TSA Fiasco Is Causing Major Lines At Airports

Above, the Van Nuys to LAX Flyaway bus. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's one thing about the upcoming Hawaii trip that I am not looking forward to: the long lines at the TSA security checkpoint. I have reported on this before, but apparently the problem is getting worse with long lines going out of air terminals to the sidewalks and other concourses at some airports. This fiasco is causing hundreds of travelers to miss their flights.

According to an article in the New York Times:

Security lines at airports are getting longer — much longer — and wait times could reach epidemic levels when air travel peaks this summer, according to airlines, airports and federal officials. 

A combination of fewer Transportation Security Administration screeners, tighter budgets, new checkpoint procedures and growing numbers of passengers is already creating a mess at airports around the country. 

While federal security officials say they are hiring and training hundreds of additional screening officers, matters are not expected to improve anytime soon.

Since the article recommends getting to the airport at least two hours before the departure time, we will be heading to the Flyaway bus terminal in Van Nuys an hour and a half before. The morning traffic down the I-405 to LAX is horrendous in the morning.

If it turns out that our security screening process goes fast and smooth, we can always kick back in the terminal and have breakfast.

I remember the "good ol' days" in L.A. when there were helicopter shuttles to LAX from downtown until the choppers started crashing.

To read more, go here.