Sea-Tac’s long lines leave many with short tempers

Associated Press

SEATAC — Officially, the word from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is to show up at least two hours before your flight.

But as holiday crowds pack the airport, some passengers are offering alternative advice: Try to be three hours early, if not more.

"This is horrible. They never told me it would be like this," said Linda Lindsay of Everett, who arrived 90 minutes before her flight to Los Angeles. "The airline should have told me to get here three, four hours ahead of time."

Some people reported missing their flights.

"I’m going to grow a beard before I get to the front of that line," traveler Greg Powers told KIRO-TV on Friday. "This is just nuts. Nuts! It’s crazy! It’s nuts."

Lines at security checkpoints snaked around and around the concourses.

Cars jammed the curbside drives at Sea-Tac on Friday, causing gridlock and backups that at times kept people from getting to their gates promptly.

Because of heightened security following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, people are no longer allowed to see their loved ones off at their gates. That means curbside drives are choked with greater numbers of people being dropped off.

"Our drives are taxed to the limit," said airport spokesman Bob Parker. "It will be much more convenient and a lot less hassle for people to go to the garage, even if they’re just dropping people off."

Inside the airport, he said, "The lines are long, but they’re orderly."

Still, many travelers on Friday reported having to wait more than an hour in line.

One traveler said it took her an hour and a half just to find a parking space, which meant she had to reschedule her departure time to 3 p.m., three hours later than originally planned.

"They told us it would take an hour," Theresa Savage told KIRO-TV as she stood in line "But this doesn’t look like an hour."

Others said they weren’t surprised, given the push for tighter security.

"This is what I was expecting," said Diane Spencer of Federal Way. "I already heard it was going to take about three hours to get through all the lines and security."

Some tips from airport officials: Don’t bring wrapped Christmas presents. Keep government-issued identification ready to display at the ticket counter, security checkpoint and before boarding the plane. And allow plenty of extra time.

Associated Press

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

Judge sentences man for role in human smuggling ring

Jesus Ortiz-Plata was arrested in Everett in May 2024. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison.

Bill Wood, right, Donnie Griffin, center right, and Steve Hatzenbeler, left, listen and talk with South County Fire Chief Bob Eastman, center left, during an Edmonds Civic Roundtable event to discuss the RFA annexation on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds community discusses annexation into the regional fire authority

About 100 residents attended the Edmonds Civic Roundtable discussion in preparation for the April special election.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Timothy Evans, a volunteer at the east Everett cold weather shelter, with his dog Hammer on Monday, Feb. 10 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Temporary shelter opens in Everett during unusually cold weather

The shelter will open nightly until Feb. 14. Help is needed at the new location, as well as six others across the county.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens schools bond leading early; Arlington voters reject latest levy attempt

A $314 million bond looks to pass while Arlington’s attempts to build a new Post Middle School again appear to take a step back.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.