I frequent EWR and today @ C1 security they decided to remove Elite Access forcing anyone with Elite Access to go to C2 Security which of course was overfilled and then I went to C3 where the line was manageable but, they were not enforcing Elite Access. It seems there is a consistent service failure at EWR and I think there should be a mini-do / fix-it event with some of us Flyertalkser's who are often at EWR and whoever is in charge which would include Continental, Airport, and TSA. I am willing to bet that within a few hours of speaking with those in charge and showing them the problems there would be a significant improvement. I would be willing to spend my time. Who else would and do you think Continental would be willing to help put this small fix-it event together?

My only real complaint with EWR (although many people seem to dread flying through there) is the security checkpoint. A necessary evil when flying international back into the US.

Immigration, customs, baggage claim (at customs) -- even the bag guys that recheck your bag -- kudos. Security line -- frequently a point of frustration. Very often only one or two scanners/xray lines open.

Last wed C-1 was the checkpoint with the least amount of people, the elite line was virtually empty.

Couldn't you just use the regular line at C1? I find that the regular security lines are often as quick as the EliteAccess lines. On Thanksgiving Wednesday, we just went in the regular line (C2) because it was less walking, about the same # of people as EA, and more TSA agents, so it moved faster. No more than 5-10 minutes through the entire thing.

This was my experience on Monday. C-2 is usually a zoo because that's where the AirTrain dumps out.

I almost never originate at EWR - I change planes - but I've always wondered why they don't just make one checkpoint Elite / Business First only given the number of complaints and threads on this topic.

At EWR 6pm on Saturday after Thanksgiving. Elite line short, but only one belt/x-ray machine. General line longer, but 5 machines going. Elite sat there, while General line went really fast, even on such a busy travel day.

Thats all well and good and I often use the regular line as well if it appears shorter but there are times that the lines are so ridiculous at EWR especially C2. Seeing as Terminal C is all CO and its one of CO's major hubs I dont see any reason to ever not have an EA lane at all three checkpoints.

Well, maybe the carpet was being cleaned.

The regular C1 Line went out of the ropes and back 3 times.

A very interesting idea this would be something to discuss with Continental. Maybe using C2 as elite and centralizing elite checkin with international on top and domestic in the middle and then having regular checkin on the 2 sides.

Yet another problem the point of the elite line is to have less of a wait then non elite as either you are in first or are an elite and give plenty of money to CO. When they try and equal the speeds of the lines they are destroying the benefit.

There is no requirement that the one line must use the belt/WTMD on that side. :-:

Of course, that doesn't help when the people at the front won't move over and you're stuck way far behind them but I've always picked the shortest line to the TDC person and then reassess the shortest line after that. Seems to work out pretty well for me most of the time.

As for dedicating one section, MSP does that but they also have more checkpoints. Still, it works pretty well there. I do know that there are some issues with the hours that the TSA staffs the various sections both visible and underground where bags are scanned and that affects how CO has to flow passengers through. You'd think that they'd be able to work something out but thus far it hasn't happened so much.

lol ok well in that case its ok

They used to have a checkpoint dedicated to Elite Access way back when but I think they changed over to the current scheme based on the needs of the TSA to open/close/staff individual checkpoints on the TSA schedule rather than CO's desired schedule.

Here's what kills me about the gatekeepers at EWR checkpoints:

When the elite line gets small or non-exisitent, they wave regular fliers into it. Now, they probably think they are doing some people a favor and keeping the lines shorter and why should I be so uppity about use of that line when its empty, elitist that I obviously am?

Because when the elite line is empty, all of the TSA checkers are available for the regular line, which makes the regular line move FASTER. When they move regular fliers over to the elite line, they are essentially screwing over all the rest of the regular fliers who happened to arrive at the line before them and who would have enjoyed the benefit of a faster moving line. Even though the checkers stand there all day long, they are unable to comprehend the logic of this -- that if the elite line is empty and the regular line is long, the excess capacity at the front will shorten the regular line faster than moving people over.

^ exactly. It never fails to surprise me how people don't "get" this. I see it at EWR all the time - there could be 20 people waiting for the belt that was directly in front of them and 3-4 around them that stand almost empty. Luckily the TSA in EWR are actually pretty good at spotting this and herding people in the right direction.