At FLL uniformed crew is allowed to cut to the front of the PreCheck line. There is almost never an objection; when there is, it seems to come from kettle types who have been randomized into precheck.

I have no qualms with crew and airport staff skipping the line for the TDC. Most flyers know that is going to happen. However, where it does get to be a peeve is at the carry baggage screening. Without saying anything I have had crew members come around me and put their bags on the conveyor. That is plainly rude. Others are polite and at least say something to the affect of "May I jump around you?" Which is fine but undoubtedly they're a group of six FA so yer stuck.

That said given the crap show being run by TSA folks might as well expect more crew in the regular lines. I.e. dedicated crew lines will not be staffed.

I had a somewhat similar experience with an AA FA at MIA. The PreCheck line (me) merges with the Crew Member line (her) after the ID checker and I had placed my bags on the conveyor, and was at the front of the line with my stuff about to go in. There were about 8 people behind me, already cleared by the ID checker. The FA bypasses this line, cuts in front of me, pushes my bags back on the roller to make space for her bags. I asked her to please not touch my bags and not cut the line. She (with attitude) told me that she needed to catch her flight. I told her that we all needed to catch our flights but that it was rude and unprofessional to cut the line, and let it go. During the next hour before the flight boarded, I saw her multiple times walking around the concourse, shopping, getting coffee, etc. When I boarded my flight to LAX, guess who was the FA working F on my side of the plane ? She was not the most friendly FA I've had.

I did follow up with an email to AA, asking specifically if it is appropriate for an FA to push back other peoples' bags and cut the line at the Xray machine. I got a canned response back that "crew members are given expedited security" without specifically answering my question.

You should respond back to AA saying that they didn't answer your specific question. Escalate if necessary when you get a canned response.

And perhaps DYKWIA types too.

Bingo. That's the problem with American service culture. All the pilot would have to do is say "I'm running late for the flight and there's no crew lane, would you mind if I went ahead of you?"

I don't give a poop about letting a crew member in a hurry cut the
line, but if there's attitude involved, there will be pushback.

I guess people do not get it. It is not cutting in line. Like how premium classes can board before economy-that is a defined benefit.

I let a WN FA go in front of me; she thanked me, and I joked about getting a free drink next time I was on her flight.

She reached in her bag and handed me about 20 drink chits.

;)

That doesn't absolve you from common courtesy. An "excuse me", if nothing else, goes a long way.

Well played, Doc! ;)

Though few people would complain about it, I'd guess that a significant portion of travelers do not know this policy -- especially infrequent travelers. The airport could simply post a sign, which would help both crew/airport employees and passengers.

Feel guilty
 

The real problem is that Americans expect an explanation from every professional- An airline pilot is not a service worker, nor is a police officer, or a registered nurse. These people have duties to their passengers/citizens/patients. We should let them focus on these duties.

To expect customer service is a disservice to yourself, and to those around you. Do you really want to be another stress in that pilots day?

Yes, the OP should feel guilty, totally unnecessary to disrespect professionals and do it in the name of "customer service".

But it does get silly sometimes. I've had 2-3 loads of crew cut in front and it was frustrating to inch forward, only to have another set of crew cut in line. Eventually I mentally said screw this and just held my ground. I don't think I was being unreasonable and as others have said, it's more the lack of acknowledgement from the crew that I am even there that IMHO causes the friction.

No, don't feel bad. If he was running late he should have said so. For all we know, he may have been only deadheading. Besides, it's the pax that pay his wages and he represents the company while in uniform..as such, he is expected to be courteous to customers.