You could rephrase the issue another way:
Are Express lines in supermarkets fair?
Are EZPass lanes at highway tolls fair?

IMHO, these other options exist for the consumer who is quick and efficient in their transaction. Why are ff travelers(who know what to do at checkin & security) considered different?

To quote (or paraphrase--it's been a long time since I read the book) Animal Farm "all animals are created equal...some are more equal"

The bottom line here is that at some point in the near future everyone has to get through the line quickly.

Eventually there's going to be a lawsuit or leisure travelers and frequent travelers who split up their travel between a few airlines are going to stop flying, or fly less, or something else...

The point is, while the special treatment for elites at some airports is good for elites who use those specific airports and have status on those specific airlines, it's not a solution to the problem.

You don't solve the problem with this "solution."

d

I think that when I pay for First Class (whether paid or with miles) I deserve First Class Treatment from the Airline. This starts from the time that I arrive at the "line" for Checkin. If I do not want to pay for First Class, then I have no problem waiting. But if I am paying, I am paying for additional service above and beyond what is considered normal service. This also includes being able to move between the Checkin and the Gate with service above and beyond normal. That is what First Class is all about.

Coming to think of it, with the amount of gold cards I have nowadays I hope to see the first elite lines at the theme park and supermarket real soon http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Disneyland has it already...its called the fastpass http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Without a doubt, yes they are.

Given the new paradigm of government-run security, the question is inevitable.

The answer the airlines have come up with: same security checkpoints but different LINES to get to them is perfect.

While I agree that there should be fast lines for everyone, after being searched for 15 minutes at the stair-line at LAX yesterday morning, I fail to see how a thorough search could be any faster.

Yes.

(Although I agree with the poster that says that the quality should be increased across the board, reducing wait times for all travelers.)

That's exactly it! People here get so fixated on their perks as an "elite" flyer that they forget that someday, they're going to have to fly on an airline that they don't have status on. And then all the status in the world on your preferred airline ain't gonna mean jack. You can be 1K on United, but do you think that American's going to give a flying [expletive deleted] when you have to take them for that one trip to some place where United doesn't go, and vice versa? Oh, sure, I know that people will say, well, just ask for a matching comp on that other airline.

That's fine if you're travelling for a vacation and you've got time to plan ahead. But if you've got a business trip and you've got to be in that non-United city by the end of the week, you ain't got time to play that game. Plus, it only works one time anyway!

Yes, without a doubt.

Let's stop for a moment and ask ourselves, just what in life is truly fair.

Is it fair that the employee with children has less hassle taking time off, and gets more insurance coverage (i.e. greater compensation) than the single employee.

Is it fair that the person that works harder and makes more money is expected to pay a greater percentage of that income to the government, yet the welfare recipient who effectively pays no taxes to the government get the same voice (i.e. vote)?

This is one of the rare times that those of us who contribute more to our society and government can see a tangible benefit. And it's about darn time!

And why is it that everyone "has" to get through the lines quickly? I have yet to hear a viable argument why everyone should be treated equally at the security lines. Yes, everyone should be subject to the same security procedures and inspections, but I don't see how different lines affects the level of security? Lets face it folks, not everyone is treated the same in this world. Those who moan and complain about the elite security lines appear to have accepted the different elite check-in lines. And what about the different check-in lines at the hotels? And what about the car pool lanes?What is the difference? "Perks" are provided to entice people (who have a choice of what they want to do) to do something different, be it fly AA instead of DL, carpool and save our precious resources instead of driving alone, etc. Elite level FFrs don't get a separate security machine or a different level of security scrutiny, just a shorter line.

The airlines value my (frequent) business and so recognize my patronage by providing shorter check-in lines, and by providing me with a shorter line to get to the (government controlled and operated) security machines.

Does (fill in the name of the airline here, AA, UA, DL etc.) necessarily care if an infrequent flyer is pissed off because the check-in line is two hours long. Shorter lines for FF elites are a competitive area, just like how much legroom FFrs get, what type of caviar is served in the F cabin, who gets to board the plane first (and so more than likely never has to worry about overhead bin space), complimentary upgrades, limo transportation to/from airport for premium cabin passengers, etc.

Infrequent travelers know that they have to show up hours and hours before their flight to give themselves enough time to check-in. FFrs know that a perk they have as a result of thier patronage of the specific airline is the ability to show up at the airport a few hours less than Joe Leisure. If I am elite on AA, but decide to use UA (where I am not elite), then I understand that in UA's eyes, I am the same as Joe Leisure. Shorter lines are just another mechanism that the airlines can employ to guarantee my continued loyalty and patronage.

Airlines are a business who, just like all other business, must compete with other companies for their customers. When the day comes that AA is not allowed to compete for my business via FF programs, elite level perks, short check-in lines, upgrades, etc., then they know that I (as will all other frequent travelers) will chose which airline to fly based on price and schedule.

[This message has been edited by onedog (edited 03-12-2002).]

Well put, onedog. And I think recognition of that argument is exactly what caused the review of where in the line "first come, irst serve" begins - which is now in the lane, not the line. As it should be.

I don't have a problem with F and C class pax or elite FF's getting better service than others. On the other hand, I do have a problem with horribly poor service. Anyone, elite or not, who has to spend hours waiting in line (check-in or security) is getting horrible service, and that sucks.

MDTony, I feel your pain, man, I really do. When you need to go to Baton Rouge or Biloxi, do what I do and fly into New Orleans, spend the night, then rent a car and drive (or if the hang over it TOO bad, take one of those shuttle vans either direction) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif