US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Epxedited Security Lines for DM Preferred

Have I been asleep at the wheel - or have these priority security lines been in affect for awhile?? Here's the page:

http://usairways.com/travel/current_operations/flight_operations/priority_lanes.htm

Also read somewhere here that you can take the elevator at LAX from ground level up and show DM card (Silver and up) to get expedited security pass thru... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ARLVACP:
Have I been asleep at the wheel - or have these priority security lines been in affect for awhile?? Here's the page:

http://usairways.com/travel/current_operations/flight_operations/priority_lanes.htm
</font>

They've been in PIT for months. I don't know about the others, but I expect they also have been around a while.

The web page was last updated 6 weeks ago, so at least that long for the most recent city.

[This message has been edited by CPRich (edited 10-06-2002).]

They should add SEA, as there's already a Northwest elite line in place for access to the South Satellite that currently does not allow US Preferreds through.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by us2:
They should add SEA, as there's already a Northwest elite line in place for access to the South Satellite that currently does not allow US Preferreds through.</font>

FWIW, the "NW" elite line at ORD terminal 2 in fact does not discriminate on the basis of carrier.

I flew out of SEA a couple of weeks ago and the NW elite line let me through their line. The guy even said to me: "Wow... you're Chairman's Preferred, you fly a LOT!!"

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by us2:
They should add SEA, as there's already a Northwest elite line in place for access to the South Satellite that currently does not allow US Preferreds through.</font>

AusTxHiker and I had no problem using the elite line in SEA either when we were there for the SEA-doo.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kv99:
I flew out of SEA a couple of weeks ago and the NW elite line let me through their line. The guy even said to me: "Wow... you're Chairman's Preferred, you fly a LOT!!"</font>

Well, the woman who was working that checkpoint would not let me through two weeks ago. I'll try again on my next trip to SEA...

In my experience, the "expedited" lines are BS... In Pittsburgh, they've been in place for a long time, but I find that the other (non-elite) lines are usually shorter.

I, too, especially in Philly, find that the non-preferred lines are often shorter. Not always true (especially Monday mornings as I should point out), but it happens enough that it is irritating to see that you could've saved the time getting out your stupid CP card. (Which, in Philly, they sometimes REQUIRE you to have, even if it already says CP on your boarding pass)

[This message has been edited by nawlinsdoc (edited 10-07-2002).]

Anyone ever have a non-US employee running the preferred line ask you why they dont fly other airlines?

I had a CO employee in PIT once say something to the effect of "we would be pleased to have you onboard as well - keep us in mind when youre planning travel in the future"..

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pitsheel:
In my experience, the "expedited" lines are BS... In Pittsburgh, they've been in place for a long time, but I find that the other (non-elite) lines are usually shorter.</font>

Personally, I get a kick out of seeing how often people will queue up in "elite lines" in cases where the non-elite ones are shorter and sometimes moving faster. I got out of the first class line in Hartford once and right to the front of the coach line and everybody else just stayed in the FC line. Go figure.

The link in Milepost #1 is dead. I did FT and US website searches but didn't come up with an updated list. I'm specifically interested in LAX but I thought a list of all locations with US "Priority Lanes" would be helpful for fellow FTers. Does anyone have such a list or a link to one? If not, perhaps we could just start one here. I know they exist at PHL, CLT and PIT but don't know which terminals.

Airport_______Terminal(s)
PIT...............Security for all terminals is consolidated
PHL..............B/C (when TSA feels like it)
CLT..............??

PIT has one consolidated security checkpoint and it has an elite line which is open to "Preferred and First Class travellers". It is not open at all times, but I've seen it open throughout the day -- so I think they only close it very late and possibly mid day.

In my experience, the "expedited" lines are BS... In Pittsburgh, they've been in place for a long time, but I find that the other (non-elite) lines are usually shorter.

This may be true at non-peak times, but elite lines in PIT are a lifesaver for early am and pm flights. Very often, I get to the airport 30 minutes before departure and breeze through the elite line, while the non-elite line is backed up all the way to the parking lot (double doors just outside short-term parking). Since all my flights out of PIT are at peak times, elite lines are simply awesome, AFAIK..!

