[dankohn1]

I did the $159 a few years ago before they shut down. My flight out of JFK was delayed by 2 hours, making the expense seem kind of ridiculous. Also, my flight was in a different terminal, meaning I had to leave and then re-enter security, which also kills the time advantage.

[15thandwhatever]

I thought it was pretty clear on their site that they offered the "security transfer" only at certain terminals, for certain airlines. For instance, if you were flying Continental out of Newark, it was great to come in via USH and not have to deal with infrequent flyers at security.

[induscreep]

Could you explain what you mean by "deal with infrequent flyers at security"? What exactly do infrequent flyers do wrong?

[theorique]

They don't know the security theater procedures so they take longer to go through them and hold up the people behind them (laptop out of bag; liquids, gels, and aerosols in plastic bag; etc).

(That's one of the advantages of TSA PreCheck - not only are there fewer people in line, but the people who are in line are frequent flyers who tend to move fast.)

[roel_v]

"What do you mean, does this big sign that says 'take off your belt' mean that I actually have to, you know, take off my belt? And this form that says 'are you carrying any fresh fruit on you', I didn't think that would apply to this orange in my backpack because, you know, I didn't see anything wrong with it!"

[orbitur]

I don't know. I think I'd pay $160 to not sit in traffic for 3 hours, just to wait in an airport/go through security for another 2. That means extra time to get things done before you fly out.

[TheSpiceIsLife]

As someone who lives in a city with a population of approximately 100,000 in the greater metro area - Launceston, Tasmania - I'd like to take a moment to reflect on your comment.

Google Maps tells me Manhattan to JFK Airport is a 32 kilometre taxi ride and takes three hours, plus it takes two hours to clear security at the airport.

I'm a little astounded by those numbers. Five hours to get from the couch at home to the airport. Astounding. I'm through the airport and in Melbourne city in under 2 hours.

I would definitely pay $100 to reduce that. I think $100 helicopter flights is something I would do with friends just to get a drink across town occasionally. How novel!

[mkopinsky]

The numbers above are an exaggeration. I lived in the north end of manhattan (the part furthest from JFK) and an hour to get to JFK was on the long side - typical is probably 40-80 minutes. It doesn't take two hours to clear security at an airport either - typical is anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes.

[batiudrami]

The problem is you have to allow extra time in case something has gone wrong. I waited two hours in a queue at O'Hare just to get through security - thankfully I had allowed three hours.

Compare that to anywhere in Australia where you can be sure security won't take more than 10 minutes - you can arrive at the airport with 45 minutes before your flight and still be waiting 20 minutes after you check in and pass security before you board.

[mpdehaan2]

Incidentally, Uber direct to JFK is slightly cheaper than a cab too ($45-ish?). You think it would be crazy expensive, but it's flat rate. I'm not sure about from JFK into the city, but I think I was told it was the same.

I'm not too big of a fan of the AirTram + Long Island Railway (LIRR) route, which ends up at one of the major train stations, has on outside terminal (not great in the winter and slow with a lot of things to remember to do), but is about half price of that.

[epc]

I've become a big fan of the AirTrain + LIRR combo since moving into Manhattan from Brooklyn. Almost always consistently 45-50 minutes from terminal to my apartment in Chelsea. Perfect for rush hour to/from JFK.

[cylinder]

Uber to JFK is $66 right now. Taxis are a flat rate to JFK as well ($60 plus tip). There are car services you can call which will do it cheaper.

I've recently started doing Penn Station -> Jamaica w/ LIRR -> AirTrain, it's miles better than subway and almost preferable to car if you're paying for the car.

[dankohn1]

Uber flat price to the city is great until you hit a surge, which is easy to hit in the afternoons, especially when it rains. Then it can be 2x or 3x the price of pre-booking a ride. Uber should add reserve pricing for trips you know in advance, like AWS does.

[loucal]

There is no way google maps says that takes 3 hours, right now it shows 27min but obviously there is no traffic right now. In order for that trip to take 3 hours you would need a perfect storm of EXTREME traffic, zero knowledge of the city, and no gps to help you navigate. I would be astounded by those numbers too, but they aren't even close to accurate.

[TheSpiceIsLife]

You're right, sorry. I was looking at the distance on Google maps and then the 3hrs OP had mentioned. I didn't even think to look at Google maps time, which presently states 30 minutes. Looking now at what I've written it's obvious I didn't word that how I intended it. Thanks for picking that up.

[jrockway]

Takes me about an hour door-to-door via public transportation from downtown Brooklyn. I've never felt like paying the $70 to take a taxi, so not sure how long that takes.

[cylinder]

Definitely not three hours. Longest I've been stuck in traffic was 50 minutes from east Manhattan to JFK, and that was at 5pm on the day before Christmas eve (23rd).

[matthewsimon]

Three hours seems extreme. I live in Manhattan and can get to LGA in under an hour on a public bus, or by taxi in 35-45 minutes, and a taxi to JFK might take an hour but certainly not three.

[melling]

There's a train to the airport.

[JonTarg]

I just try to fly out of NYC after midnight, less people, virtually no traffic.

[vl]

There is subway line to JFK, why would you be in traffic?

[saalweachter]

JFK is at the end of a long subway line, with the Air Train between the subway and the airport. Coming from most parts of Manhattan, I would budget 90 minutes to get there via the subway and 45 minutes by taxi.

The subway to JFK is cheaper, but most people who live in Manhattan and can afford to fly semi-regularly are going to spring for a taxi.

[uberdog]

I would always take LIRR to Jamaica, then Airtrain. Easy peasy, way faster than the subway and only about $20.

[speik]

Taxi is much easier. If you've got the dough, you're going to take a taxi. It's a flat $45 rate out to JFK as well.