Do I need to go through security for self-transfer?

Do you have to go through security when transferring?

Depends. It's a real crapshoot, you know? Usually not, if it's all within the same airport. But that's not always the case, especially if you’re flying through a behemoth like O’Hare. I learned that the hard way, last April. Missed my connection, of course.

Sometimes, they herd you through a sterile, soulless tunnel. Other times? Full TSA gauntlet again. It’s brutal.

Internal airport transfers are often seamless, thankfully. But don't bank on it. Don’t. I wish I had.

• Check your specific airport's website. Seriously, do it.
• Look at your boarding passes. It might be vague. It usually is.
• Allow extra time. Always. Always, always.

That last flight... ugh. So stressful. Three hours late. Three hours. I almost missed my flight to Grandma’s for her 80th birthday. That was 2023. She was not happy. I needed that airport transfer to work. Seriously. It did not. It’s a nightmare, this air travel thing. Honestly.

When transferring flights do you have to go through security again?

Ugh, remember that time in 2024? Newark airport. Total nightmare. My flight from Dublin landed late, already stressed. Then, connecting to a domestic flight, I had to go through security AGAIN! Seriously? The line was endless. People were grumpy. I was sweating. Missed my connecting flight, of course.

So frustrating. I had, like, an hour layover anyway. Didn't seem enough. It felt like three. Long lines, slow TSA agents, the whole deal. My boarding pass was practically crumpled from my sweaty hands.

The worst part? International arrivals gate was far from my domestic gate. I was sprinting, lugging my huge suitcase. I even almost tripped. Had to ditch some snacks to make time. Lost that new bag of crisps. Gutted.

Here’s the breakdown of the whole mess:

• Flight origin: Dublin, Ireland
• Arrival Airport: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
• Connecting flight: Domestic flight within the US
• Result: Missed connection due to lengthy security lines after an international arrival. Total chaos.
• Lesson learned: Always allow extra time for international connections, even for domestic flights. Seriously. Plan for the unexpected. Don't even think about making it tight. Plenty of extra time. You need it.

The whole thing was a disaster. Next time, I'm booking a longer layover. And no more cheap snacks. Those chips were delicious.

Do you have to go through security for an international layover?

Security again?! Yep, for international layovers, you betcha. Think of it like this: your luggage is sneaking into a new country, so it needs a passport check, just like me trying to sneak extra cookies from my grandma's house.

Customs and immigration? Almost always! Unless you're magically beamed to your next flight, it's passport time in most scenarios. My last trip to Italy? More stamps than a pigeon at the post office, I tell ya.

For domestic flights? Sometimes a hard NO. Depends if you're hopping to grandma's or changing from one terminal to another. The whole process is about as predictable as the weather in my town, haha. It is what it is.

• International Layover Key: Security screenings are practically mandatory. Imagine TSA agents eagerly waiting like kids at the birthday party for their turn.
• Customs/Immigration: First point of entry? Brace yourself. It's paperwork palooza. Get those documents ready!
• Domestic flights: Variable, like my mood on Monday mornings.

Do I need to exit the airport for a connecting flight?

Nope, unless you're a seasoned airport escape artist. You'll need to go through security again, which is about as fun as a root canal. Think twice, unless you've got more time than a billionaire with a lottery win.

Seriously, though. Exiting the airport for a connecting flight is a recipe for disaster. Imagine this:

• You miss your flight. Yep, that's a fun way to spend your vacation money – watching reruns of infomercials in a sticky airport chair.
• TSA lines are longer than my patience. And my patience is longer than a CVS receipt.
• You get lost. Even if you've got a better sense of direction than a homing pigeon, airports are confusing labyrinths designed by mischievous gnomes.
• You forget where you parked your car. This happened to my aunt Mildred; she's still looking for it. It's a long story.

Only do it if your layover is longer than my grandma's stories about her cat. (Which, let me tell you, are epic.) At least six hours, maybe seven. And even then... are you sure?

My cousin, bless his cotton socks, tried it once. He ended up eating a questionable hotdog and almost missed his flight. He's still traumatized. I think he's afraid of airplanes now.