"Expert" security lane -- private security says only for 1st class
 

I was flying out of BOS Terminal A on Saturday where they have implemented the new three-tier security lane structure based on ski slopes. In front of the entrance to each lane, there was a TSA sign explaining who might fit in the lane. For instance, the "green" lane's explanation was something along the lines of "families with children and those new to traveling." The "blue" lane's explanation was something like, "somewhat familiar with security procedures." At the black diamond "expert" lane, the suggested criteria were, if I recall correctly:

1) Fly two or more times a month
2) Always have laptops/toiletries out of your bag when you reach the scanner
3) Frequent flyer elite

There were also one or two more that I can't remember. Notably, however, the words "First Class" were nowhere on any sign.

When I approached the "expert" lane, I was stopped by a private security guard -- not TSA -- and asked whether I had a first class ticket. I told her no, I did not, but I certainly fit the criteria listed on the sign. She said, no, the black lane was only for first class travelers, and directed me to the (exceptionally long) blue lane. When I tried to point out that TSA signs clearly indicated that, for instance, elite frequent flyers were expected to go through the black security lane, she simply reiterated "Only first class," while pointing to the blue line.

What really got me -- aside from the fact that the TSA signs clearly indicate you do not have to be first class to go in the expert lane -- is that the resources set aside for the expert lane also indicated that the private security employee was wrong. The expert lane had two ID checkers as well as two X-ray machines. If you are scanning only the tiny subset of first class passengers, doesn't that seem like overkill? (Indeed, while I waited in the blue line, I saw only a handful of passengers go through the expert/first class line).

I can't decide if the security person had it wrong -- that first class is also supposed to be permitted to go through the expert lane, perhaps even given priority there, or if the airlines (Delta and Continental) are directing their private security employees to stand guard at the entrance to the expert lane. It was very early, I didn't have the energy for a further confrontation (no coffee yet!), and I was running a bit late, so I just went over to the blue lane -- had it been later in the day, maybe I would have asked to speak to her boss.

On a related note, I'm not such a fan of the new system. The green lane was about 1/4 as long as the blue lane, as anyone without kids or who has flown before naturally gravitated to the latter due to the descriptions on the signs. Even though the screening time per-person in the green lane was probably longer than that in the blue lane, it was moving well. A family who entered the green lane around the same time I entered the blue lane cleared security about 10 minutes before I did. Maybe next time I will plead travel ignorance and head for the shorter line.

Interesting. I haven't seen this TSA set up before.

I like the idea of designating a line for security novices. That way they don't feel pressured by more expert fliers who, let's face it, sometimes are unreasonable in their expectations that everyone should have everything perfectly organized and know all the TSA rules by heart (I admit to emitting a few long sighs at times ...)

That said, I would have no problem assessing the line lengths and jumping into the novice lane if it was clearly shorter and moving faster than the blue lane.

You are absolutely correct about the black lane though. The sign clearly indicates it is not reserved for first class/elite passengers, so anyone should be free to use it. If that is not the case, they need to change the sign. And all airports I'm accustomed to allow elites to use the first class line, so the PSG telling you absolutely first class only is odd in itself.

I think this is a case of a new system being rolled out and not everyone being on the same page yet. My bet is (if it's a brand new system), it will all shake out in a couple weeks after the supervisors get some comments and have time to assess who understands it properly and who needs a follow up training.

Great, yet another wonderful enhancement of the Terminal A travel experience. First the elite and shuttle lines vanish. Now it's the TSA system plus unwritten modification. If the expert lane is indeed once again for elite travellers they DL/CO need to come down hard on whoever is training these private ID checkers to enforce the standard elite access provisions for the lane.

Be sure to leave your comments on the TSA blog for BOS:
http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2008/01/got-...n-airport.html

Just a case of an ill-informed ID checker on a power trip.

They have the same set up at MCO, I had no trouble using the expert lane on a coach tix.

I went over to post on the TSA Boston blog as suggested. There are a bunch of comments there from elite/first-class flyers who are upset that the elite security line was removed and that, apparently, people were overestimating their security screening skills and entering the expert line when they shouldn't, causing long backups.

I totally sympathize with their complaints -- but I imagine Delta/Continental heard a lot of the same thing. So I would not be at all surprised if the private security person was directed by Delta/Continental to restrict access to the expert line to try to keep the peace among its big-ticket passengers.

By the way, this is kinda obvious, but many first-class passengers are far from "expert" on security procedures. Elite status is a much more reliable indicator of that.

Bruce

Ignore her. The TSA is in charge of the lines, not some mall cop.

We caught wind of this new sorting scheme about a month or so ago. Depending on how motivated and/or patient I am with the $&*#@!* search function today, I'll look for the earlier thread and post it.

You should've just ignored them and walked though. Let the call someone else who can come over and read the sign.

+1

BOS is my home airport, and I have never been stopped when I simply ignored the ID checker and kept walking.

Mike

Maybe they should consider hiring somebody who can read :mad:

123445

I went through the similar system at DEN on Tuesday morning. In the "Expert" lane, I had to pass someone in line who couldn't understand where his baggie should go, and was being assisted by a TSAer.

The non-TSA pre-screeners at BOS are rudest people you will ever meet. That being said, last Christmas I got a good laugh from one. We were on our way into the security line for terminal B and the lady was checking ID and boarding pass. This was at about 445am:

PAX in front of me: (gets up to the checker) *blank stare*
Checker: (in broken english): "boarding pass and id."
PAX: *looks at her as if she is speaking klingon*.
Checker: "Boarding PASS and ID"
Checker: "BOARDING PASS and ID Sir!"
PAX: *pulls out receipt from CVS and stares at it*
Checker: *fustrated* "Git de' hell out of the way"
Checker: *motions to me* "Boarding pass and Id please? :D"

I laughed all the way to the gate.

Man, ditto to that.

I just had my first experience with the pre-screeners and the Expert lane. There was a woman with a coupla kids who was about to go through the Expert lane. The NTSO (non-tso) practically screamed at her that there was another line for families. I'm not sure how the NTSO knew that the woman and her kids weren't experts, but this ski-lane thing is going to cause more headaches than it is worth.

Mike