5/2/2026 at 4:22:10 PM
PHL has a verion of this ("Wingmate pass") that I use pretty frequently now! If I have a friend/family flying in/out I usually get one so I can meet them at the gate. It's very nice and convenient. I just wish they would let me use my Precheck, because I have to go through the "regular" security line and sometimes it's just too long and I don't bother.This SFO version looks a bit nicer, though. You can apply 30 days out vs PHL's 7 days. And PHL makes me choose a specific entry gate when applying. So if you show up and that gate has a long line you can't just go through another gate that has a shorter line (at least that's what they tell you - in practice I've entered through different gates without any problems).
Both PHL and SFO won't notify you whether you are approved until midnight of the day you want to enter, which I find interesting. I guess that's some sort of security feature? I've never been denied, but it could be a hassle if you don't find out until the last minute that you were denied.
by joekrill
5/2/2026 at 5:07:53 PM
Since we're comparing those two in particular... The difference between SFO and PHL could not be more stark.SFO: Brand new, high ceilings, quiet, clean, soft lighting and overall chill vibe. Variety of healthy (or not) food options, Ritual and Equator coffee. Decent bathrooms.
PHL: Dingey, cramped, loud. Bad food - not even good cheese steaks. Security checkpoints are spread out, PreCheck is far and no Clear. And absolutely FILTHY. I tried to point out to the TSA management that their employees are literally surrounded by dust bunnies the size of my fist, and they said cleaning is not their department. (No duh?!)
It's going from best in the country to worst, IME.
by anon84873628
5/4/2026 at 12:49:05 AM
I don't really think this is fair. I haven't been to SFO in years, and I'm sure it's great. But I don't think PHL is nearly as bad as some people like to make it out to be. (To be honest, I think a lot of people just like to trash Philly.)But it really depends on the terminal, too. I can never keep track of which terminal is which (other than international), but most of them are quite nice, with nice shops, art work, and restaurants (though, at the end of the day, nearly all airport food is mediocre).
As for "Security checkpoints are spread out, PreCheck is far and no Clear". There are 5 terminals and 6 security checkpoints. They are all quite close together, so I'm not sure why you think they are spread out. Especially compared to other major airports. You can easily walk from one to another. And they all sort of get you to the same basically place once you're past security. You can easily access any terminal, regardless of which entry you used.
It's true we don't have Clear, but personally I've never found it that useful. I've used it mostly in Denver (which, to be honest, I think is way less inviting than PHL!), but Clear has never gotten me through security any faster than PreCheck would have. Often times it's been slower! And I can't remember ever waiting longer than maybe 5 or 10 minutes to get through PreCheck at PHL.
There's a lot of things I hate about PHL, but I think your particular characterizations are unfair. Maybe it's been years since you've been through?
by joekrill