Originally Posted by
El Cochinito
There is an entire branch of mathematics devoted to queuing theory and the optimization of queue management. The data necessary to drive optimization algorithms for checkpoint setup and staffing is certainly available to the TSA. Whether or not they have anybody in that organization that can do something with it is up for speculation.
I still vividly remember a class in queuing theory that I took years ago as an undergrad in engineering school. Fascinating stuff but it made my head hurt then (and now!).
The thing about queueing theory is this: queuing theory works to optimize throughput versus cost
in the aggregate. At any single point in time, an observer might see a long line, or an empty line. Over time, however, queueing theory tries to minimize both of those items versus any other unmanaged strategy.
Which is why it's terribly hard to respond to a single datapoint, like the one offered by the OP.