BajaNomad - Security lines at airports in US and Mexico

My wife and I will be flying from Boston to Los Cabos and back next month. We have TSA Pre-Check, but have encountered issues with it in the past when the TSA is short-staffed. I'm curious to know if there's anyone who has recently flown from a U.S. airport to Mexico and/or vice versa and could comment on how long they had to wait in line to get through security. It would be especially helpful if this was after the U.S. began requiring a negative COVID test to board a U.S.-bound plane from Mexico. I should add that we're traveling on weekdays to avoid the crowds, but we also know it's prime tourist season in Baja.

Don’t worry about lines. The airport security/check-in lines today are generally similar to lines pre-covid.

And just like in pre-covid times, the security lines may be short or long, and you never know until you arrive in the airport for your flight.

Don’t fret over whether lines will be long. Plan for the worst, and if line is short and you have extra time at the airport, then read a book.

pauldavidmena - 1-25-2022 at 09:01 AM

I always bring plenty of reading material on vacation, as well as a smart phone should I wish to document the journey. My wife and I always err on the side of being early, so I expect this will be no different - except that we're traveling internationally for the first time in 2 years.

JDCanuck - 1-25-2022 at 09:08 AM

When we flew out of Cabo, the line was very long and very disorganized attendant asking for vaccine test results and passports, handing back the wrong passports, etc. Expect problems as everyone was short staffed. Load everything on your smartphone and have in a location it can be accessed easily. Asked for test results or vaccine passports at lineup to get in building, again at the lineup checkpoint, again at check-in desk.
Security was faster than normal and far easier than previously.

[Edited on 1-25-2022 by JDCanuck]

bajalinda - 1-26-2022 at 11:28 AM

I flew out of Los Cabos in early December. For me, the lines weren't long at all and the check-in was smooth - I had all vaccine and covid test documents ready. I got there around 10:30 or 11:00 am, but shortly after I was done checking in the lines had grown a lot and people were in line all the way back to where you enter the zig-zags. I just lucked out. It's all in the timing of when you get there, what's happening with short-staffing, etc. I could just as easily have had an experience like JDCanuck's.

Returning to Los Cabos between Christmas and New Years... getting through immigration was fast- there were a lot of booths open. However, getting luggage took forever and the line to get through customs was backed up well into the baggage claim area, which is why I really don't like flying in to Los Cabos - I've always found that flying out of Los Cabos is less hassle than flying in to Los Cabos.

By the way, the Los Cabos airport is undergoing renovations, so there are very few, if any, jetways out to the planes. You get squished into busses that take you out to your plane or bring you from your plane to the terminal.

bajalinda - 1-26-2022 at 11:44 AM

pauldavidmena - have you ever considered flying into La Paz? Probably too late for this trip, but it's not really any farther of a drive to Todos Santos from La Paz than from Los Cabos.

I always prefer to use the La Paz airport since we live close to La Paz. I had to fly out of Los Cabos last month because of the time of year and my destination in the US, but it was the first time I'd used the Los Cabos airport in quite a while. If you can get a direct Boston to Los Cabos flight, I can understand why you'd choose to do that. But if you have to make a connection anyway......you might want to check flights to La Paz.

pauldavidmena - 1-26-2022 at 03:29 PM

pauldavidmena - have you ever considered flying into La Paz? Probably too late for this trip, but it's not really any farther of a drive to Todos Santos from La Paz than from Los Cabos.

I always prefer to use the La Paz airport since we live close to La Paz. I had to fly out of Los Cabos last month because of the time of year and my destination in the US, but it was the first time I'd used the Los Cabos airport in quite a while. If you can get a direct Boston to Los Cabos flight, I can understand why you'd choose to do that. But if you have to make a connection anyway......you might want to check flights to La Paz.

While the flight from Boston to Los Cabos isn't direct (if it's American Airlines it flies through Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth or Phoenix), it will get there on the same day. Flying to La Paz only seems possible with an overnight layover - either in the U.S. or in Mexico City. Given that we'll only be in Baja for 8 days, taking 2 days to get there (and back) is a non-starter.

Once I retire (in a year or so), we plan to spend longer periods of time in Baja, which would give us more flexibility as far as how we get there.

bajalinda - 1-26-2022 at 03:45 PM

I hear ya....totally understandable. Just trying to help you avoid the hassles and craziness of the Los Cabos airport. LAP is smaller and nicer - give it a try when you are retired and have more flexibility. Safe travels and enjoy your time TS!

amigobaja - 1-27-2022 at 10:06 AM

flying in mañana from puerto vallarta to cabo then monday to Las Angeles. can report then

pauldavidmena - 1-27-2022 at 10:52 AM

I hear ya....totally understandable. Just trying to help you avoid the hassles and craziness of the Los Cabos airport. LAP is smaller and nicer - give it a try when you are retired and have more flexibility. Safe travels and enjoy your time TS!