And this line is manned by contract employees who allow "elite" passengers of ALL airlines (as documented by the boarding pass) to use this line...I've seen "non-elite" being turned away by people checking IDs and Boarding Passes at the elite lines. In the three years I've lived in PIT, I haven't seen any exceptions here - non-elites aren't allowed to use the elite line, regardless of circumstances, UNLESS airline employees escort people for flights departing within 30 minutes.

Personally, I get a kick out of seeing how often people will queue up in "elite lines" in cases where the non-elite ones are shorter and sometimes moving faster. I got out of the first class line in Hartford once and right to the front of the coach line and everybody else just stayed in the FC line. Go figure.


Just by chance i caught this... Where is the Elite line in hartford? I've never seen one set up, as I have in other airports.

The link in Milepost #1 is dead. I did FT and US website searches but didn't come up with an updated list. I'm specifically interested in LAX but I thought a list of all locations with US "Priority Lanes" would be helpful for fellow FTers. Does anyone have such a list or a link to one? If not, perhaps we could just start one here. I know they exist at PHL, CLT and PIT but don't know which terminals.


I was just in LAX last week and there definitely was a preferred security line. But, I was checking in for the 11:30 redeye to CLT at about 10:00, so it wasn't open. I guess it's for US preferreds and HP elites because the only other airline in Terminal 1 is WN (no elites).

I was just in LAX last week and there definitely was a preferred security line. But, I was checking in for the 11:30 redeye to CLT at about 10:00, so it wasn't open. I guess it's for US preferreds and HP elites because the only other airline in Terminal 1 is WN (no elites).

Thanks for the info. I'm on the 2:00PM to CLT on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I think I'm going to need that line!

Just by chance i caught this... Where is the Elite line in hartford? I've never seen one set up, as I have in other airports.

The thread you quoted was from 2002. The elite line at Bradley might no longer exist.

Just by chance i caught this... Where is the Elite line in hartford? I've never seen one set up, as I have in other airports.

AFAIK, there is no elite line at BDL... The last time I was there (August), there was one line that filtered into 2 scanners in the US/UA gate area (Gates 21-30 I believe).

I was just in LAX last week and there definitely was a preferred security line. But, I was checking in for the 11:30 redeye to CLT at about 10:00, so it wasn't open. I guess it's for US preferreds and HP elites because the only other airline in Terminal 1 is WN (no elites).

The short line is only for club members. I was told that US was not able to negotiate a deal where by their elites also got to use the line. Way to go U! Reward your passengers who buy a membership but might not be loyal. The main security line at LAX stretched down the sidewalk to terminal 2. While the line did move pretty fast some of the people running the lines were not checking IDs. As such many people, including myself, never had their ID and Ticket matched up.

There are no preferred lines at PHL B or C concourses any longer.

However, the line at B tends to be shorter than C in most cases.

You're kidding...no more preferred line at PHL at ALL?? I discovered (the hard way) that the preferred line was usually open only in the morning, not in the afternoon. Well, crap. This definitely sucks. A preferred security line is on my top 3 list of elite perks. :td:

There are no preferred lines at PHL B or C concourses any longer.

However, the line at B tends to be shorter than C in most cases.

Crown jewel, baby, the crown jewel.

You're kidding...no more preferred line at PHL at ALL?? I discovered (the hard way) that the preferred line was usually open only in the morning, not in the afternoon. Well, crap. This definitely sucks. A preferred security line is on my top 3 list of elite perks. :td:

Please let me verify the rumor with US Airways about changes regarding
PHL Preferred Lanes. This thread needs to be verified because that
is a big change.

Verifying is a good idea. I don't want to get worked up over nothing. :)

Verifying is a good idea. I don't want to get worked up over nothing. :)
Please let me verify the rumor with US Airways about changes regarding
PHL Preferred Lanes. This thread needs to be verified because that
is a big change.
Please PM me or post your findings regarding PHL or other airports to this thread. I will update the list being compiled on pg 1 (milepost 12) of this thread.

