Home » Reviews » Travel from Boston Logan Airport After September 11th

Last updated: 2001.10.06

Mark's Logan Airport Story

PK is precisely correct! ....and without the warning, I wouldn't have known what lines to get in, as the terminal was almost in gridlock with people or luggage. Departed on Friday, 8:30 flight, before 3 day weekend, so perhaps that was part of the problem. Worse than Christmas travel for certain, but without the attitudes, profanity, and fights of the holiday season. Also, flying through Chicago, so dropped at the Chicago departure counter. Mistake, now closed.

Arrived at airport by 6:10 AM, directly to Biz/First Class line for 20 minute wait for check in and baggage. Pity the coach class passengers and line they had - - - at least 45 minutes to an hour. Coach check in line was all the way down hallway, even with every ticketing counter filled with staff. AmerAir couldn't squeeze any more staff behind the counter. After check-in, walked all the way to end of terminal as PK describes, and I was lucky. 1 hour and 25 minutes in security line. Those arriving after me had to go down the stairs by baggage carousels. Heard from security staff that the downstairs line continued to end of baggage, and was starting out the door.

National Guard there, but not doing much other than walking around. Guess this was their first training day.

Tips for consideration: 1) May be better to arrive late. As I went through final security machines, all lines were gone from check-in counters. Also, since they walk along the line calling your flight 5 minutes before departure, for expediting through security, not certain why people will continue to come so early. Our flight waited 25 minutes before pulling away from gate, for persons still in security expedite line. So if you've checked-in, seems they will not leave you for security line. High risk. High return? (for someone with bad body parts/joints.....yes!) 2) The Admiral's Club scam. Half-way through security line I saw a man and his companion (dressed very nice) approach Airlines staff asking "Gee, can't I get to the Admiral's Club for check-in." She escorted him to the expedite line, saving 2 hours in lines. He did have only a roller bag as baggage. So you can use the Airlines club scam, if carry-on luggage only.

Curbside check-in has restarted for other airlines, but not at American yet.

Now Takeoff's are FUN! Southbound departure, over Boston. Pilot sat on the brakes while building thrust for a high angle of attack climb rate. So much for noise abatement now....and understand why airport has been louder for city dwellers recently. As soon as airborne over harbor, banked hard left over ocean keeping high climb rate. After reaching good altitude we came back over southern suburbs heading to Chicago. Similar action in Chicago, approaching from Indiana and the southern route, with rapid decent. So they are keeping altitudes high now. Taking after Southwest Air!

Air time the fastest ever. 2 1/2 hours to Chicago, and no waiting for takeoff's or on ramps for gates. Right in and right out after pushback. Feels bazaar.

Flew First Class all the way, and for sure on Boston leg, one of our attendants was ol' tough, tall, gal, who had no idea how to service passengers. Pretty obvious. Attendants on the Pacific leg are very assertive now with little attitude for good service....very quick tempered. Tim WILL have problems.

When I spoke with other passengers on flights, certainly seems Boston has the huge time problems for clearing security. Only 30 minutes for O'Hara passengers. Yet as PK says, nothing new at the x-ray machines. Full pull baggage plus briefcase allowed, FULLY loaded.

Oh yeah, no more drapes pulled on flights, so cabin always bright with galley lights and lots more noise. Part of the new flight attendant's attitudes of not wanting to be there.

Anyway, sure is different traveling in the U.S. these days. FOLLOW PK's tips!

Over and out!