Does the La Paz airport feature a "shark tank" between baggage claim and the parking lot, where hungry timeshare salespeople come to feed on newly arrived tourists? The chaos in Los Cabos is one of my least favorite parts of the trip, although I've learned that snippets like "Vivimos aqui" tend to work as shark repellent.

pauldavidmena - 1-27-2022 at 10:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by amigobaja

flying in mañana from puerto vallarta to cabo then monday to Las Angeles. can report then

That would be awesome. Thank you!

bajalinda - 1-27-2022 at 11:16 AM

Nope - no shark tank.

elskel - 1-29-2022 at 08:11 AM

I have flown out of SJD, 4 times in the past 4 months. Each time coming and going has been super easy. Flew this past Thursday, very uncrowded in and around the airport. Flew into Santa Ana CA, very uncrowded there also.

pauldavidmena - 1-29-2022 at 08:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by elskel

I have flown out of SJD, 4 times in the past 4 months. Each time coming and going has been super easy. Flew this past Thursday, very uncrowded in and around the airport. Flew into Santa Ana CA, very uncrowded there also.

Thanks for the report! We'll be coming and going on a weekday to try to minimize the crowds, but we expect Logan Airport (Boston) to be very busy - even with a 6:00 AM flight.

JZ - 1-29-2022 at 09:02 AM

The only international flights to La Paz are seasonal flights on American Eagle through Phoenix or Dallas.

Cabo has many more fight options. It would be great if there was a direct flight from LAX.

bajalinda - 1-30-2022 at 07:11 PM

The only international flights to La Paz are seasonal flights on American Eagle through Phoenix or Dallas.

Cabo has many more fight options. It would be great if there was a direct flight from LAX.

Yes, true. But there are frequent La Paz to Mexico City or Guadalajara flights. You don't need an international flight into La Paz. You can connect in Mexico City or Guadalajara.

The potential problem, as the OP points out, is having to overnight in the connecting city. It all depends on airline schedules, where you are departing from, and your destination. For those of us who live by La Paz (or even Todos Santos) any gains in flight options in Los Cabos are offset by having to take the shuttle (extra expense plus extra travel time) or by having to have someone drive you to the airport.

But yes, it would be great to have more flights into La Paz.

mtgoat666 - 1-30-2022 at 09:35 PM

pauldavidmena - have you ever considered flying into La Paz?

If you can get a direct Boston to Los Cabos flight, I can understand why you'd choose to do that. But if you have to make a connection anyway......you might want to check flights to La Paz.

The only international flights to La Paz are seasonal flights on American Eagle through Phoenix or Dallas.

Cabo has many more fight options. It would be great if there was a direct flight from LAX.

a big problem. overnighting to change planes is huge waste of time. only the unemployed have time for that nonsense!

amigobaja - 2-1-2022 at 10:09 AM

Flew Friday Puerto Vallarta to Cabo via Mexico City. Yesterday Cabo to Phoenix to Reno. No lines, no hassles really easy all legs of the trip.
Very impressed on Aero Mexico when getting off the plane everyone waited in their seats until their rows were called. super smooth and easy vs U.S planes crowding and trying to rush the exist. Normally I would not notice but the Mexican airports were so clean compared to most U.S airports that I have traveled in.

pauldavidmena - 2-1-2022 at 11:04 AM

I'm happy to hear positive reports of the experience at Los Cabos airport. I'll be providing my own in the next few days!

:cool:

gnukid - 2-1-2022 at 01:50 PM

When you arrive at your departure check in, ask if there are seats open closer to the front, in the aisle. Most often they will move you forward, sometimes with an upgrade. The close you are the faster you will depart and the faster you will arrive at IMN and if you have carry on you will be on your way. In Los Cabos I have exited the terminal after landing in under 10 minutes often, but, if you get stuck in the back of multiple flights and have to wait for bags it could be 60 minutes.

pauldavidmena - 2-1-2022 at 03:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

When you arrive at your departure check in, ask if there are seats open closer to the front, in the aisle. Most often they will move you forward, sometimes with an upgrade. The close you are the faster you will depart and the faster you will arrive at IMN and if you have carry on you will be on your way. In Los Cabos I have exited the terminal after landing in under 10 minutes often, but, if you get stuck in the back of multiple flights and have to wait for bags it could be 60 minutes.

