Originally Posted by SchmeckFlyer
In short... the elite line should stay that way. It is after all for the frequent fliers, the high revenue pax, and those who practically live in the air. But I see no harm in allowing people to use it if they are running late. Fair use of course.
The thing that make me go

is the not-so-frequent-flyers who don't understand how quickly things can actually move in the "regular" line and how much time they actually have to catch their plane.
I generally take the same flights every week for months at a time. While I admit to enjoying small pleasures in life, the following scenerio gives me tremendous satisfaction:
I'm waiting patiently in line (any line; baggage check, security, etc.) for my flight that is leaving at 6:40. It is now 6:05. A person with too many bags and disheveled clothing rushes up to the line completely out of breath.
"Oh My! Can I cut in here? My flight is boarding!!!
My.Flight.is.Boarding!!!!! Oh the humanity!"
So, being the friendly and relaxed traveller that I am, and knowing I have plenty of time to spare, allow this poor-planner ahead of me in line. They go through the line and rush off to their departing airplane. I continue my leisurely stroll through security an onto the gate where my boarding row is being called as I arrive. I board, stow my carryons and settle into my seat.
A few minutes later a passenger taps my shoulder; "Excuse me, I'm in the window there, can I sneak by?". Looking up, I see its my old, poor-planning friend from the security line. "Guess you made it in time, eh?" I say.