Will We Lose Elite Security Lines?

When the federal government takes over responsibility next month for airport security screening, top frequent fliers may wind up back at the end of long lines.

Officials at major U.S. carriers responded to the frustrations of their best fliers following the increased security measures since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In November, most of the airlines began offering special security lines for passengers with elite status in frequent-flier programs...

But that valve may be sealed on Feb. 17, when the newly formed Transportation Services Administration assumes responsibility for airport security screening. Airline officials decline to comment about the prospects for continuing elite lines past this date, except to say that they are working with the government to ease the transition.

http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/...3667000520.htm

If the airlines are still "paying" for the screening, wouldn't they still reserve the right to dictate who goes through which lines?

All travelers (not airlines) will pay the same $2.50 fee. If the airlines want to continue the elite lines, the only legitimate way would be for them to pay the government more money on behalf of us.

d

I would expect that's how the arrangement at airports like LHR work both for security and fastrack immigration lines.

At LHR, first/premium/business class passengers have to pay significantly higher taxes (even on award tickets). That's what justifies the premium security treatment.

d

I can't access this article. What does it say?

I agree completely. The long line issue is a huge problem for frequent business travellers, and IMO if the airlines lose this option it will only spell more trouble and less business flying.

As I suspected, I was quoted in this article.

Thanks for the info doc.

I am quoted too -- thanks for bringing it to FTers attention doc

ALL the thanks should surely go to "wigstheone" who actually posted it!

Not to get off on a very Omni tangent or seem like I'm flaming anyone, but since when has the following been true with respect to government services in America:

Dollars in = services out

It mystifies me that people believe this. It should be obvious that very few pay disproportionately more than they receive in a whole range of government "services". There is no way to extract "legitimacy" from any of this.

Well, one of the people who is going to be in charge of the government security screening was quoted last month as saying something to the effect of, "I don't see how we could offer any preferential treatment to certain passengers. Everyone will be paying the same fee, so the government can't discriminate for or against anyone."

The gist was, as I said, that since we all pay the same fee, we all get the same services. If the airlines don't kick in extra money for elites, and the elites don't pay more than the standard $2.50 fee, there's no justification for the federal government to discriminate for elites and against other citizens. Elite status is conferred by the airlines, private companies.

The minute the feds start discriminating in the security lines without justification (i.e. more money), ever civil rights group will be filing suit in federal court.

With the exception of INSPASS (which is a trusted traveler program, not an elite program), tell me one situation where everyone pays the government the same fee, but some get better/faster service. I've never seen it at the post office or DMV. Or, explain to me how the government could justify discriminating for "elite" flyers, without any additional money being involved.

d

If I had lived at my adress for more than two years, I could have filed my taxes via phone or the internet. Instead, I had to mail my my taxes in which meant my refund came slower.

This isn't fair to people who move around alot.

You would think that at $2.50 a pop ($5 if not exiting security in the connection), there would be no need to have segregated queues by status, because there shouldn't be any waiting.

$40,000 a year salary+benefits is $20 an hour. Let's say two security people per queue, that's $40 an hour. $2.50 will buy you 3.75 minutes of screening per passenger (lap babies excluded).

So, it's basically another tax.

Not a bean counter but there's also cost of equipment such as x-ray, metal detector, wand, uniform etc, plus administrative overhead. So $2.50 may buy you a minute?