robvberg: You are correct.

On top of all the fees you mentioned, the Transportation Security Act requires the airlines to pay to the TSA this year the same amount of money as they spent on security last year. On top of the $2.50 segment tax collected from us.

If the airlines are still paying for the security checkpoints (and they are), then the airlines should have the final say over how long I wait in line.

If it makes the bureaucrats happy, the current setup with elite lines leading to common metal detectors is ok with me.