| Pages:
1
2
3 |
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
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.
|
|
|
JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10563
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
|
|
It all depends on the airport and even the terminal or airline.
Lines coming and going out of LAX have been very fast for pre-check. Clearing customs at LAX with GE is super fast. They now do facial recognition
at the kiosks and you don't have to talk to anyone or even get your passport out. The regular customs line looked like it was 15 mins.
My experience is LAX is much better for pre-check and clearing customs then a lot of airports.
The airlines in MX are the ones who check for the Covid negative test. They basically glance at your phone for 5 seconds. They started making you
fill out a document where you certify you don't have symptoms.
In Loreto they want you to be at the airport earlier than in the past. 1.5hr.
My kid flew out of Cabo last month. I'll ask him how long.
[Edited on 1-25-2022 by JZ]
|
|
|
bajafreaks
Nomad
Posts: 404
Registered: 3-27-2007
Location: Gardnerville, NV./ Los Barriles BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Bad Days !!!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
JZ - thanks for checking with your son about his experience flying out of Cabo. We have a little more control over that part of the trip because we'll
be returning a rental car.
Boston's Logan Airport is typically cramped, and the American Airlines terminal has been in need of a makeover for decades. The airport itself - like
much of Boston - is built on reclaimed land, with very limited space for expansion. The runways stretch into Boston Harbor, giving the uninitiated a
sense that the plane is ditching on its final approach. Even after nearly 30 years of living here it still elevates my blood pressure. It's quite the
welcome home.
|
|
|
mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena  | | 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.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
|
|
|
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena | | 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.
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1669
Registered: 2-22-2020
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Senior Nomad
Posts: 551
Registered: 6-7-2008
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Senior Nomad
Posts: 551
Registered: 6-7-2008
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by bajalinda | 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
Senior Nomad
Posts: 551
Registered: 6-7-2008
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Nomad
Posts: 151
Registered: 6-3-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
flying in mañana from puerto vallarta to cabo then monday to Las Angeles. can report then
|
|
|
pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by bajalinda | | 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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
That would be awesome. Thank you!
|
|
|
bajalinda
Senior Nomad
Posts: 551
Registered: 6-7-2008
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena | | Quote: Originally posted by bajalinda | | 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. |
Nope - no shark tank.
|
|
|
elskel
Nomad
Posts: 449
Registered: 10-9-2006
Location: Laguna Beach & Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
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
Super Nomad
Posts: 1715
Registered: 5-23-2013
Location: Centerville, MA, USA
Member Is Offline
|
|
| 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
Select Nomad
Posts: 10563
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by bajalinda | 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.
|
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
Senior Nomad
Posts: 551
Registered: 6-7-2008
Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by bajalinda | 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.
|
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
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by bajalinda | | Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by bajalinda | 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.
|
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. |
a big problem. overnighting to change planes is huge waste of time. only the unemployed have time for that nonsense!
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
