history. What are the odds that there is something in my shoe THIS time?

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:16 am
A lot of the problem is the hiring practices of the TSA. Apparently there’s a high rate of absenteeism and just walking off the job.

I once thought that Veterans would be at the top of the list for these security jobs, but I found out differently. Only Vets who have enough time in to qualify for a military pension have any preference at all.

So if you served with distinction for two tours in Iraq it doesn’t count for anything with the TSA. Some screeners are clearly retired cops, but I think it stinks that we shaft vets, who KNOW about security, for some of the people I’ve seen screening who look like they couldn’t even run away during an emergency, let alone make an arrest or protect passengers.

Gee, ya think politics entered into the way screeners at O’Hare and Midway were hired?LOL

Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:16 am
Yes, but from what I am seeing, and logic agrees, the airlines’ policies regarding paying for checking bags is a big factor–people are now hauling ridiculous numbers and sizes of baggage through the security lines rather than pay to check them.

A decade or so ago, the airlines wanted you to check your bags because that made gate operations faster and smoother, which often let them schedule a plane for one more flight in the course of a day. Something changed a few years ago and now they almost all charge very substantial amounts to check bags, and groundside efficiency has gone to h*ll.

Comment by Harry Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:16 am
Friend just flew from Denver to Indy. The TSA line in Denver was an hour and 45 minutes! Multiple people missed their flights. Luckily, my friend was not one of them.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:17 am
A lot of people don’t know you can actually request pre-check status. Of course, this requires going to the ticket counter and waiting for an airline agent to print you a new boarding pass… but if the line at the counter is short and the security line is 2+ hours long, it’s worth it.

Comment by Anonymous Sox Fan Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:18 am
Out Here In The Middle @ 11:16am

Yes, but that would involve tying several databases together across all 50 States, and the government that couldn’t put the Obamacare systems online in 2013 is hardly any more capable now.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:19 am
I applied for the Global Entry Program earlier this year. It includes both TSA PreCheck and easy entry through Customs coming back to the states. TSA PreCheck only applies to US based airlines and does not apply to foreign based airlines. I had an afternoon flight out of O’Hare just on Monday and was able to get through TSA security in less than 20 minutes. Like a lot of things in life, timing is everything.

Comment by No Longer A Lurker Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:20 am
For downstate folks, there’s a TSA PreCheck office in Effingham. You can get an appointment within a few days and it takes maybe 20 minutes to fingerprint and answer a few questions.

Comment by MSIX Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:20 am
A lot of the problem is the hiring practices of the TSA. Apparently there’s a high rate of absenteeism and just walking off the job.

I once thought that Veterans would be at the top of the list for these jobs, but I found out differently. Only Vets who have enough time in to qualify for a military pension have any preference at all.

So if you served with distinction for two tours in Iraq it doesn’t count for anything with the TSA. Some screeners are clearly retired cops, but I think it stinks that we shaft vets, who KNOW about security.

Gee, ya think politics entered into the way screeners at O’Hare and Midway were hired?LOL

Comment by Arizona Bob Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:21 am
yes, people should apply for pre check. and yes, the airlines should return to the two line system and not just first class. (also, boarding should change too!) but America, please stop carrying on so much! ever watch people in line with oversize bags ? seems like they are allowed in, and on. that should stop. travel light.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:22 am
Talk about self inflicted. The airlines did it to themselves with the check bag fees leading to more carry-ons and further not enforcing carry-on limits. Passengers did to themselves, when even flying Southwest they carry-on the kitchen sink.

Comment by A Watcher Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:36 am
Some people were going through screening with bags that are too big and then check at the gate (which was free on some airlines). The airlines have wised to that and check the size at the gate and if it is too big the person has to pay there. Agree with the fact that the airlines are at fault as well. They need to have more people checking bag size while in line, and waive some of the fees. Just put the cost into the price of the ticket.

Unfortunately my husband has a disability that requires wheelchair assistance at the airport, and there is a bonus. The people who transport you move to the front of the line, and with TSA pre it helps. So I move through quick with them. Bad thing is my husband always needs to be wanded and tested so after we get through the line this pulls a TSA agent off the line and delays him. They also need to look at how they handle screening for persons with disabilities so they don’t tie up TSA agents delaying other passengers.

Comment by illlinifan Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:39 am
If airlines made passengers’ first two checked bags free and charged for a second carry on, this problem would solve itself.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:39 am
===this problem would solve itself.===

A ten percent decrease in screeners and a ten percent increase in passenger flights.

Do the math.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:40 am
Anonymous @ 11:19. Trust me. They have access to the data . . . and who you talked to on the phone last night.

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:41 am
Have had Precheck for awhile. It was easy to get, my frequent flyer programs remember I have it when I book online, and it saves a ton of time and frustration. Easy to justify–especially if you ever have to go to places where the lines are awful, like Denver.

