I flew back to IAD last week... I was on my way to pick up my bag and noticed there is an "expert" security lane down near carousel 7. I looked for information about it and found none (here and the IAD website). Is this a way to bypass the throngs upstairs at the security lines near check-in?

Thanks

Probably worth moving to the Washington DC forum, but I walk by that security checkpoint all the time. It's rarely busy, but I've never been sure who's eligible to use it. I will check today, on my way there now.

You are probably right about the forum change.

See what you can learn. I did see similar signage (expert signs with the little logo looking thing) at Louisville that same day. As a matter of fact I used the expert lane at L'ville. My guess is that anyone can use it... I just didn't know there was one at IAD!

Did they look like these signs?

http://www.futuregringo.com/index.ph...s-at-security/

They were implemented in Salt Lake and Denver earlier this year. Now that I think of it I've really never even paid attention to them in the 5-6 times I've passed through DEN security. I just go to whatever line is shortest - oh and already appears to be "expert" by the people in line. i.e. suits and light luggage vs families and strollers. I wrote this up about them:

If you�re a seasoned travel how many times have you fidgeted in frustration behind a novice who can�t seem to empty that last pocket of change? They�re just not sure what to keep on person versus shove through the x-ray, and have a way of slowing down the entire que.

Likewise if you�re traveling with a large group or family, have some special items for screening, or just need some breathing room admist the crush it can be overwhelming to have pushy business travelers and light packers getting antsy behind you.

�The idea is to let passengers determine - based on their experience and needs - which lane is more appropriate,� Harmon said Sunday.

This is what you saw

http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles

"Dulles Diamond" Checkpoint Now Open
A new checkpoint to speed experienced adult travelers through the security screening process is now open. The checkpoint is downstairs on the Arrivals Level of the Main Terminal.

This new service will also help to reduce wait times at the Main Passenger Screening Checkpoint.

Please note the traveler criteria for using these lanes:

Expert adult traveler (2 or more trips per month)
Traveling alone
Up to one carry-on item
Security ready (3-1-1 for liquids/gels, laptops out of the case, shoes off)
Families, passengers traveling with children, pets, and other passengers with special needs should use the Main Passenger Screening Checkpoint on the ticketing level of the Main Terminal. Employees, including Flight Crew, must continue to use the Employee Screening Checkpoint.

smassey22180 - yes that would be it! Interesting that I looked, and read, that diamond box when I was on their website and it didn't click. I must be too tired today.

Thanks for highlighting it and providing the link.

Looks like mine (in SLC and DEN) was the one implemented by the TSA, and the Dulles one is local.

Definitely a great option for biz travelers that don't have CLEAR. Walked by it yesterday during afternoon rush hour and there was one person entering the line. Upstairs was its usual madhouse.

Maybe it will work until it gets popular, but after that self-selection schemes seldom work.

Discusssed in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=833511

IAD has the black diamond setup really well because
1)its far away from the other lanes, keeping the kettles away
2)they don't even advertise it as security, just the "dulles diamond" signs, further keeping the kettles away

I was there on a busy Saturday in the summer, the folks upstairs were trying to send us downstairs to it but there weren't many folks ahead of us (especially in the non-elite que) and I had no desire to join the masses down there in the small screening area. Got through the main one in 5 minutes.

Black Diamond is on the baggage claim level; not upstairs where the Kettles will be checking in their luggage.

Road warriors who have check in for their flight at home/office can avoid going upstairs.

I've yet to go through the diamond lines without seeing clear occasiona/first timers ahead of me in line. It's a bogus play on the part of TSA to have "their' way over the airport offering of the premium security lines.

I've now had at least two IAD trips where the premium security on the DL side of the building was closed and the other line was overflowing. They are forcing the elites to the regular line or to go downstairs.

My preference is to use the premium security upstairs as I don't want to see those lines removed. The diamond stop is when they close down the premium line and its a crush upstairs.

A couple of times in the last two months, TSA decided to make EVERYONE trying to go through security go downstairs to that diamond area, but they didn't tell anybody where it was. The small signs are easy to miss, and the Information staff at the desk at the bottom of the escalators had to direct people to it. The diamond area wasn't set up to handle the masses. After finally getting through it, you had to go back upstairs to get to the gates. Ugh.

Justlurking, its contractors sending folks downstairs. They have no authrority, just tell them you want the main line and walk ahead...