I often default to the multi-airline elite line or the "skyway" checkpoint at MSP. What I do decide to do does largely depend on the day and time and on my luggage situation.

I go through SP line all the time when Precheck is long. I get the three beeps and proceed. They have never made me go over to Precheck.

Last week when I was in MSP the Pre-check line was twice as long as the SP line. I debated switching but I was not in a hurry so I decided to stay put so I would not have to deal with shoes and electronic equipment. Still, over 20 minutes for Pre-check is a a little ridiculous.

This would be such an easy fix. right now at checkpoint 4 they have 2 lines for TSA-Pre and 1 for SP. Just change it to 1 line for regular TSA-Pre and 2 for SP. In the SP line, split that off to either regular security or TSA-Pre if you get the 3 beeps.

Half the reason TSA-Pre line is so long is because non-elite travelers don't know the rules and end up slowing the whole line down.

The TSA has said it wants the vast majority of passengers to be eventually eligible for PreCheck screening -- given DHS/TSA doublespeak that could mean either a possible recipient of PreCheck LLL outcomes in terms of at-airport physical screening or it could mean merely that the TSA has subjected them to PreCheck computer checks. Either way expect massive numbers of such passengers to be exposed to how PreCheck "works". The days of PreCheck being a fast track for a small minority of passengers are relatively numbered. Already all pre-teens are eligible for PreCheck, whether they get it or use it or not; that should make MCO a fun place. ;)

IMO the MSP airport TSA security situation seriously deteriorated when checkpoint 4 ceased to be for elites only. Now it seems that they're constantly experimenting with the line configuration there. I hope the all airlines elite lane remains a bit of a secret.

BTW, is there currently PreCheck at the skyway security checkpoint? I largely stopped using it when the nude-o-scopes were installed there and slowed down the processing, plus you're at risk of a gaggle of crew members arriving and using their front of the line privileges.

The situation at MSP is terrible, it used to be pretty good. My last 4 flights, I have had to wait at least 10 minutes and as much as 40 to get through. The person checking credentials for the SP line let a guy bring 14 people through with him, in which none of them had status, and none were flying first class. She questioned him, and he said they were all flying together. The line for TSA Pre Check is 5 times longer, filled with Blue Hairs that are wondering what they are doing, and causing it to take longer for each person. This week, I heard a blue hair telling her husband that he needs to take off his shirt before he goes through the metal detector, I got a good laugh at that. Sad thing was TSA was telling him to leave his shoes on, and he spent 5 minutes taking them off anyway.

I actually find it faster to go down to the United area and use the Elite line their, usually only 1-5 people in front of me. (Maybe I should have kept that to myself).

IMO the current situation at MSP is frustrating partly due to its randomness. I've faced waits between a minute and an hour there during the last several months, with no clear pattern. Previously there were a few bad times (such as very early Monday/Thursday/Friday morning or Saturday for most of the day when families travel) when lines were slightly longer, but it was still predictable.

When I flew out Monday morning the SKY lane was much shorter than pre. I heard many three beeps and many people saying that they would rather take the short line.

I imagine I would do the same even if I had pre check. A shorter line of people that probably now how the theater works will almost always be faster than the random people that get pre check now a days.

I've been starting to always look for these setups in airports where the SkyPriority lanes don't have nude-o-scopes. When they do, I'm more likely to pick the longer PreCheck lane.

I actually like the new way it's setup. It used to be the same line for Pre-Check and Sky Priority, if you got the three beeps you'd go into your own little screning line (which is now what they are using for SP) and if you didn't get three beeps you'd go merge in with the General population. That would be awful for non pre check people because you'd make it to the BP checker guy quick, but the lanes for the scanners were terribly long.

Now the SP lane is completely dedicated without any general population and the last few times I've used it I've been through in less than a couple minutes.

They recently moved the TSA-precheck line to a different area; this is the whole reason for this post. Delta agents at the SP check-in areas will often tell you that it was recently moved--Delta know its annoying but that they allegedly had no control over it.

I know there was a reason for it, but it wasn't something I committed to memory as I've never qualified for Pre-check since apparently I hit PM and then DM by the time the TSA stopped giving those away like candy.

Could you clarify this statement for me? (Don't know anything about the United security lines.) Is it that you have United Elite status and that's how you can use their elite line or are implying that your Delta status somehow gets you into another elite line besides the SP line? And you're not talking about another PreCheck line are you (since I thought there is only one PreCheck point at MSP)?

It is not just for United. There is an elite line for all non Sky Team airlines in the Lindberg terminal. When you are facing the ticket counters, it is the line all the way to the right, the farthest down. United as well as American and other airlines elites use this line. Delta medallions (including silver in my experience) can also use this.

It's an elite and premium cabin passenger line operated by the airport for all airlines in terminal 1. SkyTeam flights aren't excluded. If you're Sky Priority or confirmed in FC or business class on DL flights, you are eligible to use either elite line. In fact, recently when the PreCheck and SkyPriority lines were very bad, a DL redcoat suggested that I use the other elite line, which was also in the direction of my gate.