mersk862

I seem to recall dedicated PreCheck lines at both LAX/FLL when I've flown through in the past few weeks. At least, I had to show a line guardian my PreCheck BP to be let into a dedicated line that fed right into Pre. The TDC was checking both non-Pre Check and Pre people, but they were feeding from seperate lines.

jsmith50

At LAX, when you come up the escalator to the security checkpoint in Terminal 5, there is a sign that says Pre Check/Sky Priority to the right that winds back behind those columns (for lack of a better description). I've never been separated further into a Pre Check versus general elite line at LAX, though it is generally a very short line. Maybe I'm missing something...

indufan

Whoever said they were exclusive benefits. It is a real stretch to say this is eliminating benefits. Where is the evidence of a "majority of us" think this is a bad idea?
So, if an airport doesn't physically allow for a dedicated commuter terminal, should that take a "shuttle" out of the realm of possibility?

MS02113

Meh. The Delta Shuttle operation consists of four routes and six airports. Allowing Shuttle passengers access to the SkyPriority security queue at five of those airports hardly constitutes a degradation of elite benefits considering the breadth of the domestic network. For the record, I'm based at a Shuttle airport (BOS).

Delta markets the Shuttle as a premium product, so Shuttle customers aren't "regular" customers.

High frequency alone does not a Shuttle route make. Suggesting that all passengers on high-frequency routes be granted SkyPriority access is a ridiculous leap in logic.

At airports with dedicated PreCheck queues (e.g., BOS), the TSA document checker often permits ineligible passengers to cut the SkyPriority queue rather than sending them to the back of the line. It seems the best solution is to position the scanner at the entrance to the PreCheck queue. Passengers who don't receive three beeps would be redirected to the SkyPriority or general security queue as appropriate. The printed PreCheck designation on boarding passes wouldn't be enough to police the PreCheck queue, as agent-sourced boarding passes don't yet carry the PreCheck symbol.

Orion

This amenity may prove so popular that Delta has to upgrade the aircraft to wide bodies like the B744, at which time this amenity will have to be pulled.

readywhenyouare

Well, up until now Sky Priority was a service provided only to Delta's first/business class customers and Medallion members.

Go back and read my post. I didn't say the majority think this specific move is a bad idea. I said "The majority of us here don't enjoy seeing the benefits we once enjoyed being eliminated." Do you disagree with that statement? I have never observed anyone here being thrilled over the numerous enhancements save for a few apologists.

cmd320

I just think it's ridiculous that a non-status Shuttle passenger on an $80 LUTXV fare will use the SP lane while a non-status passenger on a $1300 transcon M fare will stand in the general line. What is so important about Shuttle pax?

MS02113

False. Shuttle passengers have long had access to SkyPriority security queues at BOS, DCA, and ORD. (Because Shuttle flights operate out of a dedicated terminal at LGA, there is no need for a SkyPriority queue there.)

Two of the Shuttle's selling points are reduced minimum check-in and boarding times. SkyPriority access facilitates these features. Ticket price is irrelevant.

AlwaysFlyStar

SkyPriority is not simply a Delta thing. It is a SkyTeam thing. All ElitePlus and SkyTeam business and first customers have access to SkyPriority benefits on any SkyTeam airline.

Minos

There should not be any special security lane for government services.

MAH4546

For what it's worth, Delta carries so little local traffic between these two cities, it doesn't matter.

theYipster

Allowing all Shuttle passengers into Sky Priority makes sense if we consider the history of the Shuttle brand (in terms of the original LGA-BOS, LGA-DCA Shuttle operated by Eastern and Pam Am.... now Delta and US Airways.)

Consider that until relatively recently:
- The Shuttle was single class (coach with decent leg-room)
- The Shuttle did have premium amenities in coach
- The Shuttle guaranteed availability for all passengers at all departure times*

* What this meant was that if there were 100 seats on the 3PM to National, and you--the 101st passenger--needed to be on that 3PM flight, the airline would roll out a second aircraft just for you departing at 3:15pm. This wasn't theoretical. These were called "extra sections" and they happened fairly regularly.

The Shuttle was absolutely designed as a premium product squarely for business passengers who could use the service like a commuter train. No need to buy a ticket ahead of time... Show up at the airport 20 minutes before your flight, buy your ticket, and board your plane. Even today, while most flights close check-in 30 minutes before departure, the Shuttles close at T-15, and there are still companies through corporate card arrangements that support walk-up fares and use of the shuttle like it were a commuter train.

Now the Shuttle is two class and there are no more extra sections. LAX doesn't have the infrastructure for a dedicated Shuttle departure terminal (like LGA) or gate area (like BOS) with their own security lines, but if they are trying to recreate the east coast Shuttle experience, Sky Priority is the least they can do.

indufan

You are taking your own quote out of context. Clearly, that is what you said as I can read. But the context was that this is one of those benefits that you believe falls into this category. I, and I don't believe a majority of the posters here (but I can't speak for them just as you can't), don't think it does.

Why should first/business class customers get it if it is an exclusive Medallion benefit?

bennos

LAX seems to be reconfigured every time I pass through. The latest is that Pre-√ and SP stay together at the top of the escalators, then proceed together to the entrance to that side queue room. At that point, Pre-√ stays to the right and follows the wall while SP snakes back and forth.

readywhenyouare

First and business class passengers have always been given priority services as far back as I can remember. They have paid quite a premium for their ticket and so I feel they are entitled to these benefits. Just as I also have no problem with first/business class passengers having access to the Skyclub on certain routes even though I'm a paid member.