A big perk would be a special line just for elites and full fare coach pax travelling domestically. This would be practical in all larger airports that have a lot of elites and would be a big benefit these days.

Any thoughts?

Clearly, the airlines are in serious trouble, and if BIZ flyers do not return in big numbers, some carriers will be forced liquidate/consolidate soon. I think the perception of long lines at the airport is a major barrier to the BIZ flyer returning, and so I think adopting your suggestion would help.

There has NEVER been a better time to be clutching an Elite card and standing at the line with 3 people in front of you while the coach line has 300. Why seperate security? Has anyone experienced a longer than usual delay on Elite lines as it is?

If the airlines are looking for a way to p/o the passengers they have not p/o'd so far, a separate security line would do so. Even the perception of one group having a "different" security system would trigger quite a few emotional responses in today's atmosphere.

The answer is to create a system similar to the PASS system used to cross the US-Canadian border where you pay for the privilege. Clubs & Lounges could either incorporate or subsidize the cost with the membership fees.

I agree with runningshoes about the p/o factor, but I think the idea has merit.

I second this idea, though at some airports with a lot of different security checkpoints (e.g. DFW) it might not be so feasible.

It also might be difficult to implement for practical reasons (e.g. training the DEN people to recognize credentials from every single airline).

Perhaps a single uniform credential could be identified and the airlines could give permanent ones to their elite members, single day ones to high fare pax.

I seem to recall seeing separate security lines for first/biz pax in some European airports.

I think that when I was in LHR I had an orange dot put on my boarding card that let me in through a different line. This could work.

It's called Fast Track. PEople flying out in Business Class, or an airline special customers can go through FAst Track and stay away from the "masses".

How about something similar to the FastTrack program that is used for immigration control at British airports?

You are given a sticker on your boarding pass that allows you to move through the "fast" line if you have a business or first class ticket. The airlines could also place them on boarding passes of their Elite members at check-in.

It would mean having to check in at the elite line before going to security instead of at a club lounge, but you would be exchanging an extremely long wait in the security line for two relatively short waits.

It could possibly be set up so you could get your boarding pass from an e-ticket check-in machine (where you're still allowed to use them), and just have it verified and a sticker placed at an express ID line.

I would consider a elite security line to be a similar perk to priority checkin and that it would be greatly welcomed if security lines continue to grow.

Most of the terrorists were flying on one way first class tickets. Thus, if we are proposing separate lines for first and business class passengers, they would have gone through those lines.

Djlawman

I probably should know better than to make a comment post-migraine, but what they should have is a checkpoint for people with no carry-ons, only small tote bags.

The delays I've encountered are from guards going through every inch of the two-plus carry-ons some people insist on carrying.

I have a feeling checking bags is safer than ever----with such stringent security, I doubt many are winding up in the wrong place.

Richard-
I liked the idea initially, but then I thought how we are all better off being treated eqally with regard to security.

In terms of probabilities, how probable is it that a potential hijacker would have achieved PremEx or 1K status?