Costly Airport Security Delays

Q: If you arrive at the airport two hours before your scheduled flight time and the length of the security line causes you to miss your flight, do you have any recourse when the airline (Delta) charges you an additional $700 (for two passengers) to take the next flight?

–Jean, Tulsa, Okla.

A: Unfortunately, Jean, that depends entirely upon which airline you choose. In your case, Delta will not compensate you for missing a flight as a result of airport security holdups. Neither will Continental or American Airlines. Even if passengers arrive five hours early and miss their flights because of security delays, Delta, Continental and American require that customers pay any fees and additional fare associated with taking a later flight.

But think about this, Jean. If you were to arrive five hours early for your flight, you'd probably be one of the first passengers on your flight at the airport. If you don't get through security in that time, neither will everyone else who arrives after you. Plus, if it takes you more than five hours to get through security, something catastrophic likely happened that would push back your departure anyway.

Meanwhile, US Airways takes a more lenient approach toward passengers who get held up in ridiculous security lines. US Airways fliers who arrive two hours ahead of departure time and miss their flights because of security waits will be listed on the next available flight at no additional cost. That sounds a little more fair, right?

The Transportation Safety Administration offers tips on getting through security lines more quickly. I know the idea of getting to the airport any earlier than two hours ahead of departure time seems a bit excessive, but with ever-increasing airport security measures, it's something you're going to have to get used to.
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