That's good advice. The difference between being the first in line and the last can be significant - especially with more than one flight arriving at the same time.

This will be American Airlines out of Dallas. In the past the flights have always been packed, but this will be first time flying into Cabo in 2 years, so we'll see if that trend holds.

JZ - 2-1-2022 at 03:26 PM

When we fly to Loreto we always book the front of the plane and carry on.

We are at the hotel drinking a beer before the last ppl clear customs.

JDCanuck - 2-1-2022 at 03:28 PM

Our flight into Cabo was seamless, very quick through security unless you happened to get the red light and the wait for arriving baggage was extra long. The flight out was a whole lot more troublesome, but I would blame this on the understaffed airline check in staff and confusion in the very long line ups.
Mexico airlines and airports do seem to prioritize speed and efficiency as opposed to regulatory controls and delays. I definitely prefer flying Aero Mexico or one of the local Mexican airlines, and secondly, Mexico City or Guadalajara as opposed to any Canadian or US stopovers.

bajafreaks - 2-1-2022 at 04:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid

Not always the case, when landing in Cabo they usually open the front and rear exit doors of the plane. Then they load you onto a shuttle, you may be first on the shuttle but that does mean anything. As mentioned, arriving in Cabo is a lot easier and quicker overall than departing.

amigobaja - 2-2-2022 at 11:31 AM

We went Monday morning to a clinic in Todos Santos for required chinese flu test.They barely shoved it up your nose and didn't even write our name on the test strips. I would best that no one that goes there tests positive. Two hours later we of coarse had our negative test results. What a great money grab for the local clinics.

pauldavidmena - 2-5-2022 at 03:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by amigobaja

We went Monday morning to a clinic in Todos Santos for required chinese flu test.They barely shoved it up your nose and didn't even write our name on the test strips. I would best that no one that goes there tests positive. Two hours later we of coarse had our negative test results. What a great money grab for the local clinics.

Was this St. Jude's Hospital? We have an appointment to be tested there on 2/10.

pauldavidmena - 2-5-2022 at 04:47 PM

Our Thursday morning flight from Boston to Dallas was cancelled due to weather (as would be the connecting flight to Cabo), leaving us stranded a day before the same storm system would come to Boston. We managed to find availability on a late afternoon flight from Boston to Philadelphia, continuing on to Phoenix, where we arrived a little after 11:00 PM. Our Friday 11:30 AM flight from Phoenix to Cabo didn't leave until almost 2 due to a crew staffing issue, getting us to the Los Cabos airport a little after 4.

Despite being a Friday afternoon in February, Immigration was a breeze - in and out in 10 minutes. By contrast, it took about half an hour to get our luggage (one suitcase), followed by 10 minutes through Customs. After that, we were greeted by the familiar shark tank of timeshare salesmen and taxi hawkers, but the shuttle to our rental (from Los Cabos Family rentals, formerly Dominic's) waited patiently for us despite multiple delays. That added another 10 minutes, meaning that we didn't get to Comer in Cabo San Lucas until after 6. We got some pesos from the ATM and did some minimal shopping, getting us back on the road by 6:30. Driving up highway 19 in the dark wasn't part of the original plan, but we managed to get to Todos Santos without incident by 8:00 PM.

All of which was a long way of saying that the Immigration and Customs lines in Los Cabos airport were a breeze. Bad weather in Dallas, staffing blunders by American Airlines and a slow baggage claim process in Cabo were the big obstacles, basically losing us about a day and a half of what was already going to be a brief 8-day stay.

Sunshine and sea breezes are a good antidote to 2 tough travel days. ¡Viva México!

pauldavidmena - 2-9-2022 at 09:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks

Flew in and out of Cabo last month, they are now asking to show up 3 hours ahead of flight time. You can't simply check in at the kiosk like in the past, you have to get in line at the counter to get your documents checked and receive your boarding pass. We flew on Southwest and this wait was about 30 min. once you're done with check in the security checks etc. were the same as always.

Is 3 hours still the recommended time to arrive before an international flight out of Cabo? It seems excessive, but if the lines at the counter justify it, I don't want to miss my flight.

On the other hand, here's the weather awaiting us this weekend.

JZ - 2-9-2022 at 09:30 AM

2hrs will give you plenty of cushion.

AKgringo - 2-9-2022 at 09:57 AM

Last fall, on a flight from Anchorage to Sacramento, I received an e-mail from Alaska airlines notifying me that i needed to check in three hours before my flight.

