At the main checkpoint 4, near the DL Skypriority counters in MSP, there are two lines. The main line is for TSA Precheck, which apparently not very particular or very difficult a very difficult status to obtain, because the line is very long most of the time. It seems that nearly everyone qualifies. Interestingly, when you check in at the Sky Prioirty counter or drop a bag, the line up or rat runs dumps you into the non - TSA Precheck line. If you want to get toT TSA Precheck, you have to walk out again and down to a much longer line. So DL is dumping its best customers into the 'take off your shoes' line and everyone else is going to the easy line. As I stood there, nearly everyone in the SP line got the three beeps and could have been Precheck.

Why is DL sending its best customers either unintentionally through the most natural foot traffic pattern or pushing elites to the regular line because the line is so much shorter? Yes, the elite travelers are much more adept at the old routine which keeps the standard line moving. Plus the PreCheck line is filled with individuals who in many cases appear to be unclear on either the old or the new process.

Interestingly enough today in Palm Springs, the same thing existed so I chose to bypass the much longer TSA Precheck line, filled with slower, less experienced travellers for the shorter old routine line. When i got to the TSA agent, she told me I was Precheck and immediately walked me over to the Precheck line.I said I was fine to go to the shorter old routine line. No chance, i was in the WRONG line and I needed to do Precheck no matter what. Wouldn't it be my choice to use either in that case?

Am I missing something here?