Priority Lines at TSA
Oct 12, 2010 | 1:10 pm
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
I believe, though have never seen a formal definition
Priority Line - Skip the line waiting for the ID Check or whatever based on your airline status
Experienced Traveler - A security station set up for so called Experienced Travelers, where those who know how to go through will pass quicker.
The experienced traveler concept was described a couple years ago when they were piloting it as:
It's a simple idea that is at least in initial tests having a big impact: have expert travelers who know the drill go through one line; folks who have a good idea of what they're supposed to do, but may not fly often, go through a second line; and families with kids or people who need more time or special assistance, through a third.
The difference, at least to me, is that the assumption is that an experienced traveler will go through the line quicker, be them priority qualifying or not. If for example I'm flying an airport I have no status on, I would not be Priority, but would be Experienced.
A priority traveler could be somebody who has never been on a plane before, has no clue how security works, but bought a first class ticket or whatever.
The TSA has never been thrilled with the some people get to cut the line concept.
Priority Line - Skip the line waiting for the ID Check or whatever based on your airline status
Experienced Traveler - A security station set up for so called Experienced Travelers, where those who know how to go through will pass quicker.
The experienced traveler concept was described a couple years ago when they were piloting it as:
It's a simple idea that is at least in initial tests having a big impact: have expert travelers who know the drill go through one line; folks who have a good idea of what they're supposed to do, but may not fly often, go through a second line; and families with kids or people who need more time or special assistance, through a third.
The difference, at least to me, is that the assumption is that an experienced traveler will go through the line quicker, be them priority qualifying or not. If for example I'm flying an airport I have no status on, I would not be Priority, but would be Experienced.
A priority traveler could be somebody who has never been on a plane before, has no clue how security works, but bought a first class ticket or whatever.
The TSA has never been thrilled with the some people get to cut the line concept.
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Oct 12, 2010 | 1:22 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
Has any "test" that the TSA done ever been announced a failure?
Even if the "experienced traveler" lane is backed up and the family one is not as sometimes happen, they will declare it a success.
With no measurable goals, nor any independent measurement, they will always declare success with everything they do.
Even if the "experienced traveler" lane is backed up and the family one is not as sometimes happen, they will declare it a success.
With no measurable goals, nor any independent measurement, they will always declare success with everything they do.
- Puffer machines. IIRC, these were going to be deployed everywhere ... but they didn't hold up during testing and have been shelved.
- Ban on cigarette lighters in carry-ons. If I recall, when TSA announced the reversal on its ban, they explicitly stated that one reason for the reversal was that looking for lighters was distracting from looking for other Bad Stuff.
- Not strictly speaking TSA, but ... the 30-minute DCA "potty rule".
Oct 12, 2010 | 1:36 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
I have noticed a trend of TSA-screeners deliberately treating "priority" AND "experienced" travelers badly - as in deliberate delays. At IAD, the experienced traveler line is the wheelchair line... and it seems to be the TSA trainee line (this morning they were training a contractor to do ID checks). At other airports - like T-4 at LAX - the strip-search machines are in the elite lanes. South side of DEN main checkpoint, same.
Oct 14, 2010 | 5:59 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Western PA
Programs: ExPlAAt; United 1K
Posts: 486
Count me in the camp that doesn't stand back and wait - I move myself in front of the next Kettle so the checker doesn't have a choice.
Which airport is that occurring at? I know my airline's station manager at my home airport blasted the FSD over checkers who were playing Robin Hood deliberately and making Elite customers wait for a long time....that problem was fixed quick.
Which airport is that occurring at? I know my airline's station manager at my home airport blasted the FSD over checkers who were playing Robin Hood deliberately and making Elite customers wait for a long time....that problem was fixed quick.
Oct 15, 2010 | 2:01 pm
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 72,434
When IAD opened their new TSA screening area last year, initially there was mass confusion, and the priority lines were useless, thanks to TSA incompetence. Many UA FFs complained to the UA 1K and PE Voice mailboxes, and in short order the airport produced contract employees to marshal the lines and restore order.
Oct 15, 2010 | 2:23 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MSP
Programs: DL-PM, Small Luxury Hotels & Proud Member of TSA Disparager-Gold
Posts: 774
Last month at SJU I got into the Experienced Traveler queue and snaked around until I finally got to the end of the queue only to find a barrier which ended directly at the side of the TSA checker. I asked if he would remove the barrier (I know better than to touch their stuff) he looked at me and called over a supervisor. I repeated my request to remove the barrier at which point he said, this line isn't open yet. I stated it's open at the beginning of the line so it should be open at the end...wrong answer of course. I was directed to walk back out and get into line like everyone else.
TSA in SJU has serious attitude issues and this wasn't the first time I've experienced it.
TSA in SJU has serious attitude issues and this wasn't the first time I've experienced it.
Oct 16, 2010 | 5:09 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN
Programs: COdbaUA MM, AA EXP, AF G, Bonbon Gold, Hilton G, All G, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis Presidential
Posts: 5,929
I've noticed this too, but I usually wait happily if they are evenly feeding people from each line. Some guy in the middle (non-elite) line kept yelling "work the middle" a week ago and slowed that up considerably.
Oct 17, 2010 | 7:19 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
As a frequent traveler, one of the few perks I am afforded is to use the priority boarding line at the airport, getting to my gate a little faster avoiding long waits behind inexperienced travelers fumbling for their boarding passes, drivers licenses, passports and false teeth.
Unfortunately, twice now I have had to wait for extended periods at the security point while a TSO happily checks the documentation of many people in the regular line while I stand and wait like a spare part. I know this gives them a sense of power and purpose but it pissed me off enough to complain to the airport authority who, after all owns the line up to the security point. They denied any responsibility and forwarded my complaint to the TSA.
I received a reply telling me the TSA does not believe in the priority lines but (and get this) would support experience traveler lines.
I would like to know the difference between a priority passenger (one who has in excess of 50000 miles racked up in a year) and an experienced traveler? The difference eludes me but then I am a mere software consultant and not clever enough to be a TSO.
Perhaps someone here could elucidate.
Unfortunately, twice now I have had to wait for extended periods at the security point while a TSO happily checks the documentation of many people in the regular line while I stand and wait like a spare part. I know this gives them a sense of power and purpose but it pissed me off enough to complain to the airport authority who, after all owns the line up to the security point. They denied any responsibility and forwarded my complaint to the TSA.
I received a reply telling me the TSA does not believe in the priority lines but (and get this) would support experience traveler lines.
I would like to know the difference between a priority passenger (one who has in excess of 50000 miles racked up in a year) and an experienced traveler? The difference eludes me but then I am a mere software consultant and not clever enough to be a TSO.
Perhaps someone here could elucidate.