Yeah, the liquids thing is a real bummer. And there is definitely variance -- smaller airports tend to be way more friendly and accommodating -- but in general, I would say PreCheck has been a huge blessing for me. 90%+ of the time I don't have to take anything out, take off my belt or vest or shoes, etc. Usually in and out of security in 2-3 minutes.
Global Entry is even nicer, letting you skip the hours of immigration lines.
I don't particularly like flying, but I do love airports... just hanging around in them, having a drink while watching the planes do their thing... so it's really valuable to me to be able to get through security easily and be able to enjoy the scenery and people+plane-watch :)
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edit: either you edited your comment after I posted, or I missed the second half of it:
> One reason people perceive this is because they're used to comparing European airlines on international routes (where they are often, but not always, better), and because of the geography.
I can believe that!
> you'll get pretty minimal service on a narrow body with no in-flight entertainment or WiFi
I don't care about that so much, but the seating is sooooooo uncomfortable, at least on the short-haul United, Delta, and American flights I usually take.
Has a good comparison... United's seat pitch and width are typically pretty bad, especially for their regional short-hauls, but they're very often the only airline that flies where I live :(
> As for the regional/budget airline difference... I don't know if I'd agree with that either. Is Spirit really worse than Ryan Air?
Global Entry is even nicer, letting you skip the hours of immigration lines.
I don't particularly like flying, but I do love airports... just hanging around in them, having a drink while watching the planes do their thing... so it's really valuable to me to be able to get through security easily and be able to enjoy the scenery and people+plane-watch :)
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edit: either you edited your comment after I posted, or I missed the second half of it:
> One reason people perceive this is because they're used to comparing European airlines on international routes (where they are often, but not always, better), and because of the geography.
I can believe that!
> you'll get pretty minimal service on a narrow body with no in-flight entertainment or WiFi
I don't care about that so much, but the seating is sooooooo uncomfortable, at least on the short-haul United, Delta, and American flights I usually take.
https://www.seatguru.com/charts/shorthaul_economy.php
Has a good comparison... United's seat pitch and width are typically pretty bad, especially for their regional short-hauls, but they're very often the only airline that flies where I live :(
> As for the regional/budget airline difference... I don't know if I'd agree with that either. Is Spirit really worse than Ryan Air?
Don't know, haven't flown either.
But NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER fly Frontier: https://www.flyfrontier.com/
Worst experience of my life, ever. I'd rather go to the dentist than fly with them ever again.