"The Door" -- Mystery Security Line at IAD?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,658
"The Door" -- Mystery Security Line at IAD?
Anyone know anything about the grey door at the far left (i.e. the United ticket counter end) of the security lines at IAD (next to the elevators)? Several times while waiting (and waiting and waiting) for security at IAD, I've seen someone walk up to the door and flip a light switch. After a minute or so, someone in a TSA uniform opens the door, lets the person in, and flips the light switch off. The person never seems to come out again, leading to the conclusion they're passing through security somehow and getting onto a flight. Who's entitled to use "the door"?
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 197
Originally Posted by SealBeach
Anyone know anything about the grey door at the far left (i.e. the United ticket counter end) of the security lines at IAD (next to the elevators)? Several times while waiting (and waiting and waiting) for security at IAD, I've seen someone walk up to the door and flip a light switch. After a minute or so, someone in a TSA uniform opens the door, lets the person in, and flips the light switch off. The person never seems to come out again, leading to the conclusion they're passing through security somehow and getting onto a flight. Who's entitled to use "the door"?
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: United MP
Posts: 7,822
I'm not sure if it's the same door, but I may have been through that door. The door I'm thinking of is to the left of the line going to the xray machines. If that's the one, I went through it because I was a wheelchair pax. It's just a small room and another door on the other side leads to an area near the xrays. They screend me there, and then left me waiting after the xray for my wife and kids to gt through the regular line.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,658
Originally Posted by SULAX50
I know exactly what you are talking about. When I flew out of IAD on Thurs the 5th, there was a person who went in the door, and because the security lines were so long, other people tried to go "through" the door. The only thing that came to mind was that it the "door" for those who work in the control tower. I will pay more attention on Friday when I am at IAD to see if anyone uses it.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,658
Originally Posted by DeafFlyer
I'm not sure if it's the same door, but I may have been through that door. The door I'm thinking of is to the left of the line going to the xray machines. If that's the one, I went through it because I was a wheelchair pax. It's just a small room and another door on the other side leads to an area near the xrays. They screend me there, and then left me waiting after the xray for my wife and kids to gt through the regular line.
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: UA GS/1K/MM, VA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 5,581
I have also seen a group of pax escorted to "the door". The pax thanked the escort and waited to be let through "the door".
Doesn't look like access to "the door" is a UGS benefit.
Doesn't look like access to "the door" is a UGS benefit.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Northern VA
Programs: UA 1KMM, HH Diamond
Posts: 172
My Dad is sent to that door (he has a pacemaker and unable to go through the regular screening). Perhaps it's for all those who require an individual screening? They usually escort him to the door when we get to the agent checking IDs (although I think those with wheelchairs are taken directly there by the skycaps). It's seems to be thorough and time-consuming as I'm usually cleared and waiting before he's done.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
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It could also be the Air Marshal door.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: United MP
Posts: 7,822
Originally Posted by SealBeach
Yes, that's "the door," but the people I observed going through did not seem to have disabilities.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Rockville MD USA
Programs: UA former 1K MM
Posts: 2,184
SSSS?
I fly through IAD a lot, and I've never noticed where the SSSS selectees go.
I fly through IAD a lot, and I've never noticed where the SSSS selectees go.
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: UA GS/1K/MM, VA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 5,581
Originally Posted by redburgundy
SSSS?
I fly through IAD a lot, and I've never noticed where the SSSS selectees go.
I fly through IAD a lot, and I've never noticed where the SSSS selectees go.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Too many to count, too few to mention.
Posts: 1,480
There is a similar door at JFK, to the right of the TSA screening section, just opposite of the payphones. I think it was for the air marshall.
#13
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
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I saw the door this evening, and it seems to as other posters have indicated be some screening area for individualized screening. Maybe pax with pacemakers, etc., use it--the guy I saw coming through on the other side certainly looked a candidate for a pacemaker. More than once, I heard a TSA screener call out, "Male assist at the [something] door area!"
#14
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM, DL DM
Posts: 419
Originally Posted by redburgundy
SSSS?
I fly through IAD a lot, and I've never noticed where the SSSS selectees go.
I fly through IAD a lot, and I've never noticed where the SSSS selectees go.
#15
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ani Ichibanya
Programs: WWMFD
Posts: 6,292
My whole world lies waiting, behind door number three...