Longer Lines at Airports as Travel and Security Increase - 376
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 9:05AM 
Photo by justinA lot has changed in airports around the country in the past few months. If you haven’t traveled since the winter holidays, prepare to arrive early and exercise patience when you embark on your spring and summer trips. According to the AP and USA Today, airport security measures have increased since hidden explosives made it onto a plane last December.
Here are a few things you will likely encounter when you arrive at the airport for your flight.
- There has been a 10% increase in the number of full-image body scanners in airports across the country. Numbers of these machines now total 44 in 21 airports. These body scans often take longer than walking through a simple metal detector. It is expected that 1,000 scanners will be put into use by the end of next year.
- The use of Explosive Trace Detection machines has expanded. Agents are now roaming boarding areas and security lines with portable machines. They use a cotton swab to check baggage and passenger hands for traces of explosives which can be detected by the machines.
- Depending on whether you get a security scan or a manual pat down, the process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 4 minutes.
Security measures are also unpredictable. You may be sent through quickly and be on your way to board your flight, or you may be randomly selected for a more thorough search. If something in your pocket triggers the metal detector you may be sent for a full body scan, hand swabs and a pat down. Something that is sure to have an impact if you are already cutting the time a bit close for your flight.
With the economy recovering and the demand for travel growing due to spring break trips and soon-to-come summer vacations, passengers are sure to feel the impact of increased security measures. Some airlines have even recommended arriving 75 minutes early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international flights.
The bottom line? Plan to get to the airport early or you may be in for a stressful sprint to your boarding gate.
Lori Rice is a freelance health and travel writer, and Galavanting travel news and reviews correspondent. You can follow her adventures at 3 Star Traveler or explore her thoughts as a nutritionist, wellness advocate and foodie traveler at Fake Food Free.
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