DFW Terminal D, near gate 30 June 18, 2008:
TSA has implemented 3 different security lines to “speed” up the process. The first line is for those who need more time to “strip down” and may lack the hours of travel experience that would force you to know how to zip through security. Not sure what the second line was for. I went through the 3rd line for “experienced” travelers – I only had a purse. It must have been Murphy’s law, because my line moved the slowest! I overheard the woman behind me (a so-called expert) ask the brilliant question, “Do I need to take off my jacket and shoes?” (No to the jacket, yes to the shoes!) Why was she in this line with me?
Then it took the x-ray screener an eternity to view each x-ray. I think she needed glasses because her nose was practically on the screen! It took me 15 minutes to get through. I also had to walk through the new “air puff” screening device — several puffs of air and my hair came out looking like Carrot Top. Not everyone has to walk through it. It also slowed me down – I saw the woman who didn’t know to take off her shoes get ahead of me! So much for my expertise in traveling light. It’s probably why I was chosen for the “air puff” machine in the first place.
Also, don’t bother using DFW’s web site which estimates wait times at various security check points.
(Click here for TSA wait times) The site claimed my wait would be 4-6 minutes max at gate 30. Very misleading information. I waited 15 minutes. Allow 20 minutes for security if you travel on Wednesday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Can you even imagine what a Friday wait time will be like?
Thanks to our reader JIll J.
