I fly extensively for<BR> business and have noticed<BR> something in most airports that<BR> really slows up the security<BR> lines.....Many passengers arrive<BR> early, proceed through security,<BR> then on to their gate. Once<BR> there though, they decide they<BR> want a cigarette and must<BR> LEAVE the secured area to go<BR> outside to smoke. Then when<BR> they return, they must once<BR> again go through security. I've<BR> waited in long lines and seen<BR> this happen many times.<BR> Wouldn't it seem more efficient<BR> to have some type of area<BR> where smokers could have that<BR> last cigarette without having to<BR> leave the secured area of an<BR> airport?? I've noticed that there<BR> is an outside atrium between<BR> Terminals 2 and 3 at LAX where<BR> smokers can go without having<BR> to leave the secured<BR> area...which makes sense. This<BR> is somewhat of a pet peeve of<BR> mine since it slows the whole<BR> process when passengers enter<BR> and then later re-enter again. I<BR> am an effeciency consultant so<BR> perhaps this irks me more than<BR> it does others. Anyone else<BR> who spends a great deal of time<BR> in airports notice this? "Line<BR> Hater"<BR><BR><BR>

Sounds like a good reason to quit smoking.....

I see no reason why there cannot be smoke rooms that are in locations such as Singapore's Changi, at Brisbane and Sydney as examples where they have air extractors going outside so it does not affect anyone at all. In fact in Kuala Lumpur in response to reasonable requests they have now opened a smokers room after years of not having one.<BR>It bothers and harms no-one else but it provides a stress relief for smokers.<BR>The actual time spent at the airport at both ends can be longer than the actual flight. I see no harm in it.

Yeah I know. I'm based in TPA. On the CO, NW, WN airside, there are smoking rooms, but I flew DL once and there weren't any on that airside. MCO has a bar after security near the CO terminal, but you are supposed to be a customer. I usually go there anyway and try to leave before waitstaff get to me.<BR><BR>I used to live in Houston and IAH, as big as it is, should have smoking lounges past security. One of the main reasons I survived my first international trip to LGW & GLA was because there were lounges past security

It is mainly a problem in the US and increasingly in the UK. It is very annoying having to go out for a cigarette and it is not efficient.<BR><BR>What really annoys me is that at Newark airport there is a tannoy announcement saying that smokers must only smoke in designated areas. When I went to inquire where the designated area was, I was told I had to leave the airport and stand near where the taxis pick you up at arrivals. Why not say that smokers have to go outside rather than make out Newark is an airport with decent facilities.<BR><BR>And yes, I think that going for that last cigarette did make me late for my flight and delay it. But it wasn't my fault - if that silly girl on the Tannoy had been more clear I would have been in and out for my cigarette and not delayed it. But because I spent 15 minutes looking for a smoking room that did not exist I had to have two ciggies when I finally got outside to calm down!

I absolutely detest smoking, BUT --<BR>as long as it's a legal product, I agree that there should be places for those of you who use it to do so. I've noticed a smoking lounge at Norfolk VA, and couldn't detect even a trace of smoke in the air while passing it ... they must use a well designed ventilation system. Maybe other airports should look at is. It's stupid and inconsiderate to force people to go through security.

Just returned last night from JFK...saw it happening again. Guess I'd better just get used to it until they remodel.

McCarron Airport in Las Vegas has the right idea....they have the glass rooms on the other side of security so no need for those smokers to go back and forth and clog the lines.

I haven't flown there this past year but prior to that the Salt Lake City airport also offered smoking rooms inside the secured area like Las Vegas. It makes sense to avoid going through security twice.

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who has noticed this....drives me crazy seeing the same people going back and forth through security. For Christ's sake, how hard is it to put a smoking section inside the secured area so smokers aren't running back and forth to go outside?...give the rest of us a break when we're running late waiting to get through a long security line! Airport designers...can you hear us?? ADD SMOKING FACILITIES INSIDE THE SECURED AREA! Lawrence

Yet another reason why smoking addicts make it worse for everyone else.<BR>Smoking areas in the gate area? Hell No. I shouldn't have to pay extra so an addict can get her fix. If she is hooked and misses her flight to suck on her cancer stick, though luck. And if she ends up getting on the plane on time who wants to spend five hours next to person who smells like a damn cigarette but? Now I will sit back and wait for the offended pour addicts to give that line about smokers rights. But remember. My right not to smoke your cigarette is more important than your right to pollute my air.

Totally agree with clean air. How much would it cost to revamp all the airports to have "designated smoking areas" inside the security gates? I'm so sorry, but its pathetic that smokers can't wait 6 hours to have another cigarette. And I would hate to be stuck next to someone who reeked of cig smoke. Have some courtesy for those around you. If you really need a cig that bad, have one *before* you enter the security gate and find something worthwhile like reading to pass the time till take-off like everyone else. You know, while they're at it, why don't they build a running track, too, so I can burn off my nervous energy before the flight? Puh-lease.