I never did see any reason for the extra time required, the whole check in process and journey to the departure gate took less than a half hour with no obvious change in the routine.

The next two and a half hours was spent waiting with a mask on with a group of strangers!

JZ - 2-9-2022 at 10:37 AM

Airlines have been saying to arrive super early for several years.

We always show up 45-1hr before the flight. A little longer for international.

Tommy A - 2-9-2022 at 12:42 PM

When we fly to Loreto we always book the front of the plane and carry on.

We are at the hotel drinking a beer before the last ppl clear customs.

You can also sit in the back of the plane as they exit from the front and the back

JDCanuck - 2-9-2022 at 02:23 PM

PaulDavidMena: Seems familiar, we almost always seem to arrive home just in time to catch the last major snowfall of the season. Makes us want to turn around and head back again.

bajafreaks - 2-9-2022 at 02:30 PM

I wouldn't get there any later than 2 hours before...whats an hour if you allow 3. When we flew out in Nov. Last year we arrived 3 hours ahead and were in line about that same amount of time, American Air had a meltdown that day and it was crazy. Flew out in Jan. this year on Southwest air and waited in line about 45 minutes. The thing with Cabo lately is you just never know what to expect.

JZ - 2-9-2022 at 03:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajafreaks

I wouldn't get there any later than 2 hours before...whats an hour if you allow 3. When we flew out in Nov. Last year we arrived 3 hours ahead and were in line about that same amount of time, American Air had a meltdown that day and it was crazy. Flew out in Jan. this year on Southwest air and waited in line about 45 minutes. The thing with Cabo lately is you just never know what to expect.

AA was having all kinds of issues with Covid and staffing related to vaccine mandates.

I wouldn't use that outlier as a guiding post.

2hrs at bigger airports like Cabo is good. 1.5hr at Loreto (use to be 1hr pre-Covid).

I'm not showing up 3hrs before a flight, unless it's at the beginning of a trip and you want some bar time at the start of your holiday.

JZ - 2-9-2022 at 03:09 PM

You can also sit in the back of the plane as they exit from the front and the back

True, but they always open the front first. You are at least 20-40 ppl ahead of the first ppl in the back.

mtgoat666 - 2-9-2022 at 07:09 PM

When we fly to Loreto we always book the front of the plane and carry on.

We are at the hotel drinking a beer before the last ppl clear customs.

You can also sit in the back of the plane as they exit from the front and the back

True, but they always open the front first. You are at least 20-40 ppl ahead of the first ppl in the back.

Shorty Melonhead MCJizzy:
I imagine you are one of those selfish louts that sprints up the aisle just seconds before the fasten seat belt sign is off, trampling the elderly and children, elbowing anyone in your way, in your quest to shove yourself to the front to be first off the plane. There is always one or two of you on every flight…

[Edited on 2-10-2022 by mtgoat666]

JZ - 2-9-2022 at 10:06 PM

I just buy a 1st class ticket or at least premium economy.

Btw, have you ever been to China? Doing what you describe is their national pastime.

pauldavidmena - 2-10-2022 at 12:39 PM

The latest guidance from Estadounidense Airlines:

[Edited on 2-10-2022 by pauldavidmena]

bajafreaks - 2-10-2022 at 03:11 PM

When we fly to Loreto we always book the front of the plane and carry on.

We are at the hotel drinking a beer before the last ppl clear customs.

You can also sit in the back of the plane as they exit from the front and the back

True, but they always open the front first. You are at least 20-40 ppl ahead of the first ppl in the back.

[Edited on 2-10-2022 by mtgoat666]

JDCanuck - 2-10-2022 at 03:21 PM

When we fly to Loreto we always book the front of the plane and carry on.

We are at the hotel drinking a beer before the last ppl clear customs.

You can also sit in the back of the plane as they exit from the front and the back

True, but they always open the front first. You are at least 20-40 ppl ahead of the first ppl in the back.

Since we generally have luggage that we will be patiently waiting for at the carousel, there is no reason to rush off the plane . (unless of course you have to hit the restrooms as soon as possible)

Don Pisto - 2-10-2022 at 03:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck

When we fly to Loreto we always book the front of the plane and carry on.

We are at the hotel drinking a beer before the last ppl clear customs.

You can also sit in the back of the plane as they exit from the front and the back

True, but they always open the front first. You are at least 20-40 ppl ahead of the first ppl in the back.

