Waiting in LONG lines
 

This past weekend I flew up to San Fran via Oakland International from LAX. I left work at 3:30pm for a 5pm flight. I figured I wouldn't pack anything that would be taken out as I wanted to 'carry-on' my bag. Southwest terminal wasn't very busy at the time I got there and I managed to get 2nd in the A line for my flight.

The wait came on the return flight. After returning the rental car in what seemed like Cattle Gap, Egypt for the Oakland terminal we were taken to the terminal for Southwest flights. The line waiting for bag check in was amazing! But thankfully I didn't have to wait. Getting through security wasn't a problem for me as I had about 2 hours to play with. This guy next to me asked the agent if he was going to make his 1:10pm flight, it was 12:50pm. DUH.

The gate agent told me and the guy ahead of me that the bag check in was taking 2 plus hours to go through then another 20 minutes in security. OYE!

Plan ahead!

Wow! I will fly SW out of OAK... reading this I must try carry-on only...

When did you fly? What day of the week? What time of the day? Is it that bad every day? Morning and evening?

Yeah, and the one downside of Southwest is that, if you miss your flight, you must upgrade to FULL FARE to fly standby on the next one!!! This is one situation where the major airlines are better - but at least Southwest has no change fees...

Andrew

Hi Tony,

THanks for the heads-up! I am flying out of OAK this week on SWA. What day of the week was your return flight (hoping that it was especially busy if it was a Sunday, and that maybe I won't run into the same problem.) If I could just bear to give up my shampoo, cosmetics, etc., then I could carry on also! Something to think about!

But isn't this the blurb that's been all over the news for the past several days? Why should anyone be surprised?

We are NOT surprised. We'r hoping the things are getting a little better... yes? no?

I flew to OAK last Friday (8/18) and returned on Sunday (8/20).

BTW - it's in the high 50's and low 60's in San Fran right now.....it's AUGUST!

If anyone is dealing with the car rental at OAK be prepared for what could be a long wait for the shuttle bus and a long ride. They don't seem to have all the bugs worked out with that process yet.