Philadelphia Airport

This is by far the worst airport I have ever experienced while trying to return from an international flight. We arrived in Philadelphia at 4.43 and our connection was at 6.25. There are 42 passport windows and only 10 were open for over 600 passengers in line. We get through there and have to go through security again after already going through security at our first airport which only had 3 lanes open for the same 600 people. I asked the Officer in charge to see if we could get at the front of the line as our connecting flight was closing in 10 minutes and she said "Looks like everyone is in the same boat and everyone would be missing their connections"! I will pay extra next time to fly through Charlotte which has a much better process and much friendlier staff.

Coming in from an international flight (Canada) was a nightmare. Even with an 1 hr 20 mins between flights and running we could not make it to our connecting plane on time We had to go through TSA twice - once after clearing customs and again after having to exit the secured area to get to the other terminal! There was so much wrong it's hard to know where to start. Starting with having to climb down some steep stairs with our carry-on luggage after deplaning wander along a long hallway only to have to take an escalator back up. Miles later customs. Drag luggage to re-check it in for the remainder of the flight home. Through TSA because we had touched our checked baggage to drag it from customs. Then running with luggage from one end of the airport to another - including having to exit the secured area and cross a ticket lobby to get to the gate we needed to depart on. Had to then wait in a huge line to go through TSA again. Then running to make our gate at the end of another terminal. Showed up with barely a minute to spare only to find out they had changed our departure gate and did not announce it in the areas we were. The gate agent said they would call to tell the people at the new gate we were on the way and to wait. Once again running to the end of yet another terminal only to find the plane had left. Gate agent not only didn't care but was extremely rude. Others missed the flight as well - for the same reason. We were stranded in the airport overnight. US Air refused to provide accommodations or even food until we could get another flight the next day. With the exception of one TSA agent every employee we encountered was unhelpful and rude. I would never fly again if I had to go through the Philly airport. Horrible doesn't even begin to describe it.

What a nightmare these whole 2 hours that I had to spent there were! Never ending lines to absolutely ridiculous 'security checks' I mean - 45 minutes waiting in line to get your passport and ticket checked while you miss your flight. I'll be sure to never pass trough Philadelphia again if I can help it!

Its easy to get to the airport. After check-in I went to security which was very busy due to the rush hour early in the morning. Queues were handled efficiently. Sufficient seating space at the gate clean. Free wifi and re- charging points are great bonus!

I've literally never been more embarrassed to be an American than when I past came through Philadelphia via an international flight. This airport is a total disaster in every which way. Once you're finished clearing customs visitors are subjected to lines in a cramped dingy hallway prior to being re-screened by the ever faithful TSA. After clearing security you are once again subjected to dimly lit low ceiling hallways manned by 2 to 3 US Airways employees at each turn informing you to stay to the right and don't you forget it! After that miracle of American ingenuity you'll probably be lucky enough to have to transfer via bus to another terminal. True to style these buses are a real help especially when running late to a flight most notably when the bus waits 20 mins while two US airways employees stand and talk.

My main problem was with US Airways but in looking over other flights that have gone in and out it seems the airport is incapable of having flights arrive and depart in a timely manner. Apparently my flight was not an aberration. I ended up spending the night in an area hotel due to the incompetence of all concerned especially the extremely rude US Airways employees at my gate. It seems that no one is accountable for the chaos at this airport and I will avoid flying there at all costs in the future. It sounds as if many foreigners use this airport and it is embarrassing to me as a US Citizen that this is the first "welcome" they get upon arrival to our country.

Philadelphia airport seems to work reasonably well although the terminals are very spread out and it's a long walk between them. However connecting International passengers have to endure a desperately badly organized and understaffed security check once they have cleared customs and immigration. I only had carry- on luggage so I was one of the first through but it still took me over 40 minutes. I hate to think how long it would have taken the people at the back of the plane with luggage. With hindsight I wonder if it might not have been quicker to have existed the terminal and re-entered through another domestic security lane. Very poorly organized and very disappointing for an airport which seems to have aspirations to be an International hub.

Arriving from the UK en route to Hawaii (via Vegas). Immigration was reasonably well organised and the queues moved fairly quickly but the security area after claiming baggage and returning to second belt for connecting flights was carnage! There was no order and many people were queue jumping. Staff were unhelpful and oblivious and passengers were manic as many missed connecting flights (including us!). Avoid using this airport but if you have no choice would suggest you allow at least 3-4 hours between connecting flights as your connection will not wait for you and your bags invariably go without you!! We had to fly to Vegas via Phoenix adding an additional flight to our already very long journey as we had only allowed 2 hours in Philly. Advice for staff at Philadelphia airport - take a trip to some other US airports eg Phoenix or San Francisco who know how to organise thousands of passengers through security with minimum wait times and fuss and learn from them.

Customs and Immigration screening process for returning US Passport holders was totally ridiculous with massive lines that make rides at Disneyland insignificant. It took us one hour and fifteen minutes to get through the process then we had to recheck all our baggage and go through security screening again for our connecting flight home which we barely made. The beautiful relatively new facility is woefully understaffed in the passport control area (your tax dollars at work): of 35 available "stations" only 13 were being used.

Took 1.20 hrs to clear TSA security at terminal C before a 8.00 am flight. I am a frequent traveler but was directed to the long switch back queue by TSA agent. Had to run down the terminal along with many others to catch our flights. This bottle neck needs to be fixed.