Since we generally have luggage that we will be patiently waiting for at the carousel, there is no reason to rush off the plane . (unless of course you have to hit the restrooms as soon as possible)

or get out to one of the outdoor bars for a couple six dollar Pacifico's! hey you're on vacation! :yes:

pauldavidmena - 2-12-2022 at 07:39 PM

Well, on Thursday afternoon we tested negative for COVID at St Jude's in Todos Santos, so our next step was to go online to aa.com upon return to our Casita so that we could document the transaction. I thought they might ask us to upload the PDF files sent to us via email, but I was only asked to fill out an "attestation". Maybe St Jude's had to follow up with the powers that be? I hope it was more robust than the honors system.

We erred on the side of arriving at the airport 3 hours before departure, but it ended up being closer to 2 hours, 15 minutes. That got us to a nearly empty check-in experience, during which we confirmed our worthiness to fly, checked our bag and got our boarding passes. By the time we headed for the gate, a sizeable line had formed behind us.

The same was true for security: no line in front of us. It took longer to gather our things than we spent waiting. By the time I buckled up my belt, there was a significant line.

Next, since we had nearly 2 hours before takeoff, we grabbed some caffeinated beverages at Starbucks. There was no line. By the time we were halfway through our drinks, the line stretched out considerably.

Our conclusion: most U.S.-based travelers from Cabo shoot to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure. Even a few minutes earlier (i.e. not 3 hours earlier) can dramatically reduce wait times.

Caveat: I traveled on a Friday, believing that weekends would be much busier.

JDCanuck - 2-12-2022 at 11:52 PM

Well, on Thursday afternoon we tested negative for COVID at St Jude's in Todos Santos, so our next step was to go online to aa.com upon return to our Casita so that we could document the transaction. I thought they might ask us to upload the PDF files sent to us via email, but I was only asked to fill out an "attestation". Maybe St Jude's had to follow up with the powers that be? I hope it was more robust than the honors system.

We erred on the side of arriving at the airport 3 hours before departure, but it ended up being closer to 2 hours, 15 minutes. That got us to a nearly empty check-in experience, during which we confirmed our worthiness to fly, checked our bag and got our boarding passes. By the time we headed for the gate, a sizeable line had formed behind us.

The same was true for security: no line in front of us. It took longer to gather our things than we spent waiting. By the time I buckled up my belt, there was a significant line.

Next, since we had nearly 2 hours before takeoff, we grabbed some caffeinated beverages at Starbucks. There was no line. By the time we were halfway through our drinks, the line stretched out considerably.

Our conclusion: most U.S.-based travelers from Cabo shoot to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure. Even a few minutes earlier (i.e. not 3 hours earlier) can dramatically reduce wait times.

Caveat: I traveled on a Friday, believing that weekends would be much busier.

Maybe the best solution is get there as early as you did (or even a bit earlier) and plan on a nice leisurely meal at the lounge downstairs while you wait for the boarding. I've always found the most stressful part of any trip to be dealing with check in at the airline counters, especially if there happens to be a very long snakey line up. I've also decided being the last to exit the plane is far more relaxing as well. We're on vacation!

JZ - 2-13-2022 at 12:15 AM

Very glad hear you made it to Baja and had fun. I know you waited a long time to make the trek.

Post some pics when you have time.

JZ - 2-13-2022 at 12:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck

I've always found the most stressful part of any trip to be dealing with check in at the airline counters, especially if there happens to be a very long snakey line up. I've also decided being the last to exit the plane is far more relaxing as well. We're on vacation!

If you travel a lot for business you get status with airlines. Plus you learn the ins and outs of the airports. And you can get things like PSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, and Clear.

I've probably flown international a hundred times in the last 10 years. Love it personally.

pauldavidmena - 2-13-2022 at 01:20 PM

Very glad hear you made it to Baja and had fun. I know you waited a long time to make the trek.

Post some pics when you have time.

We've tried to go every winter since 2012. We went twice in 2013 (once in January and then again in July) but ended up skipping in 2018 (right after buying our house on Cape Cod) and 2021. So yes, it was two years between trips.

When we made our plans in August 2021, COVID looked to be receding. By late December we wondered if we had miscalculated, but we continued to watch the trends, and to keep in touch with people we knew in and around Todos Santos.

At the end of January, we had our biggest snowfall here in several years.

Not that it sealed the deal, but it made us determined to overcome our concerns and dare to relax. My only regret is that we couldn't stay longer.

I'll try to put together a trip report with photos over the next few days.

- Paul

phmilo - 2-13-2022 at 06:26 PM