Originally Posted by
ralfp
All fliers, on average, pay the same fee per screening suffered. I seriously doubt that frequent fliers make more connections than infrequent fliers (mileage runners aren't that common).
I wouldn't be so sure of that. Frequent fliers may, due to program loyalty, be much more likely to choose connecting flights on airlines with which they have status over nonstops on those which they do not, whereas for Ma and Pa Kettle it is likely the opposite. Perhaps not a huge difference--maybe not an extra $5 per screening for frequent fliers--but still a difference nonetheless. There are also those who qualify on segments rather than miles and who may choose a connection even when a nonstop is available, which is almost never going to be the case for infrequent fliers.
And, I'd argue that comparing it on a per-screening basis does a disservice to the amount of revenue generated by frequent fliers on many levels.
Originally Posted by
ralfp
The government should not reward moderately frequent fliers (25k-50k miles/year) for picking flights based on airline loyalty instead of price. Elite treatment at security lines discourages competition for this market (I speak from experience).
The government should not be enforcing airline competition at the security checkpoint.