Well, it's different in two ways -

First, all of the highway tollbooth devices I'm familar with cost next to nothing - for $25 you can get an EZPass tag with a $25 balance on it (no charge for the device). You can't argue that that is anywhere near the same as flying a mimimum of 25,000 miles; especially since there's no way of making that free.

Second, the toll tags speed up the process of collecting the toll. In my experience, elites have been no better at preparing to go through the metal detector and have their bags x-rayed than non-elites. They all just show up at the magnetometer with an "Oh, I have to go through this security thing?" look and then start emptying pockets, taking jackets off, etc. Furthermore, elites travel with as much carry-on luggage as is possible. The true equivalent of the toll tag system would be a line for people with no carry-ons.


I'm flying US on Saturday because AA doesn't fly the route I need. I'm glad there won't be an elite line over there, because I don't have any status on US (though I do on AA).

I'd prefer that we all get through in 10 minutes or less, when the alternative is US elites getting through in a few minutes and me and everyone else without status wasting 2 hours.

I also like the ability to choose my airline based on price, service, and routes. I don't want the government to tie my hands by offering elite only lines, so that I feel like I can only fly AA, or suffer the 2 hour security line on other airlines.

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