Triangle Trip

We all know that Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the worst airports in the US (see why in our previous post). LAX’s Terminal 7 belongs to United Airlines (UAL) and it has one of the poorest TSA screening process (maybe the Alaska Airlines terminal 3 is worst). LAX Terminal 7 has the longest lines and the TSA checkpoints don’t have enough room for you to unload your laptop and toiletries before the X-Ray machine.

To avoid the normal UAL security line which normally wraps around 3x, make a left after you entered LAX Terminal 7 and take the elevator to the 3rd floor. There’s a TSA security line right after you exit the elevator which no one knows about. The TSA checkpoint is connected to the short term parking garage that offer quick entry from short term parking. Since most people don’t park in short term at LAX before getting on a flight. Unlike the normal LAX Terminal 7 TSA checkpoint which puts you on one end of the gates (70s), this TSA checkpoint is located in between Terminal 7 and Terminal 8. Upon clearing TSA Security, you will be in between the two terminals where you can take a left for the gates 70 to 79 and make a right for gates 80 to 89 (see map below — the blue line is the TSA security checkpoint). Terminal 8 at LAX is not on any map as it is where UAL has its United Express flights. It could be a long walk if you went through the normal TSA checkpoint and have to get to a gate in the 80s.

I was at LAX yesterday (a Friday night). Both lines were extremely long – they had to shut down the normal line and this secret line I am sharing with you were out to the short term parking lot. How could the WORLD’s US’s 6th busiest airport, the US’s second largest city and fourth busiest airport be opearting this way?  … and to add fuel to this fire, there’s still no (Fly) Clear service at LAX. I have not used my Clear membership for the past two months due to lack of Clear locations.

Furthering my previous post highlighting issues with (Fly) Clear, below are two more missteps:

According (Fly) Clear, they would have Clear service at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by winter 2009. To me, winter 2009 has come and gone. December 21, 2009 is not winter 2009, it is actually winter 2010 (just look at all the winter Olympics schedules if you do not agree). Here we are, spring 2009 and I do not see any signs of (Fly) Clear at LAX. I visited the Clear website today and noticed LAX is now off the map (not even a “coming soon” city). How can (Fly) Clear stay in business when they cannot service the second most populated city in the US.

(Fly) Clear also announced that they have launched Clear services at JFK’s terminal 4. I am a frequent flier out of JFK’s terminal 4 and only realized last week that I could use the Clear service. I have been standing on the regular line all this time because I don’t see any Clear signage. How I found out that Clear actually launched in terminal 4 was when someone cut my line last week. There is a Clear station after you pass the initial ID screening. I thought Clear was supposed to help you bypass the ID screening process as most airports have a Clear agent standing right next to the ID screening TSA agent.

If Clear executives read all my post regarding (Fly) Clear to date, their service would grow in leaps and bounces. I should send them an invoice for my consulting services.

An open letter to our new US Homeland Security Chief, Janet Napolitano:

After using (Fly) Clear for the past three months, I know Clear is not the solution for frequent travelers. Clear does not provide much value aside from letting me skip the security line at a few airports. Clear also has many other issues (check out my previous post).

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under the Department of Homeland Security must come up with a solution similar to what Dulles is offering to its frequent travelers: Dulles Diamond. Although I have not used the service but I believe in the concept.  TSA need to implement a “Professional Travelers Access Program.”

The “Professional Travelers Access Program” needs to guarantee fast security screening by separating business/frequent travelers from casual travelers. In order to qualify for the ‘Professional Travelers Access Program,’ I believe you must pass the security screening exam. I do not think the Dulles Diamond line has a restriction.

Below are my proposed criteria for anyone to qualify for the “Professional Travelers Access Program:”

1. Demonstrate that you can remove your coat, belt and shoes, unpack your liquids, and take out your laptop for the metal screening device in less than 45 seconds.

2. Walk through the metal detector (with your boarding pass) without beeping or being re-screened.

3. Show the ability to quickly gather your belongings after you’ve passed security in less than 45 seconds.

4. Once you have passed the exam, you will get a special card to be screened at the Professional Travelers Access Program.

5. As a member of Professional Travelers Access Program, you must maintain your ability to quickly get through the security line or the agent will have the right to send you to the normal line with novice travelers.

Most business and frequent travelers can easily pass my proposed test. The frequent travelers are prepared and know what to do before they even get to the airport. It is time for the TSA to understand its customers. TSA must separate the novice travelers from the professionals to speed up the security process during peak travel times – Monday mornings and holidays. The “Professional Travelers Access Program”will streamline the security screening process and improve customer service.

I am offering my services free of charge to the TSA if they need further consultation. I cannot believe Dulles (which we believe is one of the worst airports in the US) already has a similar program implemented. I am curious to hear about the Dulles Diamond successes and failures. Please post your comments if you have used the Dulles Diamond service at Dulles. I also look forward to hearing from someone working at the TSA or the Department of Homeland Security.

Sincerely,

Captain G