NYTimes Ethicist: Elite TSA lines not fair
Jun 3, 2007, 9:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Oregon (DL and Marr Lifetime plat. etc.)
Posts: 1,273
NYTimes Ethicist: Elite TSA lines not fair
"While airlines share the cost of passenger screening, they also share the cost, through their taxes, of state troopers. But when a first-class flier gets a speeding ticket, he is treated like everyone else. Passengers submit to screening as a legal obligation; all should be treated the same. To establish a short line for those who pay more and an endless line for those who pay less violates the spirit of equal treatment under the law — unlike when an airline provides comfy first-class seats and miserable coach seats, which is not a legal situation "
I hope this is not too much of a quote. Feel free to edit as necessary. This is from the Sunday NY Times magazine. I think registration is required, but here's a link you can try
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/ma...l?ref=magazine
I'm going to continue to use the elite lines, but now I might feel guilty.
I hope this is not too much of a quote. Feel free to edit as necessary. This is from the Sunday NY Times magazine. I think registration is required, but here's a link you can try
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/ma...l?ref=magazine
I'm going to continue to use the elite lines, but now I might feel guilty.
Jun 3, 2007, 9:44 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
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I'll continue to use the Elite Lines that the airlines have chosen to establish in the little slice of the Security C/P that they have any authority over, and I will not have any guilt for doing so...
I pay enough, in time away from family and in cash flow, that I will use any benefits provided as a result without guilt or shame.
I pay enough, in time away from family and in cash flow, that I will use any benefits provided as a result without guilt or shame.
Jun 3, 2007, 9:49 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS
Posts: 3,534
His analogy doesn't hold. If you're "famous" and rich you may very well get away without a speeding ticket. And if you're just plain "rich" you can try to fight the ticket in court more effectively than someone who is not "rich". If the airlines are sharing the cost of the screening they should get some input on how said screening is conducted, i.e. better service for better-paying first-class customers.
Jun 3, 2007, 9:51 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 290
no bad feelings or bad conscience using the Elite lines and will certainly continue to do so ... coming back to the comparison of "equal treatment under the law", well, if this argument is taken to the extreme than nobody would be able to select his/her own lawyer for representation in court and have to live with a state appointed one - quite absurd as is the argument of the NYTimes writer
Jun 3, 2007, 9:57 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 503
Absolutely ridiculous...why the heck should I or any elite FF have to wait behind Ma and Pa Kettel who travel once every 5 years and don't know they have to take their shoes off, take their laptops out, and take their Kippy Bag out. One of the best things about these lines is that we have to go through the TSA ALL THE TIME, and generally know all the regulations (unless a screener decides to arbitrarily change one 
)...unlike the once a year travelers who just hold everything up.
)...unlike the once a year travelers who just hold everything up.
Jun 3, 2007, 10:12 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: ORD, MBS
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Mr. Randy Cohen expressed only HIS opinion.
Someone who calls himself "ethicist" is not any more qualified to pass a judgment value than me, YOU, Ms. Manners or Don Imus.
So, under the rules of democracy and free speech Mr. Cohen wrote what he thought to be his considered opinion and I shall continue to enjoy all that my money can buy.
Thank you for reading my contribution to this ethical issue.
Someone who calls himself "ethicist" is not any more qualified to pass a judgment value than me, YOU, Ms. Manners or Don Imus.
So, under the rules of democracy and free speech Mr. Cohen wrote what he thought to be his considered opinion and I shall continue to enjoy all that my money can buy.
Thank you for reading my contribution to this ethical issue.
Jun 3, 2007, 10:12 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 109
I think the original letter writer is confused. All of the lines in front of the checkpoint up to the ticket checker are an airline/airport responsibility. The airlines can walk some passengers to the front of the line, set up special lines for some of their passengers, and direct traffic based on whatever criteria they choose.
It is TSA policy to not differentiate between passengers based on their ticket price or their frequent flyer status. The airline passengers arrive at our checkpoint in whatever order the airline facilitates their arrival. That's why you will see an airline CSA walking in front of the checkpoint, asking "Anyone on Flight number _____". The airline does have the right to move these passengers to the front of the line.
I know the Registered Traveller program does allow participants to move to certain quicker lines. Background checks qualify these passengers for different levels of security. However the fees associated with this are supposed to be user fees to facilitate the background investigation. If the program is worthwhile, I would personally get rid of the user fees and fund it through the general fund to avoid the appearance of different levels of scrutiny based on a customer's willingness to pay.
Angry Dan
It is TSA policy to not differentiate between passengers based on their ticket price or their frequent flyer status. The airline passengers arrive at our checkpoint in whatever order the airline facilitates their arrival. That's why you will see an airline CSA walking in front of the checkpoint, asking "Anyone on Flight number _____". The airline does have the right to move these passengers to the front of the line.
I know the Registered Traveller program does allow participants to move to certain quicker lines. Background checks qualify these passengers for different levels of security. However the fees associated with this are supposed to be user fees to facilitate the background investigation. If the program is worthwhile, I would personally get rid of the user fees and fund it through the general fund to avoid the appearance of different levels of scrutiny based on a customer's willingness to pay.
