YVR Fast Track Lane Security not so Priority Afterall
I was just reading through the thread on <a href="http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/1017347-what-does-priority-luggage-tag-mean.html">priorty baggage tagging</a> and it reminded me of another "just for looks" sort of priority gimmick: the YVR Fast Track Lane.
On more than a couple of occasions when I have been directed into the Fast Track Lane (I am AC Elite) I have stood waiting in a long and slow queue while people in the regular lane go right through an abundance of open scanners! Has anybody else noticed this?
The reason is that they normally have just one or two X-ray scanners for the Fast Track and maybe six for the regular lane (I can't remember exactly how many) and that, for whatever reason, there are a lot of people in the Fast Track lane all waiting for the same scanner, whereas people are moving right through the regular lane!
On one occasion, I was directed into the Fast Track into a long queue of people waiting for a single scanner and there were only about half a dozen people in the regular queue with at least 4 scanners operating!!! Finally (but not soon enough for me), someone noticed and adjusted the barriers so that one of the regular scanners was switched to a Fast Track scanner. But seriously, I don't think the staff are noticing generally! The person directing you into one queue or the other is on the other side of a wall with two doorways, so he/she can't see. The end result is that the priorty queue takes longer (or at least as long as) the regular queue!
Another just-for-looks gimmick!
Anyone else notice the same thing at YVR or elsewhere?
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At least in YVR you have a dedicated scan line for fast track. I've always been able to clear security within 5~10 minutes when I fly out of YVR. Now look at the United Premium security line at LAX Terminal 6..
In the US, they have a TSA personnel to check your ID before you may enter the security line queue. At LAX, you have a fast-track ID check line for prefered(1K/Premier Exec/Premier/*G, etc) customers. However, after the ID check, you enter the queue with everyone else to go through security.
I don't know what these people are thinking, but the bottleneck is always at the security lines, not at the ID checkpoint!.. there isn't much time-saving to jump the ID check line just to be merged back with everyone else right after..
Similar discussions about the inefficacy of fast-track security lanes here and here.
FWIW (nothing to do with AC though), the most sensationally rubbish 'fast track' security lane I have encountered recently is the new one at DUB, which is basically an elaborate practical joke by the airport authority. It consists of a separate door through the wall into the screening area - but when you get through, surprise ! it turns out there is no dedicated machine processing 'fast track' passengers, and you have to walk over to the regular lane and try to insinuate yourself into the queue in front of all the truculent Ryanair passengers coming through the other door, while the staff just stand there giggling into their sleeves at your discomfiture.
So...don't use the fast track line if it is going to be slower.
They can't really tell you which line to use. Go to whichever one you like.
The problem is that, at YVR, there is a wall with two doorways in it and you cannot see what the length of the queues or number of scanners are on the other side until you pass through one door or the other.
Sometimes the YVR Fast Track is indeed quicker. Only sometimes.
Personally, I think the problem with YVR is that the "fast track" lane is also the babies in strollers and seniors with hip replacements line, as a result, the average fast tracker actually takes longer than the average regular line user.
I don't know the YVR line. The YYZ line is almost always useless as far as I am concerned. I found the LAX line worked well for me the couple of times I have used it, and have no complaints about DUB. In the two cases where I uses the the DUB line the ID checker actually walked with us right to where we needed to go and cut us in front of everyone else. My favourite is the LHR line, which is only accessible to J/F travellers. That one works great.
When clearing security (at peak times) in YVR, I always take the walk down to the check point by the A/B gates. Muuuuuch faster to walk back towards the C gates, post security, then stand in the security line for a while.
EDIT: Mind you, I don't have access to the Fast Track line, so YMMV
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...Ok so many people here will not agree with this, but I will say it anyways.
....Security tax/fee we all pay it, why is there a priority line? WE all pay for a public facility, public service so how can they say who can move up and you cant? FOUL, surprise no one has gone to court over this.
...Ok I said my peace, I also do not like those rent-a-cops, but that is a whole different story! Yes I do have an authority issue
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Since I only fly AA pretty much, my experience is only related to transborder. Yes the new wall they have are a nuisance compared to the old method use before which was border first then security. But no, the last time i went through it, I got directed to the regular line, didnt like the length and went back to the priority line and got through within 2 mins.
I went through the YVR Priority Lane the other day (Domestic side) and the metal detectors were going off for everyone (well the 5 or 6 that I saw). Went off for me as well and I'd already been through detectors a few times that day so it must have been set to hyper sensitive.
...Ok so many people here will not agree with this, but I will say it anyways.
....Security tax/fee we all pay it, why is there a priority line? WE all pay for a public facility, public service so how can they say who can move up and you cant? FOUL, surprise no one has gone to court over this.
...Ok I said my peace, I also do not like those rent-a-cops, but that is a whole different story! Yes I do have an authority issue
I actually agree with you; it's offensive to be able to pay more for better government service (if it's mandatory such as screening is). But while it's available...
WE all pay for a public facility, public service so how can they say who can move up and you cant?
, surprise no one has gone to court over this.
Yes I do have an authority issue 