There are no preferred lines at PHL B or C concourses any longer.

However, the line at B tends to be shorter than C in most cases.

I concur.

Additionally, US employees are no longer verifying IDs/boarding passes at the lines anymore; contracted employees in different uniform are.

I concur.

Additionally, US employees are no longer verifying IDs/boarding passes at the lines anymore; contracted employees in different uniform are.

Yes, it's now a contracted service company. Going through Concourse B security on Saturday about noon, I asked the line checker about an elite line and he said "Oh, usually we have it when it's not real busy." I told him I thought that made no sense, and he just motioned for me to join the line. Wait was about 20 minutes thanks to lots of once-a-year travelers who don't understand that coins are metal, and want to bicker with TSA about taking off their shoes.

Additionally, US employees are no longer verifying IDs/boarding passes at the lines anymore; contracted employees in different uniform are.

Yes, I noticed that as well. Why?

The Priority Lane at PHL B and C is managed by TSA like everywhere.
Apparently, TSA occassionallys shut down the Priority Lane there
without warning when the lines get so long and they need to get everyone through. You should write a letter of complaint to TSA at PHL b/c US Airways needs your help to keep TSA from doing this. US Airways is lobbying to get the lanes to stay open permamently 24/7.

The Priority Lane at PHL B and C is managed by TSA like everywhere.
Apparently, TSA occassionallys shut down the Priority Lane there
without warning when the lines get so long and they need to get everyone through. You should write a letter of complaint to TSA at PHL b/c US Airways needs your help to keep TSA from doing this. US Airways is lobbying to get the lanes to stay open permamently 24/7.

Yup. No elite line on Monday morning at PHL. THe line stretched all the way in a complete loop from the escalator near the check-in desks and down the hall to the garage and back to the TSA checkpoint. Both B&C were like this. So was D as I could see it from my point in line in C. THe line took about 75 minutes. Luckily I had enough time, but there were plenty of people who missed their flights. I asked about a preferred line and was told no dice. :td:
Has anyone spoken with US about this? Perhaps they should take it off the website.

I believe there are few bennies to CP, and shorter lines are some of the most important. I am so chuffed there is no Elite line. In C there is a line for staff and I have seen people slip in there by releasing the barriers. No one said anything. And now, it doesn't seem to matter what times of day, the lines have been horrendous. I might try going to F and taking the shuttle!

Jane in PHL

I do not believe that TSA has any role in preferred lines. If they did, I would assume a TSA staffer would man the boarding pass checkpoint. As this is done by either US or contracted employees, a TSA role in this problem doesn't seem logical.

I asked in a similar thread whether FFOCUS would take this topic forward to US Management. Has this been done? If not, I will start the letter writing campaign. This is such a "no brainer" amenity to US's loyal flyers.

The following is a link to the priority lanes page on the US Airways website.

http://usairways.com/travel/airport/


Airport_______Terminal(s)
BOS.................B
CLT.................C
DEN.................??
LAX.................1 (Only for club members)
LGA.................D?
MIA.................??
PIT..................Security for all terminals is consolidated
RSW................??

Philadelphia is not listed on the website, but some FTers have noted that it is sometimes open.
PHL.................B/C (when TSA feels like it)

Yup. No elite line on Monday morning at PHL. THe line stretched all the way in a complete loop from the escalator near the check-in desks and down the hall to the garage and back to the TSA checkpoint. Both B&C were like this. So was D as I could see it from my point in line in C. THe line took about 75 minutes. Luckily I had enough time, but there were plenty of people who missed their flights. I asked about a preferred line and was told no dice. :td:
Has anyone spoken with US about this? Perhaps they should take it off the website.

In the past when this has happened, I've hiked over to Terminal F and taken the bus, which is why if parking in the garages I usually park around the C/D divider even if my flight's going out of B. I can then take the C bridge across, checking out the lines there and over on the B bridge, or start the trek to F. (I have never been lucky to find the D line to be better at peak times than B or C, and indeed sometimes it's worse.) If the F TSA ID checker gives you trouble, just say that "they" sent you over to the F terminal, you guess by mistake, and they'll probably tell you where to take the shuttle bus once clearing F security.

