<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Eliminating the priority security lines could be a blow to the airlines, most of which are struggling financially and are scrambling to hold on to their most profitable customers, many of whom have opted not to fly to avoid the hassles of the longer security lines.

Several frequent fliers were outraged by the news. "The only reason I retain my premier executive status is to rely on those lines," said international business consultant James Glucksman, of the law firm Hogan & Hartson.</font>