Originally Posted by goodeats21

With apologies for bumping up an old thread....

As a UA 1K, I am taking a rare CO trip out of Newark. While approaching security screen area for C gates, the rent-a-staff manning the ropes was actively directing "elite access" to the non-elite side, saying quite emphatically "this way is MUCH quicker". He didn't lie. I stepped over to the non-elite side and was through much faster.

While I didn't catch all the details, the reaction and contempt displayed by the lady in front of me was something to see. I think she might have actually paid $ for the "elite access" in some form and was not amused by the lack of value received for her purchase.

I have been loudly bemoaning the degradation of experiential benefits for the upper level elites. Everything from check-in, security, boarding, etc. But I have to say, even I feel sorry for someone poor unknowing soul that was duped into paying money for what has been turned into a joke of a benefit.