Black Diamond: off to a rough start?
 

Doesn't seem to be going well at my airport. :(

For one, we've diverted screeners to direct PAX entering the stanchions (ahead of the ticket readers), so we have fewer screeners actually screening.

I'm not sure if these 'directors' have been unsuccessful in explaining the program to PAX, or if PAX simply go astray after passing the ticket readers, but we're getting a mishmash of passengers through the Black Diamond lanes. Some of our 'experts' are still in strollers, if you get my drift.

Previously, many business travelers used to become visibly annoyed when stuck behind the Kettle types, but their rage probably was tempered by the recognition that it was nobody's fault. Now, the hostility seems to have ratcheted up several notches, and even the TSOs are becoming susceptible to it. Overheard one yesterday snapping at a passenger -- "You're in the expert line, so start acting like one!" Ouch.

We're expected to pump 5,000 PAX through our checkpoints in a four-hour period Monday morning. I have a feeling it's going to be interesting ... (yikes!). :p

IMHO it's a stupid idea, given the choice, who in their right mind will choose a longer lines?

TSA imploding under their own mess of rules?!

Perzackly. And if we were to start assigning PAX to lines based on a visual assessment ... hoo boy, suffice to say I do not want THAT job! :eek:

IMHO, the idea of tracking some passengers in a certain line might be helpful, but not currently as designed. Handicapped, families, etc., should be placed in one line, as it usually takes them longer to remove freedom baggies, computers, etc. Premier/elite line usually sorts itself into folks who know the rules, with glaring exceptions.

Forget this.......I'm just going to buy my own personal 764ER or A333 next year and skip security all together.

All I need to do now is become incredibly wealthy in the next few months.........

Or know someone wealthy enough...

Not wanting to argue or anything, but My wife flys with a mobility scooter, and may be classified as 'handicapped'. however even when I am carrying both her laptop, and my own... we are prepared to move through security at least as fast as most 'business' travelers. our shoes are off and ready before we even have our BP's screened

I think we could get together enough flyertalkers to give you some inventive to want this job, only people in your line are people with a FT luggage tag! :)

Not going well? Gee. Wonder why. Let's go back to the "dignity and respect" clause and see what we missed...

I use a wheelchair, am a business traveler, and can get my baggie, computer and wheelchair tools (saves time getting them out after they go through x-ray) out faster than 80% of the people around me - so which stereotype should I choose? Extra assistance or expert traveler?

For an airport that has no elite lines - or for the security checkpoint in general: When the TDC does the ID/BP check, they should look at the BP for an indication the traveler is a FF - look to see if ones FF status is printed on the boarding pass.

Upon seeing elite status printed on the BP, send them to the expert lane. Then send families and such to the "slow lane" and most others to the middle "average lane"

If an AA boarding pass reads "Platinum" or "Plat Exec" .. or "EMD or Emerald" or "SPH - Sapphire", send them to the expert lane. Chances they have the drill down. CO/DL/NW BP's that show "SkyTeam Elite" or "SkyTeam Elite Plus" - again FF's who likely have the drill down.

How an airline reflects ones FF status on a BP can vary a bit per airline, all of the programs have different terms - but they should be easy to pick out. When assigning lanes to non-elites, have the TDC look to see how much carry-on luggage the passenger has.

If the checkpoint is located well after the TDC, have the TDC write "B", "Y" or "G" on the BP so they can be directed to the black, yellow, or green line. I don't know how well this would work, but given the TDC reads the pax info on the BP, let them assign a lane.

At SDF they have an "Express Lane" for "One carry-on item (or less) only" -- this line often seems to move faster, but is easily mucked up by a kettle that has never heard of the liquid ban, doesn't know the process, etc.

Hence, I said usually. :) I have a colleague who is always prepared for these events and is ready to go at any airport we go to. Contrast this with my mom, who's a mess once she nears the checkpoint. I always see frantic faces when moms are trying to get kids' shoes off, etc. While the entire exercise is stupid, I think for the TSA to decide anything - especially this - is pointless.

At DEN, they have manipulated the "Expert" lane to be right in front of where the elite and Clear lines dump after the ID check.

Also at DEN, prior to said manipulation, I've passed people in the "expert" lane who needed assistance on what to put into the bins.

In DEN, the "choke point" is the ID checks. Many times, the standard lines will snake around many times over since they don't have all of the podiums open.

Thus, any benefits of this lane system thing is rendered useless at DEN. But I'm sure the management there will declare it a huge success.

ok so i fly enough to qualify as elite, however half of my travel is on skyteam, the other half on southwest...therefore, not elite. so now i don't qualify for the advanced line??

someone could fly nyc-syd, and one more flight jfk-lax or something...and be an elite, and they would qualify...