EWR security setup is a nightmare!

Security line runs the entire length of Terminal C. Leave early!!!!

Been getting worse lately, not helped by the buffoonish "security" people in the purple coats. Couple weeks ago they were holding back pre check and global entry folks while sending "normal" travelers to the "normal" line... Which was nearly empty. Think about it.

A magic trick that has worked for me- like you belong there, walk right by the line and get into the elevators everyone ignores. Boom, at security.

So they are "profiling" certain travelers?

annesimms said:

So they are "profiling" certain travelers?

I guess in reverse. For clarity- pre check line was very long- "normal" line was short. So the purple coat people were holding back pre check and not allowing them to go into the "normal" line.

So basically pre check was held against you. Genius!

Edit: Global Entry refers to a program, not referring to people from around the globe ie foreigners. 

Of course, foreign travelers are profiled. They are in every airport in the world.

Jackson_Fusion said:

Been getting worse lately, not helped by the buffoonish "security" people in the purple coats. Couple weeks ago they were holding back pre check and global entry folks while sending "normal" travelers to the "normal" line... Which was nearly empty. Think about it.

A magic trick that has worked for me- like you belong there, walk right by the line and get into the elevators everyone ignores. Boom, at security.

Where is the the magic elevator?

PetuniaBird said:

Jackson_Fusion said:

Been getting worse lately, not helped by the buffoonish "security" people in the purple coats. Couple weeks ago they were holding back pre check and global entry folks while sending "normal" travelers to the "normal" line... Which was nearly empty. Think about it.

A magic trick that has worked for me- like you belong there, walk right by the line and get into the elevators everyone ignores. Boom, at security.

Where is the the magic elevator?

Base of escalators running up to the security line, north side of terminal. There are 2 of them.

Yes, they need to do pre-check at checkpoints 1 & 2 as well.  When I headed out Monday AM (about 5 AM), Checkpoint 3 precheck was already absurd so I opted for the much less crowded Elite access lane.  Tracked where I would've been if I stayed in PreCheck and sure enough, Elite non-precheck was faster, even if I did have to remove my laptop from bag.  When one rings up as pre-check (3 beeps) in a non-precheck line, the TSA hands the passenger a piece of paper that alerts the metal detector attendant that the passenger can keep shoes on.

Also another tip - when flying United Express from terminal A, it is usually faster to go through security at C and take the bus from Gate 71 to terminal A.

Once was asked to go through the United Global Services entrance (some uber premier status on UA for heavy travelers) which is a side checking area and you pop through some door and come out right in front of the line at the security screening area.  Got lots of dirty looks but hey...!

Wife had to UPGRADE to Premier so get in a shorter line in order to catch her flight...smh

My daughter is now on a flight from Denver to EWR. It's going to be a long one.

Tom_Reingold said:

My daughter is now on a flight from Denver to EWR. It's going to be a long one.

Looks like everyone who should be in the air out of Denver is in the air. Newark is at moderate delay and trending down, so she should get on the ground in reasonable time. 

If Daddy's supposed to be there to pick her up I would figure be there now or at 3:30 (judging by what's in the air).

Oops, I was wrong in two ways. She's flying into LGA, though that isn't necessarily better. And I'm tracking her flight, and it is only slightly delayed. Thanks, though.

I went through EWR in late January and it wasn't bad. Has an issue cropped up since then to cause these delays? I'll be back there the week after next. 

Student_Council said:

I went through EWR in late January and it wasn't bad. Has an issue cropped up since then to cause these delays? I'll going back the week after next. 

I don't think there's any big new issue (I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm wrong).  My experience with EWR is that security lines are usually less than 15 minutes, but every once it's 30 minutes or even a little more. 

eta:  And don't make the mistake of thinking very early morning flights are less likely to be busy.   Airport is usually hopping for the first flights of the day.

Terminal A has been ghastly since 2016 started - long lines, understaffed checkpoints, even screening lines backed up waiting for bins. And because of that terminal's setup, they can't divert passengers to other checkpoints. In one case I almost missed a flight with 110 minutes lead time from front door of terminal to gate.

Early morning flights always seem to be the worst in terms of crowds and delays at security.  Too many business travelers arriving at the last possible minute along with the overlap of travelers arriving with plenty of time for their slightly later a.m. flights. 

mjh said:

Student_Council said:

I went through EWR in late January and it wasn't bad. Has an issue cropped up since then to cause these delays? I'll going back the week after next. 

I don't think there's any big new issue (I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm wrong).  My experience with EWR is that security lines are usually less than 15 minutes, but every once it's 30 minutes or even a little more. 

eta:  And don't make the mistake of thinking very early morning flights are less likely to be busy.   Airport is usually hopping for the first flights of the day.

