Northwest WorldPerks (Discontinued Program) - DCA Elite Security Line Question

We left DCA yesterday (Monday the 3rd of Nov) and went through security about 11:45. There was no line, but at the beginning of security, there was a sign directing to a second line on the right "Northwest WorldClub Members".

Was this a shorter bypass line for times when the regular line had long waits?

Would 1st Class passengers or WorldPerks elites be able to use this line?

I asked the TSA folk at the security checkpoint, and don't think their English was up to understanding the question. Their answer was that the line was for crew.

Anybody who flies DCA regularly know what this means? I ask, because we are scheduled to fly out of DCA again in three weeks on Sunday afternoon, and I have no reason to believe the regular security line will be very short on Sunday afternoons. Since the NW WorldClub is the wrong side of security, I would not be surprised if a special arrangement has been made to speed its members through security.... but would like to know before we try it.

Also, FWIW, DCA WorldClubs personnel on Monday morning had NO IDEA that a Delta Platinum card was ALSO a Crown Room membership card, but allowed us to talk them into it. How "seamless" is this alliance supposed to be?

(We will buy our WorldClub membership next February, but since our leftover CRC is good till then, and should be honored when we are on NW tickets, we intend to exploit it until the end.)

I've been to DCA 3 times in the last month, and didn't notice any special line for World Club members. The World Club is in a different building from security, so I would be very surprised if they would have a special line for them. Also, there are a lot of other clubs there, as well as more dominant carriers, so I find it highly unlikely that there would be a separate line only for World Club members.

Sorry about the problems getting into the club... my angels there are pretty up on things, but I'll make sure they know. As far as security at DCA, I went through there twice last week and it looks like security is being moved further down the concourse, possibly allowing for 3 lanes of magnometers and x-rays (there are two currently) and putting the NW Worldclub OUTSIDE of security...one can only hope! I miss my weekly forays after work...

Okay, now I'm totally confused.

The WorldClub was DEFINITELY outside of security. The attendants suggested leaving 45 minutes early if there didn't seem to be a line.

Approaching security, ropes and stanchions divided two lanes, with a sign between them directing "Northwest WorldClub Members" to the right. No one was backed up in either lane, so we took the main lane (being Delta CRC and WorldPerks Gold but not yet technically WorldClubs members).

Will it still be this easy on Sunday afternoon around 4:30? Enquiring minds are hoping someone with experience can advise -- it will affect how early we leave our (income-generating) convention....

I think this situation varies from airport to airport. In Tokyo (NRT) this week, there were two lines - one for NW elite and world business class passengers, and the other for all others. I have seen similar line divisions in a few other airports in the continental US, but for the most part we all wait in the same line. Until or unless the TSA devises a better way of screening, we will continue to face a disincentive to travel.

Please completely ignore my response. I was thinking IAD and not DCA. I'm not sure what I was on when I posted my comments.

UPDATE

Was at DCA today ticketing an upcoming flight and noticed that the security checkpoint has indeed moved further down the concourse "hallway". There are 2 lines for pax and 1 for "WorldClub members and Crew". Hopefully this will include elites soon. It looks like there is only one magnometer, so this might get to be really long lines in the future as ATA and Spirit are moving into the terminal soon. The only good thing is that the WorldClub is outside of security, so I can relax there while meeting passengers now.

Thankyou thezipper.

I was beginning to worry that I had had a pre-senior moment.

Does anybody have experience with DCA NW security lines on Sunday mid-afternoon? Should we expect the worst?

[edited to fix typpo]

[This message has been edited by LexPassenger (edited 11-10-2003).]

I flew NW out of DCA last Sunday (8:50 p.m. - not quite mid-afternoon) and the sign clearly says there's an extra security lane for WorldClub members.

DCA late Sunday night is great - the NW 8:50p DCA-DTW is the last flight of the night for Terminal A, so there are usually 0-1 people ahead of me in the security line.

But other times (such as Monday morning) can be awful, as ATA, Midwest, and a couple NW flights are loading up. Unfortunately both AirTran and Spirit will be operating out of Terminal A by the time you're there.

Good luck.