Originally Posted by SlickRick
I could take EVERY type of establishment that we all spend money at (and stand in a line) and make ALL of the same arguments that posters are making here regarding having priority lines for frequent customers.
How about the grocery store? From the store's viewpoint, wouldn't it make sense to reward its best customers with priority lines? The more you spend at that store the higher your status.
It would and, in fact, many do reward high-volume customers with a variety of bonuses.
Take the argument that FFers know the procedures better and move through the screening quicker than infrequent flyers. Wouldn't shoppers that regularly go to a store know that store's procedures better? How about at the self-checkout counters?
Sorry, but that's simply silly. What "procedures" does one need to know to check out efficiently? Grocery stores
do, however, have express lanes for those with only a few items, as well as cash-only lanes so that other customers aren't held up while customers write checks or have credit card charges processed. Banks have separate lines for commercial depositors -- their business is usually transacted quickly. It's exactly the same principle.
As I said above, you could use this comparison with EVERY business establishment - the post office (as other posters have used), grocery stores, fast food restaurants, department stores, delicatessans, auto repair shops, etc. Imagine if fast food restaurants implemented a "frequent dining" program?
I'm not particularly familiar with fast-food restaurants. However, a number of the lunch places near my office have "frequent dining" programs -- you get a card punched each time you buy lunch, and after a number of punches you get a free meal.
I see you don't list any FF programs in your identification. Is it because you don't have status with any of the airlines?
I really don't understand your objection to elite lines for TSA (other than the unfortunate use of the term, "elite"). Airlines,
like virtually every other business reward their best customers in a variety of ways. What's wrong with that?