Summary: There has got to be a better way!! No TSA-Pre Check!!If you were trying to make an argument that the current Security check point rules are TOO much for foreigners, children, and non-travelers, look no further!
This is a rating for just the check-point not the terminal.
The Atmosphere: The high ceilings and non-organic design means the terminal is as loud as a busy restaurant. My chatty mom, even hung up, deciding communication was frustrating and she could hear the crying baby next to me better than my one word responses to her recap of the days activities.
The process: The system is complex, but can be described as a left and right entry similar to Disney World where the two lines converge in the center, where left and right then turn toward the security point itself and split into sub-lines (no Joke... think Disney world rides with multiple boats and lanes). So entering from the left, I had three choices (left, middle and right). I think the right answer is left or right, not middle, with the potential cavaet being the number of children/families.
From here, every two lines goes to 1 security person. He is cool if your entire group goes together to say hi. So if you're in a line with a lot of group vs. single travelers you're golden. He will wave you over. Don't move before he waves, but do make eye contact to make sure you don't miss the wave in.
Next, the scanners. The far right is the wrong choice. It has an extension that makes the line look short from the outside. The option directly next to that, isn't quite as bad.
All of this is negated if you have someone who doesn't quite conceptually understand how to push their luggage forward. I wasn't in a hurry, unlike the gentleman wearing a fez cap behind me, who asked me to go yell at three shorter latino ladies who were not conceptually understanding that you have to lay your 22in tv screen flat on the conveyer, not just put it on the table and expect someone in security to help you move it forward. I did not yell at the ladies for the aggitated man. I instead had a bit of a complex as to why he chose specifically me? After a long week of work in NYC, do I appear to strangers like someone you can enlist to yell at confused tourists? And why are these ladies bringing a 22" screen tv with them? Where are they going?
Shoes and jackets off, go through the full body scanner. Makes the A pose from the YMCA song, and then get the pat down from a woman if you're a woman and a man if you're a dude (very professional and quick). Then you're on your way.
All in all, 1hour and 15min.
Tips:
1. This is the international terminal and all the European flights leave here. If you've an early flight, it's definitely shorter (20 minutes), but anything after 8pm and it's quite the show. There's no TSA pre so come early.
2. If you don't have 1 hour and 15min, you should let someone know ASAP. They will help sort you out a bit faster. To my dear French friends ... all 50 of you that showed up late and had security repeatedly announce for Charles de Gual Flight...please... JUST SHOW UP EARLIER next time. None of us behind you enjoyed watching you cut us.
WHY 2 vs 1 STARS:
So a stats person at heart I always am excited for the 1 star opportunity, but I can't in good conscious go that low. The staff was really pleasant and clearly trying to be helpful. read more