Originally Posted by
PhlyingRPh
Now that summer is upon us, and there are many people who are taking a little longer than usual to disrobe and organize their stuff on the conveyor belt, I have begun my annual cut to the front of the line fest (TM), which generally lasts May 25 through mid to late August at domestic checkpoints.
I am always polite about it. I ask the person at the front of the line if it is OK with them. I never cut the line if I have anything more than a checkpoint friendly computer bag, or if the people in front of me don't have to negotiate kids, strollers, multiple family members, are having trouble getting their stuff together, etc.
Any time someone doesn't have their stuff together prior to the x-ray / WTMD, I'll jump ahead of them as well.
On the same token, I'll let people jump ahead of me if I have extra gear on me and need an extra minute or two arranging stuff prior to the x-ray.
Two way street.
I'll never jump the entire queue though -- just in front of the x-ray if I'm ready and someone is taking a long time.
Ok - one exception to queue jump: Ever show up at the airport, be told your flight is late (= missed Intl connection at say ATL), but there is a flight leaving in 15 minutes to your hub city (say ATL).
Checkpoint line is at least 15+ minutes long? What do you do? (a) misconnect on original flight, or (b) Jump queue and make earlier flight? I run into this every once and awhile - if I can't get an airline escort, I'll jump queue as politely as I can.