I learned that this works when a PHL-DAY Express flight I was on a while ago incorrectly printed as going out of C via online checkin the night before (it was a CRJ that of course went out of F), and although the ID checker at the F line was surprised to see someone with a Terminal C boarding pass, she had no problem letting me through F security and was nice enough to remind me where the bus was.

Unfortunately the majority of my Monday travel happens earlier than the ~7:45am flight bank so I don't have this problem, but the decrease in preferred lines has been really annoying lately.

The following is a link to the priority lanes page on the US Airways website.

http://usairways.com/travel/airport/



Philidelphia is not listed on the website, but some FTers have noted that it is sometimes open.
PHL.................B/C (when TSA feels like it)


You are correct. PHL is not listed anymore. Anyone with FFocus connections care to inquire? How can they not have priority security at a "Hub" airport?

Patience is a virtue :-)

Sources inform me that the preferred lines have been reinstated at PHL.

I haven't had a chance to check in person so scouting reports are welcome.

There weren't any preferred lines waiting for me on my PHL-SFO flight on Sat., Dec. 4, nor was there an upgrade. :td:

I have to say that exit row seats are still fine on transcons. ^

No preferred line monday (12/6) in PHL at B.

Seems like the outsourced ticket checkers need a lesson in customer service - I find them to be generally rude and big difference (not in a positive way) from the U employees that used to check your ID/BP

There was a preferred line in PHL last Saturday morning. Not very well marked, just about a couple of minutes faster than the regular line. The TSA barker (you know the one that screams at you to take off your jacket) would tell only Preferred and First Class in the line but they didn't check, as far as I could tell. Either line would take 2-5 minutes to go through.

There was no preferred line in PHL last Sunday morning. There was no line (ie I walked straight to the metal detector)

CLT's DM Preferred Security line is at the C Concourse check point.

When I flew out of C in PHL on Monday morning (in the 7:45am bank), there was no preferred line that I could see and I was directed to the back of the line. Thankfully, the line moved quickly. However, when I was nearing the actual checkpoint, I noticed several business-ey looking people waved into the line at the far left. Is this maybe that you now have to ask for the line thanks to contracted folks who can't read a BP?

Also, FWIW, I've had near 100% success making the walk up to the old A terminal (west?) and gone through the AA elite line using US status, then hitching a ride on the people mover. If AA can get a priotiy line consistently open, why can't US do the same in a hub airport?

Bumping this thread for anyone travelling tomorrow (Sunday November 27). Please let us know if there is preferred security at PHL? I'm flying Monday morning.....

The following is a link to the priority lanes page on the US Airways website.

Airport_______Terminal(s)
BOS.................B
CLT.................C
DEN.................??
LAX.................1 (Only for club members)
LGA.................D?
MIA.................??
PIT..................Security for all terminals is consolidated
RSW................??

Philadelphia is not listed on the website, but some FTers have noted that it is sometimes open.
PHL.................B/C (when TSA feels like it)

LAS................1
PHX................4

Finally, lets think about moving these discussions to Travel Safety/Security forum. (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=222) Does it seem like a more appropriate place for a discussion of preferred security lines at any airport?

The following is a link to the priority lanes page on the US Airways website.

http://usairways.com/travel/airport/


Airport_______Terminal(s)
BOS.................B
CLT.................C
DCA.................C (Sometimes open)
DEN.................??
LAS.................1
LAX.................1 (Only for club members)
LGA.................D?
MIA.................??
PHX.................4
PIT..................Security for all terminals is consolidated
RSW................??

Philadelphia is not listed on the website, but some FTers have noted that it is sometimes open.
PHL.................B/C (when they feel like it)

LAX is not only for club members. I have used the preferred line always when I go through LAX by showing my boarding pass and or preferred card. They have let me go through without a hitch.

T

Yep, a day late. By now you probably have your own answer.

10-Nov about 11:00 AM they had a preferred line in C.