Angry Dan
Jun 3, 2007, 10:18 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Chicago
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Posts: 119
Well in typical NYT tradition - little research resulting in a lack of facts. Its the airline contract employees who check ID's and manage the lines going into the checkpoint - so the airports / airlines can set it up how they want.
Secondly as noted its an EFFICIENCY thing. An elite line can screen more pax/hr then a non-elite line - helping everyone in the long run.
Would he also say that because I'm only buying a few items at the grocery store, I should not be allowed to use a store's express line? (because in fact I'm paying less towards the cashier's salary). C'mon!
Secondly as noted its an EFFICIENCY thing. An elite line can screen more pax/hr then a non-elite line - helping everyone in the long run.
Would he also say that because I'm only buying a few items at the grocery store, I should not be allowed to use a store's express line? (because in fact I'm paying less towards the cashier's salary). C'mon!
Jun 3, 2007, 10:48 am
#11
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
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Location: Louisville, KY
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Posts: 57,953
I'd be happy to eliminate the elite lines and the TSA at the same time.
I never had to worry about how much time it took to clear the checkpoint before Congress created this abomination of an agency.
Nuke 'em both, go back to private screeners without the disgusting shoe, baggie, boarding pass, and ID harassment, and I'm a happy guy.
I never had to worry about how much time it took to clear the checkpoint before Congress created this abomination of an agency.
Nuke 'em both, go back to private screeners without the disgusting shoe, baggie, boarding pass, and ID harassment, and I'm a happy guy.
Jun 3, 2007, 11:07 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
My email to The Ethicist:
Dear Mr. Cohen:
Sorry, but you completely missed the mark in your response to Allison Moule who complained about separate "elite" lines for security at Denver International Airport. You contend that all passengers are the same and should be so treated. This is completely untrue. First, experienced fliers, i.e. those with elite status with an airline, present far less of a burden to the security process because they know that they need to remove their shoes, take out their laptops, remove all metal objects from their pockets, not carry liquids beyond 3 oz. through the checkpoint, etc. There is no reason for these people, who spend far more time on aircraft than they would like, to be held up by the casual, i.e. non-elite status, flyer who may clear security once a year, rather than once a week, and simply doesn't know the procedure.
Second, it is the airline, and not the government, that assumes both the cost of, and responsibility for, the lines that lead up to the checkpoint (the checkpoint itself is the responsibility of TSA). Naturally, airlines are interested in attracting high-revenue passengers -- those who fly often and/or those who buy high-fare tickets. It is completely fair to provide an enhanced experience to those who pay more to the airline for the privilege. This is no different than any other industry that provides different levels of service depending on how much a customer pays. Should holders of box seats not get preferred parking at the ballpark? Should high-rollers not get special treatment at Las Vegas casinos? Should Broadway theaters all be general admission?
Everyone is treated the same at the checkpoint -- TSA makes no distinction between elite and casual fliers and both receive exactly the same screening. The lines up to the checkpoint, just like the check-in process itself, is the sole responsibility of the airlines and it is perfectly fair that they offer their best customers the best experience. This is one where a little bit of research might have provided a better informed answer. I hope you'll publish a correction, rather than allowing a factual error to stand that encourages belief in a class distinction that simply doesn't exist.
Best regards,
PTravel
Sorry, but you completely missed the mark in your response to Allison Moule who complained about separate "elite" lines for security at Denver International Airport. You contend that all passengers are the same and should be so treated. This is completely untrue. First, experienced fliers, i.e. those with elite status with an airline, present far less of a burden to the security process because they know that they need to remove their shoes, take out their laptops, remove all metal objects from their pockets, not carry liquids beyond 3 oz. through the checkpoint, etc. There is no reason for these people, who spend far more time on aircraft than they would like, to be held up by the casual, i.e. non-elite status, flyer who may clear security once a year, rather than once a week, and simply doesn't know the procedure.
Second, it is the airline, and not the government, that assumes both the cost of, and responsibility for, the lines that lead up to the checkpoint (the checkpoint itself is the responsibility of TSA). Naturally, airlines are interested in attracting high-revenue passengers -- those who fly often and/or those who buy high-fare tickets. It is completely fair to provide an enhanced experience to those who pay more to the airline for the privilege. This is no different than any other industry that provides different levels of service depending on how much a customer pays. Should holders of box seats not get preferred parking at the ballpark? Should high-rollers not get special treatment at Las Vegas casinos? Should Broadway theaters all be general admission?
Everyone is treated the same at the checkpoint -- TSA makes no distinction between elite and casual fliers and both receive exactly the same screening. The lines up to the checkpoint, just like the check-in process itself, is the sole responsibility of the airlines and it is perfectly fair that they offer their best customers the best experience. This is one where a little bit of research might have provided a better informed answer. I hope you'll publish a correction, rather than allowing a factual error to stand that encourages belief in a class distinction that simply doesn't exist.
Best regards,
PTravel
Jun 3, 2007, 11:18 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: New York, NY USA
Posts: 631
The NYY's "Ethicist" would be better off writing on whether it's ethical for The Times to always champion gun control and making it almost impossible for individuals living in NYC to obtain pistol permits while at the same time the publisher of The Times Pinch Sulzberger, Jr purportedly has a carry permit!