Jackson_Fusion said:

Base of escalators running up to the security line, north side of terminal. There are 2 of them.

Thank you.  I will give a shot on Tuesday.  I agree with others that Terminal A security has been a real mess lately.  Last time it took me 45 minutes to clear with TSA precheck.

PetuniaBird said:

Jackson_Fusion said:

Base of escalators running up to the security line, north side of terminal. There are 2 of them.

Thank you.  I will give a shot on Tuesday.  I agree with others that Terminal A security has been a real mess lately.  Last time it took me 45 minutes to clear with TSA precheck.

I still can't picture this. You're taking the elevator from the check-in area or where? And how do you end up not at the end of the security line? 

I heard they are totally redoing C1-C3 security where it's one big security check-point, where it's more travel friendly. This might take a couple years to do. It's just a rumor I came up in conversation, not sure if it's true. 

annemarie said:

PetuniaBird said:

Jackson_Fusion said:

Base of escalators running up to the security line, north side of terminal. There are 2 of them.

Thank you.  I will give a shot on Tuesday.  I agree with others that Terminal A security has been a real mess lately.  Last time it took me 45 minutes to clear with TSA precheck.

I still can't picture this. You're taking the elevator from the check-in area or where? And how do you end up not at the end of the security line? 

The elevators dump you at the entrance to the precheck line, if I'm picturing the same bank as the OP. Basically jumping the line. 

Last Sunday afternoon, terminal C had only one security checkpoint open. 

One was being reserved for "handicapped" (it was deserted of passengers, and about a dozen or so TSA staff standing around), according to the TSA person who sent everyone to the other checkpoint--which was predictably, overcrowded, with only one person checking boarding passes & ID.  Took nearly an hour to get through the line (toward the end of that time, they did add an additional person to check IDs). With TSA screaming at people the entire time.  I made it to the gate as my flight was boarding. 

And don't get me started on how they've replaced the moving sidewalks with silly restaurant/bars, making the walkways narrow and crowded...

mbaldwin said:

annemarie said:

PetuniaBird said:

Jackson_Fusion said:

Base of escalators running up to the security line, north side of terminal. There are 2 of them.

Thank you.  I will give a shot on Tuesday.  I agree with others that Terminal A security has been a real mess lately.  Last time it took me 45 minutes to clear with TSA precheck.

I still can't picture this. You're taking the elevator from the check-in area or where? And how do you end up not at the end of the security line? 

The elevators dump you at the entrance to the precheck line, if I'm picturing the same bank as the OP. Basically jumping the line. 

Dead correct. Really only useful (or appropriate) when the purple people at the bottom don't feel like differentiating between boarding lines. Use it wisely. If you get there early enough shouldn't be an issue.

I have the TSA Pre-Approval thing and of my last 10 trips out of Newark, have never gone thru faster. Sometimes that line is longer/slower!

Yippee!  Didn't need the elevator trick.  Only 5 minutes to get through TSA Pre line in Terminal C at 7 am this morning. I was able to hop on an earlier flight. 

PetuniaBird said:

Yippee!  Didn't need the elevator trick.  Only 5 minutes to get through TSA Pre line in Terminal C at 7 am this morning. I was able to hop on an earlier flight. 

You just never know ....

Monday at 5 AM, queue for C-1 stretched across baggage claim level two-thirds the way to C-3.  Non-Pre C-3 queue at bag claim level had about 25 people.  Pre folk were allowed to proceed to checkpoint level and wait in queue - I will say that the Pre queue moved shockingly fast - 2 queues fed into 4 ID checkers and 4 xray screeners.  Well done, TSA.

Same deal with United Premier.  If you go to Security Gate 2 or 3 they will send you back to Security Gate 1 (all the way to the left) even if there are no lines at Gate 2 or 3.  I don't know who is in charge of Security but it's a total cluster f#ck.

Jackson_Fusion said:

annesimms said:

So they are "profiling" certain travelers?

I guess in reverse. For clarity- pre check line was very long- "normal" line was short. So the purple coat people were holding back pre check and not allowing them to go into the "normal" line.

So basically pre check was held against you. Genius!

Edit: Global Entry refers to a program, not referring to people from around the globe ie foreigners. 

Of course, foreign travelers are profiled. They are in every airport in the world.

Aside from the regular Fourth Amendment violations, complete lack of food options, horrendous baggage carousels, completely awful customer service and horrible lines even for "priority" boarders, it really isn't that bad.

Can't beat the location!

Robert_Casotto said:

Aside from the regular Fourth Amendment violations, complete lack of food options, horrendous baggage carousels, completely awful customer service and horrible lines even for "priority" boarders, it really isn't that bad.

Premier and/or TSA Pre status should not prevent people from going to the "regular" line if that is advantageous at the time.  Somebody needs to educate those agents.