Lynchburg Regional Airport — Local services in Timberlake

As someone who works in healthcare/customer service, I was appalled by the service here. I am used to flying out of larger airports where you need at least an hour to get through security and get to your gate. I was not aware that there was a 45 minute cut-off, not listed anywhere in the email confirmation. Apparently here “the computers shut off at 45 min prior to boarding.” (Again I’ve worked other retail jobs and I know that line. Our registers have also “shut off” 10 minutes after closing). I arrived 35 min prior, since I didn’t have to park a car, it’s a small regional airport with 30 people maybe? on the plane, I thought I’d have plenty of time based on my friend’s quick experience. Instead I got to watch 6 tsa agents stand around and stare at me and listen to everyone else board the plane.

It’s one thing to miss my flight, which I’ll own up to, but then when the agents got back to the desk after boarding the plane, there was a young man (Richard, bless you) who was trying to help me rebook my flight, but said he “had to get permission” from his supervisor to help me rebook, who insisted that I be the one to call customer service. Again. Ridiculous. Agents do it for customers at the airport all the time, and the TSA agent said they would help me re-book. Mind you, they had just told me that all flights out of LYH were booked today and I was a puddle of tears at this point, afraid that I was going to potentially miss my friend’s wedding/help her get ready for it since her elderly parents were gravely ill with RSV and unable to travel.

I work in pharmacy where I process 500+ prescriptions/day. I give out emergency supplies of life-saving medication on the weekends when they have waited until the last minute to call in a refill and their doctor’s office is closed. I have never hesitated to call insurance for a patient, because I know that it can be difficult to navigate. My technicians don’t have to “ask my permission” before doing so either.

I love supporting local businesses and organizations. However, LYH regional airport needs to shape up...

Good airport, usually easy to get in and out of in the morning & afternoon. At the risk of ending up on the no-fly list for this...the -2 stars are for the TSA here. Not because they're unfriendly, but because for some reason there is a disproportionately high amount of scrutiny relative to the size of the airport, and if you wish to watch your luggage be searched, it could well effect you making your flight or not. Maybe there are things behind-the-scenes we don't know, but for some reason, TSA agents manually search bags on a counter in the public concourse. EVERY checked bag (of the 4 flights I've departed on in the last year) was manually searched by a TSA agent – they are nice and professional, but they DO ruffle your belongings and WILL remove items that are seemingly not problems at larger airports (small aerosol toiletries/sunscreen, etc). They'll put a generic note in your bag stating something like "airline policy etc". But it is the TSA agent — NOT THE AIRLINE rep — that goes through your bag. Even a simple utility tool that is within TSA guidelines could be subject for seizure when going through security. Again, not trying to compromise security for air travel, but well-minded consumers going through this airport do have a right to know what to expect, and should pack accordingly. Also, as a general rule of thumb, items of value should never go in checked luggage, period. But keep that in mind here. I wouldn't think the TSA will steal anything, but your bag will be opened in a somewhat public area (on the counter next to ticketing), and this increases the change of targeted theft down the line. You probably have the right to remain and watch your bag be inspected, but on a busy day, you might risk missing your gate depending on how many bags there are for the TSA agent to check though. (I will gladly edit this review if the Airport replies with clarifications or incorrect facts...

Always have a plan b ( emergency carry on), and c ( Patience) with American Airlines. If your flight (5239 Charlotte NC.) is cancelled there will be literally no support for you. Baggage handlers no direction or info to give. Approximately 80+ bags sitting on the floor not knowing what flight they were unloading. After 13hrs , being on the phone hrs at a time I get a call from Lynchburg airport my bags are there although I was told to wait 4 he's to get them in Charlotte. It doesn't stop there, same run around when I arrived to pick up luggage. Line already formed with people waiting almost 30 mins. 1 perosn supposedly running the airport. Told 15 min wait on top of me already being there 15 mins. The little young lady didn't like the idea of me calling back to inform them we weren't getting the help we needed until 2 other associates clocked in I guess, and I was on the phone in the line. You shouldn't make plans if you're incapable of carrying them out at a designated time. There was no plan for support if they knew flights were cancelled and people would be arriving. Even after calling back to get the associates name, they refused along with the gentleman I spoke with on the phone. I get it, cover up, conceal, protect. Anyone working for this company please inform your boss or whomever to make a plan on how to better take care of customers in need when flights are cancelled. There was really no support or coordination from start to finish of the cancelled flight. Other than missing a day of work, I guess things was...