You've probably heard that the new prohibitions against liquids and gels in carryon baggage are supposed to produce longer lines at ticket counters and at security checkpoints. For what it's worth, as someone who has flown several times since August 10, I cannot discern any actual effects on the Customer waiting times.
Our own internal stats bear out that one impact of the new restrictions has been an increase in checked baggage. However, having checked bags in three cities in the last 12 days, I have yet to experience a wait longer than five minutes - no different from before. No surprise here - our Customer Service and Ramp Employees are hustling to deal with the increased checked baggage volume.
As for the security checkpoint, the waiting times in my experience have been no different from pre-August 10. Why might that be? Based on my observations, I'd chalk it up to a combination of reduced carryon bag volumes, quick adapting by our Customers, and good work by our friends at the Transportation Security Adminstration ("TSA"). For a more objective view of checkpoint waiting times, read this Baltimore Sun article. The TSA also maintains a website displaying up-to-date actual waiting times experienced at all airport checkpoints. It's a good way to see what you can really expect. Another website, FlightStats.com, also provides this and other information, but it is not as up-to-date.
Bottomline - I have seen no reason so far that anyone should be concerned about increased waiting times to check bags or clear security checkpoints in the post-August 10 environment.
Labor Day weekend is the last getaway travel period before things slow down in the fall. Tell us about your positive travel experience even under the new security rules. Or, maybe you hit a snag, but now you have a great travel tip to share with the rest of us.
Comments
One little snafu in your post- the TSA link about wait times is based on historical data obtained over the last year or so and is more or less an aggregate of when airports have more departures, and doesn't exactly take into effect post-security reform wait times nor does it take into effect seasonal schedules. Your mileage may vary GREATLY from week to week on any given day.
Matthew - I re-checked the TSA waittimes website and also had someone pose the question to TSA. The answer from both was the same - i.e., that the data you see on that site are comprised of a four week rolling average. Therefore, unless you have more information to substantiate what you wrote this morning, it appears that the entry i indeed accurate as written. Please let me know if you think I am still missing something here.
Thanks for taking the time to read Nuts About Southwest, and for expressing your opinion and concern about it. I hope you will continue to check in often.
Edward...
One detail that you missed ot I would love to know - how much extra liquids have been taken on board by SWA, and how much more liquid is being passed arund for consumption in flight from the cabin crew to passengers? Do we still have the same access to liquids in flight on SWA as before through the cabin staff and not the shops in the concourse?
Passengers are finding ways to deal with the new security hassles. And they'll continue to as long as flying is the fastest form of travel. But how are your ramp and provisioning agents handling the new rules? You fly to some hot cities, and I certainly wouldn't want to be out on the tarmac without sunscreen and a water bottle.
I haven't seen much in the way of delay because of the liquid restriction. It sure is a pain in the neck though. A lot of people are used to bringing their own things to drink on board.
In general though I am seeing that the security doesn't bother frequent travelers that much. Most of us are used to it by now. But for some people, those not used to travel and especially if English is not their first language, it can be a great source of stress. The other day in Seattle a young couple traveling with a baby (and you know how much carry on that means) got so flustered and confused going through security that they finally got through the metal detector and started getting ready to leave when someone asked them "is that your baby on the other side of the security gate?" Brief panic ensued before things got cleared up. The TSA people were great dealing with it but that shows the sort of stress things are causing passengers.
I just returned from Labor Day travel, I agree that there was neglible difference in security or check-in. Having said that, I noticed the same things that have always happened, not a great deal of consistency in security and what you can and can't take on the plane. I felt sorry for a lady who had flown from New York the night before and had an early flight out of San Diego and some sort of liquid item she had was allowed on the previous flight, made it thru security but she was searched again at the gate and TSA decided to take what ever it was. She was pretty good about it all but when you have flown cross country and gone thru multiple securlity lines you expect you are ok. Didn't know what it was but I did not take anything on the plane, I wear contacts and was told it would be ok if I had a prescription but instead I just wore them and left the case and solution in the hecked bag, didn;t want to risk losing them to TSA. I was ok becasue the flight was short but it would be bad if it was a long flight but I think most of us just adapt pretty well.
reply to Ewan Spence's query
Ewan - You can still get the same drinks inflight now as you could before August 10. The only restriction is likely to be from one of our Flight Attendants if you try to consume more than you can handle, if you get my drift.
Sorry to be a few days late getting back to you. Between the long Labor Day weekend and my college-football-is-finally-here-euphoria, well, I'm just now back in the swing of things.
Edward...
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post... but it's about customer service in the "non liquid" age. As a frequent flyer with my family, we were flying home from Seattle to Baltimore in August., and I got to thinking. My family drinks a lot of water. Before the restrictions you would have found each of us with a water bottle getting on the plane. Yes, you can buy them in the "secure area" after getting thru airport security, but then discard before boarding the plane. SO... here's a suggestion for SWA - as passengers board the plane offer them a small bottled water - what great customer service! (plus it helps with the thirst on those "bumpy" flights when the beverage service is delayed.
Jennifer - Thanks for the suggestion. I have forwarded your thoughts to our Inflight folks for their consideration. Edward...
During the last few weeks I've noticed the Southwest F/A's have increased their presence and level of service - especially on the short haul flights. On the early morning flights the F/A's complete their initial drink service and then go up and down the isle with the galley coffee pot and additional juice and water for a quick refill.
Just goes to show you how dynamic and adaptive WN's F/A's are! Thanks for the great service!
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