Deadheaders Jumping the Security Line
 

OK, this is a minor peave but I have to vent and bring it up as an issue.

I was out of STL yesterday and upon reaching the security line I realized that I had left something important in my rental car and had to rush back to retrieve it. By the time I got back to security it was about T-15 before departure, I was out of one of the first gates in the concourse, and I was almost to the X-ray machine. "Might just make it," I thought.

That was before two DL pilots jumped the security line. That little bit of added delay caused me to just miss the end of boarding. I got within sight of gate just in time to see the door close behind the GA as she went down to button it up.

Now I fully admit that my own negligence was the real cause of my missing that flight. If I hadn't been a space cadet yesterday morning I would have thoroughly checked the rental car and left with all of my belongings in hand. I'm not saying that these line jumpers were the primary cause of my trouble or that DL is in any way responsible for it.

That said, however, what really peaves me off about this is that both of those guys who jumped the line turned out to be deadheading. After the GA rebooked me I went down to a little cafe near the gate to find both of them sitting and laughing over their coffee without a care in the world. They boarded another flight about an hour later.

While I can see and agree with the policy allowing flight crews to the front of the line when they are actually on duty - they've got legitimate time constraints to deal with - I don't agree that this policy should extend to those just making a hop to another base. It's frustrating enough have to deal with security these days. Watching as somebody walks in front of you so that they can get to their coffee five minutes earlier while you desperately run for your flight is not something that makes me very happy.

I'm not saying that preventing this is going to save thousands of people from just missing the plane, but I think it's at very least a public relations snafu. It certainly doesn't win too many smiles from the people waiting in the security line when it happens.

Does anybody know if there's a policy about this? If not, do you think there should be?

Again, it's a minor issue versus a lot of other things that go on. I just don't think it's a good practice from a marketing point of view and that it ought to be stopped.

Cheers,
OPos.

I believe all flight crew get a pass to the front of the line. The idea being that is they are not there it wont matter if you are. That said, the same logic is very loosely related to Deadheads. If they miss the outbound a BUNCH of people are missing a flight or very late somewhere. These individual represent 100+ regular people so I think they rightfully get a pass. HOWEVER, I do have an issue with them getting a pass and ALSO using the elite line. SFO is famous for this...the crews all come through the elite lane and ultimately you end up with no benefit as the regular lane will pass you if the crew is big enough. Pick one in my opinion: Either stand in line with the elites or cut with the non elites.,,,DTKWIA? :)

Deadheading crew that aren't in a rush shouldn't definitely not use their badge to cut the entire line. I completely agree.

But, other than the honesty policy, how are you going to police that? :confused:

There is nothing more annoying than getting to the front of a long security line and have crew just cut in front of you. OK, it's borderline fine if they are working a flight. But, if they are cutting the line to sit in a cafe and chit chat over coffee, that certainly does suck.

I think it is stupid at any flight crew (FAs or pilots) have to go through any screening. As long as they can provide positive ID that they are a crew member, don't waste their or my time at a stupid security checkpoint. After all, they can cause all sorts of disruptions no matter what the stupid TSA does.

I feel for the flight crew in this situation. They pass through security checkpoints how many times a month? More than most of us.

If you want to get irritated at folks cutting in line, try TPA where there is no priority line and the wheelchair or stroller folks are numerous.

David

Pilots perhaps. F/A's absolutely not.

What's the difference? The plane can't leave without either.

Maybe you want to re-think that. Link

Not to mention, the plane can't board without FAs.

yikes! :eek: what a horrible story. they can cut me off in security anytime as long as they do go through security. scary stuff!

Very good point. The plane can board without pilots but not without FAs.

MCO has an employee only line and if no employees are using it they feed some of the everyday riff raff through it to cut down on the long lines. The real beef I have with this is the number of employees using this line while apparently off duty, no uniform, and full family in tow (babies,teen age kids and other adults. To me this is a real abuse of the system. If traveling on anything other than work (or returning from work) these special lines and butt to the front of the line privileges should be stopped, just my 2 cents. :mad:

I do sympathize with your situation, but I'm guessing that you feel about the same as pax in the regular security line do when we use the elite line (or cut the line from their perspective) to get to the Skyclub 10 minutes earlier while they desperately try to make their flight. Do you use the regular security line when you have oodles of time before your flight? I don't, unless the regular line is less crowded.;)

Worry not.

That scenario cannot happen again with reinforced cockpit doors, which all planes now have (all planes with cockpit doors, that is).

Did you ever think of politely asking them to let you go ahead of them because you had had a problem getting to the airport (w/o saying what it was) ....

They might have actually said yes.

Bob H