Originally Posted by
exerda
I overheard one guy trying to justify to his protesting companion why they were entitled to use the premium line. "Well, I'm sure I'm premium, anyway." (I could see a big ZONE 4 on his UA BP, too.) And I've seen others "rationalize" the line poaching with such stuff as, "I was an elite two years ago," etc. And the ID checkers just let them walk on by with nary a comment...

The only rationalization required is the fact that all passengers pay the same security fee, regardless of airline status. The government should not be in the business of helping the airlines improve their loyalty programs (unless the airlines pay the TSA an extra fee for each person in the elite line).
n.b.: I'm "elite" and use the lines, so I'm arguing against my own interests, as well as a hypocrite for using elite lines.