Airport Security: Miami or Ft Lauderdale
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Airport Security: Miami or Ft Lauderdale
Anyone been through the Miami or Ft Lauderdale airport in the last few months? How was security? Were there long lines? I seem to remember a couple of posts back in Dec or Jan that mentioned that security at either Miami or Ft Lauderdale was a nightmare. (I realize that sometimes it depends on what day of the week and time of day, but I'm just looking for a general observation.) Thank you.
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Flew out of Ft. Lauderdale on Monday, 6:20 a.m. flight. It took about an hour to do the whole thing, from rental car drop off, checking bags curbside, and checking in at the gate. Longest waits were waiting for security to open at 5 a.m. (no screening before that), and waiting for the gate personnel to arrive and start work, they still don't do that more than an hour before the flight is scheduled to leave apparently.
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Have been through both MIA and FLL in the last few days. Judging from those who said lines were short, it truly must depend on the day and time, because my experiences were completely different.
Consistent with past experience, MIA seemed to have its usual long lines and chaos (but at least this time, incoming immigration and customs lines were mercifully short and efficient).
On Sunday, FLL was a nightmare around noon. Lines at skycaps significant; lines at ticket counters very long and snaking through the terminal, taking an hour or more to get through; and lines at security 20+ minutes long but moving steadily. Beware, also, that some airlines will NOT let you check in more than 3 hours in advance, so if you're in line, they will make you get out and start over again within the 3 hour limit(saw lots of folks cooling their heels, waiting to get back in line).
Most people simply don't show up more than 3 hours in advance. But for the cruise ship passengers, who seemed to represent a significant portion of the lines at FLL on Sunday, timing doesn't appear to be so flexible.
Consistent with past experience, MIA seemed to have its usual long lines and chaos (but at least this time, incoming immigration and customs lines were mercifully short and efficient).
On Sunday, FLL was a nightmare around noon. Lines at skycaps significant; lines at ticket counters very long and snaking through the terminal, taking an hour or more to get through; and lines at security 20+ minutes long but moving steadily. Beware, also, that some airlines will NOT let you check in more than 3 hours in advance, so if you're in line, they will make you get out and start over again within the 3 hour limit(saw lots of folks cooling their heels, waiting to get back in line).
Most people simply don't show up more than 3 hours in advance. But for the cruise ship passengers, who seemed to represent a significant portion of the lines at FLL on Sunday, timing doesn't appear to be so flexible.
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
We left Florida today (Saturday at 10:00 AM) from FLL and had no problem at all! They had a deputy sheriff with a substance sniffing dog going through our concourse, but it actually made me feel better seeing the advanced security. That didn't hold up the normal procedures a bit, and the rest of the searches, etc. were uneventful and quick. Outside of a bunch of "spring breakers" crashed EVERYWHERE (ahhhh, to be young and dumb again!), it was business as usual.
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Going thru Miami security was a real nightmare 4/22/02. I was searched at 3 different places, causing me to be the last one to board my flight & reducing me to tears. I would suggest that there is some weird kind of gender, race, & age profiling going on that smacks of reverse discrimination. This is not the place to go if you are older, caucasian, & female. Also, wouldn't it ne nice if the screeners could speak English?
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Being helpful and speaking English has never been a requirement to work at MIA. You got to speak Spanish and carry the 'tude to work there.
My recollection is that by November, the US Dept of Transportation is supposed to employ all the security screeners, and they're all supposed to speak English.
I'd lay some large green on a bet that the latter requirement won't be met. Don't know whether it'll be a blanket exemption, or case-by-case, with MIA a big number 1.
My recollection is that by November, the US Dept of Transportation is supposed to employ all the security screeners, and they're all supposed to speak English.
I'd lay some large green on a bet that the latter requirement won't be met. Don't know whether it'll be a blanket exemption, or case-by-case, with MIA a big number 1.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
alpinemccain
United States
7
Mar 1st, 2003 11:09 AM