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Soon, spring break crowds will be smacking up against a cumbersome new security checkpoint system at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. This means that by the time you claim your seat on the plane, you'll really need a vacation. Plus, you may be so relieved to finally be sitting down that you won't notice the airplane's cramped quarters.
On Feb. 16, the Transportation Security Administration reduced the number of checkpoints at MSP from six to two, with the same number of lanes, 16. No doubt the intentions were good; it was supposed to increase, not decrease, efficiency. Unfortunately, the reality is falling short of the intention.
Fliers are stuck waiting for as long as an hour to get through security, according to reports by my Star Tribune colleague Tim Harlow.
A checkpoint at the south end, which has been in place for some time, has six lanes. The new, $17 million version at the north end has 10 lanes. The problem is that not all of the lanes are being used. Relief isn't expected until late March.
"We're experiencing heavy traffic. Arrive at least two hours before your domestic departure time," the airport's website warns.
If you don't have TSA Pre-check, aren't flying first class or can't otherwise access a fast lane, arrive early and be prepared to wait. Bring snacks. Sip your bottle of water knowing you'll finish it before you reach the screeners. Conjure up games to distract the kids.
You can help ease the process for everyone by knowing what you can and cannot bring aboard. Brush up on the screening process at tsa.gov/travel.
Want in on TSA Pre-check? Remember that every member of the family will need to go through the $85 application process if you want to get through security together. And the application is like the checkpoints, in a way: Be prepared to wait. TSA says it takes two to three weeks to process an application.
