If the airlines were paying for the security and running it, then yes, it would make sense -- and be a perfectly valid business decision -- to have "elite" security lines to reward their best customers.

However, if the government is running it...AND if everyone pays the same amount of "security surcharge" -- then the argument for elite lines is far less compelling.

If the government security model followed the airline passenger model, the "first class security" folks could choose to pay (say) $20-30 for the privilege of a very short line, and that would subsidize the other travelers, who would pay little or nothing BUT had the choice to pay more for special treatment if they wanted it. But the model is way different.

The argument for stopping the overkillish hysteric nonsense and making it more reasonable for *everyone* to fly, though, makes perfect sense.