How long have security wait times been at the new KCI? What TSA says of first days

Security check wait times at Kansas City’s brand new airport terminal continue to be five minutes or less in the first week, according to the Transportation Security Administration and KCI officials.

Even on the opening day with around 12,000 passengers making their way through the new terminal, the wait times at the security checkpoints were just under five minutes long, TSA spokesperson Mark Howell said in a tweet.

On Friday morning, KCI spokesperson Justin Meyer tweeted that the wait times were still similarly short.

Although the wait should be quick, TSA is still recommending that passengers arrive at the airport two hours before a flight is scheduled to take off.

If passengers want to get a leg up on the already quick wait times, there are dedicated PreCheck lanes in the new terminal. There are also CLEAR kiosks available, which is a verification system that scans passengers’ eyes and face to identify them and expedite the security process.

What else to know about security and departures at the new KCI

Passengers being dropped off will take the upper level road to the departure curbs. Signs identify where airlines are located, and there are four entrances to the new terminal.

Travelers will check in either at the airline counters or self-service kiosks in the large departure hall. After dropping off any checked bags, passengers then head through security, which has 16 lanes in the middle of the ticketing area.

The security checkpoint will be different from what KCI travelers are accustomed to. There are 16 lanes with the ability to add two more in the future. That compares to the 14 lanes in the old terminals.

The checkpoint is expected to be staffed to meet travel demands, meaning that during peak travel times during the morning, the checkpoint will be fully staffed. Later in the day when there’s a lull in travel, the security team is able to fluctuate its staffing.

Have you had an experience getting through security at the new terminal? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com.

The Star’s Robert A. Cronkleton contributed reporting.