Inane DIA security lines
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: DIA
Programs: UAL 1k, FTR Summit
Posts: 35
Inane DIA security lines
I live in CO and am Summit with Frightier and 1K with Untied, so I am quite familiar with most security lines at DIA. The Premium Passenger document check lines have never been 'aligned' with the 'expert traveler' screening lines(black vs blue vs green). In other words, once you've had your docs checked, the expert line is ALWAYS on the complete far opposite side of the area...makes no sense to me...all premium passengers by definition are expert. I finally decided to just bring this to someone's attention(just amazed that no one notices this after all this time, and they DO NOT rotate or switch alignments around). I go up to a TSA supervisor with a smile on my face and am very polite, but he had no idea what I was talking about, and actually said "I'm a government employee". I shut down, said thank you, and walked away once more defeated. He did say the airlines have influence over doc check line placements, but once you've passed thru, it's gov territory.
Anybody with a sane reason why it's done this way? Certainly, a premium passenger can walk over(thru various other lines of grandma's, baby strollers and tired skiiers), but why not be efficient....just move the expert sign!!!
Anybody with a sane reason why it's done this way? Certainly, a premium passenger can walk over(thru various other lines of grandma's, baby strollers and tired skiiers), but why not be efficient....just move the expert sign!!!
#2




Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
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Because the TSA has long had contempt for any "premium traveler" or "trusted traveler" or "expert traveler".
Remember that they have made the marked Diamond line at IAD into the designated wheelchair line.
Remember that they have made the marked Diamond line at IAD into the designated wheelchair line.
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Countdown to those posters that feel that these premium FF benefits are illegal violations of equal access in 3...2....1...
#4
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Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
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I live in CO and am Summit with Frightier and 1K with Untied, so I am quite familiar with most security lines at DIA. The Premium Passenger document check lines have never been 'aligned' with the 'expert traveler' screening lines(black vs blue vs green). In other words, once you've had your docs checked, the expert line is ALWAYS on the complete far opposite side of the area...makes no sense to me...all premium passengers by definition are expert. I finally decided to just bring this to someone's attention(just amazed that no one notices this after all this time, and they DO NOT rotate or switch alignments around). I go up to a TSA supervisor with a smile on my face and am very polite, but he had no idea what I was talking about, and actually said "I'm a government employee". I shut down, said thank you, and walked away once more defeated. He did say the airlines have influence over doc check line placements, but once you've passed thru, it's gov territory.
Anybody with a sane reason why it's done this way? Certainly, a premium passenger can walk over(thru various other lines of grandma's, baby strollers and tired skiiers), but why not be efficient....just move the expert sign!!!
Anybody with a sane reason why it's done this way? Certainly, a premium passenger can walk over(thru various other lines of grandma's, baby strollers and tired skiiers), but why not be efficient....just move the expert sign!!!
I noticed last week that DEN is reconfiguring the A security checkpoint. They removed the moving walkways, and have started to reconfigure the line arrangement.. Perhaps they will fix your problem...
However, I find that it is pretty easy to walk fifty feet to the expert line, rather than trying to talk sense into TSA...
#5
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#7
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I noticed last week that DEN is reconfiguring the A security checkpoint. They removed the moving walkways, and have started to reconfigure the line arrangement.. Perhaps they will fix your problem...
Premium and expert lanes were aligned to the right side of the Concourse A checkpoint last time I went through a few weeks ago.
#8
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,034
In the north and south "security" checkpoints in the main terminal, they moved the Clear lines (before I get pummeled; I know they're not there anymore) to the opposite ends of the lines because people in the premium lines were getting verbally confrontational to the Clear folks.
For the past few years, it seemed the checkpoint configuration changed almost weekly.
What doesn't help nowadays is to consistently see empty checkpoints and empty ID podiums. DEN frequently has to stop the ID checking process because the line to the checkpoints reaches the ID podiums.
#9
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+1. I often use Concourse A security even when traveling on UA or DL.
They've been working on the removal of the last section of moving walkways (closest to the checkpoint) for a while. It became necessary post 9/11 because of occasional crowding of the checkpoint - just now being fixed.
Premium and expert lanes were aligned to the right side of the Concourse A checkpoint last time I went through a few weeks ago.
They've been working on the removal of the last section of moving walkways (closest to the checkpoint) for a while. It became necessary post 9/11 because of occasional crowding of the checkpoint - just now being fixed.
Premium and expert lanes were aligned to the right side of the Concourse A checkpoint last time I went through a few weeks ago.
Yes, the former Clear lines.
In the north and south "security" checkpoints in the main terminal, they moved the Clear lines (before I get pummeled; I know they're not there anymore) to the opposite ends of the lines because people in the premium lines were getting verbally confrontational to the Clear folks.
For the past few years, it seemed the checkpoint configuration changed almost weekly.
What doesn't help nowadays is to consistently see empty checkpoints and empty ID podiums. DEN frequently has to stop the ID checking process because the line to the checkpoints reaches the ID podiums.
In the north and south "security" checkpoints in the main terminal, they moved the Clear lines (before I get pummeled; I know they're not there anymore) to the opposite ends of the lines because people in the premium lines were getting verbally confrontational to the Clear folks.
For the past few years, it seemed the checkpoint configuration changed almost weekly.
What doesn't help nowadays is to consistently see empty checkpoints and empty ID podiums. DEN frequently has to stop the ID checking process because the line to the checkpoints reaches the ID podiums.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,034
I noticed last week, that they had ripped out the carpet on the far left (Employee entrance) and the far right (elite screening). They also took away the display cases... I wonder if they are going to have lines that start at the entrance to the checkpoint, near the main lobby..... I also noticed that they put up metal signs above each WTMD line, with the rules and regs for security.....
They also recently took down the pictures of the children at the north and south checkpoints near the escalator, while some people regroup after getting the Government-issued grope.
Looked like they used pictures of the children as some sort of "calming effect" in that area. Noticed they took them down about a month ago (I'm just assuming that pictures of children with their country of origin listed below them was for the aforementioned purpose).
They also finally got rid of the puffer in the south checkpoint.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
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#12
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,034
No, I'm not saying they suspend checking the IDs, I'm saying they halt the lines being the lines to the checkpoint get so long.
#13
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On family-heavy travel days, the lines are insane. I remember a few years back it that it was taking up to an hour to pass through regular screening on the South checkpoint... Luckily, the elite line was practically empty!!^ Took about two minutes from the moment one would enter the line, until they reached the TDC...
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: *wood Gold
Posts: 1,780
That's an even worse solution to the problem.
Common sense should just tell them to stop wasting time checking granny's wheelchair and ID/BP combinations for all passengers to speed things up. Instead they shut things down...
#15
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