Comment by Ray del Camino Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:48 am
Cutting staff by 10 percent when you know there is no decrease in passengers and when you know most people aren’t paying extra for a “pre-check.” Classic shakedown to coerce more purchases by deliberately increasing wait times. Pump up your sales and slice overhead. I’ll stand in line rather than sucker on the TSA scam.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:57 am
Pre-Check is great. I did my interview in Indiana, and zipped through, and had my number in three days. (My poor husband had to wait almost three weeks for his letter, because he worked for the CIA for one summer many years ago, and that really complicated things, apparently). It’s been a godsend, as we found in Seattlt a couple of weeks ago where the non-Pre-Check line wound the length of the airport and own the side halls. Our line took 20 minutes.

I understand that $85 is a lot to spend when you’re a family of four who flies once a year. But if you choose not to spend that money, expect the long lines in peak travel seasons. It’s not a bad investment.

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:59 am
Staffing is a definite problem at Ohare and Atlanta from my experiences. I also will say passengers can be part of tbe problem too. This morning flying out if Houston I heard someone ask when did removing shoes and no liquids start. Really?

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 11:59 am
If airlines made [100% of] passengers’ first two checked bags free [and, therefore, not subject to the TSA screening lines] and charged for [100% of] second carry ons [the bags subject to the TSA screening lines], this problem [10% and 10%] would solve itself.

I thought the math was implied, but I’ve attempted to make it explicit.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 12:04 pm
Why is the TSA operating as a profit center? If the precheck lowers its labor costs, it should be offering that service for free.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 12:06 pm
Pre-Check seems to be a no-brainer, but I still see plenty of folks lined up to pay cash at a toll booth when all you need to do is go to a Jewel or other retailer to buy an IPass.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 12:16 pm
the cost and i terview are not worth it if you fly once a year or less. make it 20 and do i interviews via Skype.

have a family member with precheck, she got pulled aside for extra screening bcause she flies so much on business, spent a half hour in the special check, had to remove shoes etc etc. she was quiet angry that even if you hump the hoops and pay the fees you can still get long screening time

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 12:32 pm
@Ghost -

You can’t fingerprint someone via Skype.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 1:33 pm
According to “http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/no-budget-cuts-arent-why-youre-waiting-hours-to-get-through-airport-security/, “At $7.3 billion this year, TSA’s budget is 9% higher than it was in 2007. Its full-time workforce climbed by 4.3% over those years, according to official budget documents. (The TSA conveniently measures its current budget and staffing against the peak produced by President Obama’s massive stimulus spending.)

More important is the fact that the TSA’s gains since 2007 came at a time of declining air travel. Over those same years, the number of passengers traveling from major U.S. airports dropped 7%, and the number of commercial flights fell more than 22%, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Plus, the TSA has fewer airports to manage than it once did, since 22 — including San Francisco International, Kansas City International — have ditched the TSA and hired private security firms to do their passenger screening.”

Comment by John Doe Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 1:35 pm
I looked into pre-screening and it didn’t seem worth the hassle for one or two flights a year. You have to go downtown and get fingerprinted. I’m uncomfortable with that given what we hear about TSA and hacking incidents.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 2:13 pm
Public Service Announcement — the Pre-Check folks closed the downtown Chicago office. I learned this when I went there for my appointment, following the instructions I received in an email from them. Sigh.

So I wound up jumping on the blue line and going to the office on Belmont. It took the better part of the morning, but I got it done. I had to wait about 20 minutes. Getting fingerprinted took about 5 minutes max, and I got my number within a week.

Am heading out of town soon — we’ll see how this works…

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 3:16 pm
joan no but we have fingerprint vendors everywhere

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 3:18 pm
I singed up for pre-check in the downtown office. And then had the TSA cancel my appointment. No reason given. No opportunity to reschedule. And now there are no appointments available within 45 days (and they don’t take appointments outside of a 45 day window). What a boondoggle.

Comment by Lycurgus Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 3:39 pm
The delays seem to have three common issues.

1) Airlines and the real flight load are key - also seasonality is a issue here as well.

2) Baggage fees have made the airlines hugh fees - at expense of the customers wallets and schedule.

3) The budget - this is another place where the elected officials get play game.

Hugh recent increase in passengers in May

Comment by cannon649 Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 7:42 pm
My wife and I fly frequently, usually out of Richmond, VA. First, we get precheck 90% of the time, even though we never joined or paid for it. Second, even the regular lines here are never very long, but when we return from a higher traffic airport like New York, New Orleans, etc. the lines usually are considerably longer. Clearly it is a resource allocation issue - TSA needs to increase staffing in cities like Chicago, and reduce staffing in cities like Richmond.

Comment by Andy S. Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 8:40 pm