Could the dedicated first class/elite security lane be falling out of favor with the TSA? Interesting Washington Post article here

I have to say that I can't imagine travel without this perk.

Nah, I think it's here to stay. As the article points out, the lines are managed by the airlines and/or the airports. Also in the article, the TSA tenticles doesn't encompass you until you reach the WTMD.

I think the airlines realize all the perks they have cut back, and that they would do everything possible to keep this cost-free perk alive.

If the TSA wants to gripe about dedicated lines, start shuffling the airport employees and TSA staffers themselves through other lines.

Quote from the article:

"Airport and airline officials said they convinced the TSA that creating special lines speeds all travelers through. By separating seasoned passengers who are familiar with security rules from vacationers who don't know they have to remove their shoes, the officials say, everyone moves through security more quickly."

I realize that quote is attributed to airport and airline officials, but where does TSA officially say that passengers have to remove their shoes? I guess that I am not a seasoned passenger when I don't remove my shoes.

You're just not one of the sheople the TSA targets to in their dog-and-pony show.

This guy is ridiculous:

When he flies more than once a year or forks out more than the cheapest discounted Y fare, maybe he can complain. It makes no sense for the airlines to cater to fliers on whom they make no money; the elites who fly often and those who pay for F fares are the ones from which they want to keep the business.

Another person with no clue as to economics:

First class or elite status does not cost "a couple of extra bucks." And they all miss the point that the TSA doesn't run the lines, so the argument that "we all pay for security" is not valid, either (and, at most airports, if the elite lines are really empty and the standard lines are long, the staff moves people between them to speed it up for everyone)

The same people whine about the CO Blue Carpet/Elite Access lines and make comments or funny faces when Elite members walk past them to board.

I pay them no attention and as long as the airlines control the lines leading to the checkpoints, it's unlikely this process will change - the airlines know where their bread and butter is coming from and will not pander to discount customers who fly once in a blue moon.

If the TSA sticks it fat nose in this argument and tries to get rid of the premium lines, that it outside their mandate and they should mind their own business.

I'm not trying to be mean spirited here, but these arguments from infrequent flyers get me hot under the collar. I fly more in a month than 98% of the population flies in a year and I fly more in a year than 98% of the population flies in their lifetime - so I am entitled to the line perks the airline offers me in exchange for my business, I am not shy about using them and I could care less about sour grapes whining from people who still walk through the WTMD with their cell phones, purses, heavy coats, and bags. When these people fly as much as the average FTer, then they can join the short line too.

It's none of the TSA's business, so I'm not concerned. They need to stick to their area of expertise: acting cranky at the checkpoint and playing with their wands.

Yeah, and what's the deal with those pilots and FAs jumping the line? Everyone should be treated the same...

Inside the exclusive American Airlines Admirals Club at Los Angeles International Airport, Mike Shires relaxed on a leather chair, enjoying a few moments of peace before his flight back home to Chicago. He flies 200,000 miles a year on business and he enjoys the perks that come with being a frequent flier. "I'd have to put 30 minutes back into my schedule" without the special security line, Shires said.

The 30 minutes he spent relaxing in his leather chair? Regular coach people have plenty of free time, so this should not be an issue with them. Ahhh..to feel elite.

Have a great day all!

I've calculated it and I would lose about 40 hours a year if I had the typical security wait. Are any "regular coach passengers" willing to give me a week of their time?

I didn't think so.

I don't see the connection. If you were to wait in line during that time, do you consider it "giving " your time to the people in coach? Why would they owe you a week? The people in coach have no effect on how many weeks a year you stand in line . But I really don't care either way, as certain perks are indeed earned. I just found it funny that the man in the story was talking about his lost minutes that he would have had to make up... as he relaxed in his leather chair. Minutes lost doing what? Relaxing? You have to admit, the story had a pompous air about it. Would have been better if they had of spoke to someone working feverishly on his laptop trying to close a last minute deal.

Have a great day all!

You're right, the story does have a pompous air about it and it is spinned to make the elite lines look bad. Perhaps this writer or someone at the Washington Post has a problem with the system in place?

Especially the part about the fellow at LAX relaxing in a leather chair -- minutes lost? However, the article does not state he was sitting in the leather chair for 30 minutes, but only for a "few moments" before a flight to ORD -- but the way the article is written it's easy for one to assume he cut 30 minutes off of security to relax in a leather chair for 30 minutes.

I understand how others feel about such lines, especially at LAS early last year when I was there last with concourse "D". The FC only line took 5 minutes, while the regular line was over 90 minutes long. However, I purposely purchase a First Class tickets (paid F) for travel to/from LAS because I know how the line situation can get. I haven't been there in several months and I know they were working on installing additional lanes.

What is the offical LAS concourse "D" situation? (anyone?)

SDF_Traveler

P.S. I noted the story mentioned ORD in terminal two with the NW/CO elite/FC lines. I sincerely question how bad the regular line was, because ORD is one of the most efficient in the nation; were there 5 people in the regular line and 2 in the "elite line" waiting? If that line is too long, there are other lines in terminal two one may go to - the one by the terminal one/two connector is always short in my experience regardless of who you are.

If special TSA equipment were reserved for special pax, then the "taxpayers" should complain.

However, with the special lines, from a TSA operations point of view, it's the same as having no special lines, as passengers continuously flow in and all equipment is being utilized. It's none of their business how passengers are delivered to these lines. Their job is to screen.

- Pat

Or those people sitting at the front of the plane in the big seats - it's not fair that some people get the perks of those big leather seats if we can't all have them, oh no. . .

This is one area (of many ) that I don't understand. In most situations, the customer comes first and the employees second. Here it just the opposite.

And aircraft crews don't even pay the security fee, so they should be at the end of the line.