As you know, it's not an exact science

Bumping this thread for anyone travelling tomorrow (Sunday November 27). Please let us know if there is preferred security at PHL? I'm flying Monday morning.....

This morning I had an 8am flight out of PHL. As a new US2 I intended to use the Preferred check in line since I knew PHL would be a madhouse. My PHL-PIT flight was leaving from Terminal B (gate 15 at the verrrrry end) and the security line was back almost to the baggage claim. There was a sign for "Dividend Preferred/First Class" however the gigantic line was lined up behind it and there were no TSA people manning that line where you were supposed to enter.

What would you all do in this situation? Obviously the 500 people dumping into the preferred security line were not actually first class or preferred. When I asked another TSA person she just pointed and pretty much said good luck. I ended up getting in a new line they opened up and she just passed me through, however I would have been ticked off waiting in line for 45 minutes and missing my flight. Just curious what the etiquette in that situation would be.

Bumping this thread for anyone travelling tomorrow (Sunday November 27). Please let us know if there is preferred security at PHL? I'm flying Monday morning.....


After the mayhem last year on the Monday after Thanksgiving, I arrived at PHL at 7am for my 9:30am flight. When we pulled in to the airport the security line at B was all the way to the garage..... I walked to C and the line was short. It only took 10 minutes to get through security.... I think the traffic was so backed up from the A to B terminal that everyone got out of the vehicles they were riding in and immediately went to B and that kept the line at C short, although the line did get longer at C while I was waiting to go through.... TSA was as efficient as I've seen them.... they had enough people working at C and all lines were open. No preferred line though... :td:

?? I got to PHL about 6:30-6:45 am, and there was a preferred line at Terminal C, but it was moving so slowly (only one WTMD for it) that I went to the slightly longer but faster moving regular line, and I think I got through faster than I would have otherwise.

B wasn't too bad at that point, and D looked like it might have been deserted (?), but I didn't want to risk D because I think the only have 2 stations there and I hate waiting for a line of any length there. Or have they put in more stations there yet?

What times, exactly, are the "peak travel times", as mentioned at http://usairways.com/travel/airport/ in the "Check-In" segment for PHL?
Kendall

Does having the usair credit card give you priority access to security?

The sign for First and Preferred is up down at the end near the ID checkers, but neither looked up at all at any time as we waited and tried to catch their attention to open it up and let us in.

When we got up to them and asked why they did not open the tape, one of them said "I don't do that. Everybody is equal." So why do they have the sign?

Actually, IMO MWAA is the most incompetent and inconsiderate airport operating agency in the country. They have bred in the airport employees and also most of the contract workers a culture of poor service that pervades both of their locations. The MWAA employees mostly give the impression that you should be happy that they are there at all and they generally do nothing at all to help anybody.

Check out the old woman with the heavy suitcase trying to get it onto the rental car bus. Most of the time the drivers are just irritated that they are being delayed by this incompetent. Contrast that with the rental shuttle bus drivers at FLL who run to help everybody and make sure all are comfortably situated. MWAA sure has a lot to learn about what is involved with running an airport over and above publishing a smart-looking glossy magazine.

I flew to FCO via PHL on Thanksgiving day. I asked about the short line thru the club. They said the club wasn't open and there was no short line for club members or elite. (I am UA 1K). The previous person was told the same thing. The TA chewed me out for showing up 1 hr before the flight. (I am used to going thru security at AA & UA in minutes using their elite lines).

Anyway, I made it thru the regular line in 10 minutes and had lots of time before my full flight to PHL went out.

Bottom line: The TA may not wanted to work on Turkey day. Anyway, no big deal as I made my flight in plenty of time.

The 'sometimes' prefered security line at PHL is a joke. Sometimes it is there and sometimes it is faster than the regular line, othertimes it isn't. It is never reliable enough to count on saving any time so you need to get to the airport early anyway. If they could commit to dedicated times where they would have a prefered line then it would be of value. Until PHL gets added to the paid fast track security program the only 'expedited' security line is the F terminal to shuttle routine.