For the second time in two weeks, I have been pushed - literally, pushed - out of the way at the x-ray belt in a security line by UA FAs. The first time, there was a really long line and I can understand some of their frustration. However, they just shoved my bags out of the way and put their stuff into the x-ray ahead of me without saying a word (particularly, please or excuse me).

Yesterday, I was basically knocked off my feet by a FA as I was untying my shoe at the x-ray machine. I told the guy off and was told that "if they didn't get to their plane, I wasn't going to fly." There was no line at security - there were actually only two people behind me. Further, these guys were working my flight and they spent 15 minutes cooling their heels waiting for the inbound to arrive.

I complained to a Service Director who asked "isn't that TSA's responsibility?"

Don't these FAs have any idea how they come off to the flying public?

Not sure about ignorance, but it does seem like the 'us vs. them' mentality is pervasive among many FAs, not just at UA. My sister-in-law is a FA for a different airline and to her all passengers are 'Jethros' (her term). She despises the flying public and retains her position solely for the benefits it accords. I have to admit though, living overseas, that I just don't see much of this on the airlines I routinely fly - LH, SAS, TK, and Gulf.

That's being rude, not ignorant. (My thought is those FA's that act that way know what they are doing, just don't care).

It seems that many airports have a separate line for crews. Perhaps TSA can make that universal. BTW, where did it happen?

Did you mean arrogant?

That is pretty rude and arrogant behavior.

Almost as bad as DYKWIA!?

Because some airline employees are self-important asshats who feel the need to be rude and assault passengers you want the TSA to spend more of my tax dollars to build them a special line? No thanks.

To clarify the discussion, the thread title was changed to emphasize the OP's concern of alleged rudeness when moving ahead of other pax when clearing security. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.

They don't need a new line - they just need to be both polite, and wait at the start of the bucket, laptop, shoes off process.

There is nothing worse than standing in your socks (with the big holes in them) waiting for 17 crew members to go in front of you.

This was at PDX, and in yesterday's case, they also cut between a wheelchair attendant and the person he was wheeling, who had to wait - standing for the FAs to go through while the wheelchair was on the other side.

I often get the impression from FAs that they're my betters and doing me such a favor by serving me.

Thankfully, there are still some who actually like their jobs.

If I acted like many do at work, I'd be canned in an instant. I don't see how they can get away with it.

I've never understood why crews can't wait in line with the rest of us.

I think it is perfectly acceptable for the people who work the flights day in, day out, year in, year out, to be able to jump to the head of the line. Even the most frequent flier among us is not flying as much as they are.

However, that is no excuse for anyone to be rude to others - pax, TSA, or anyone - when jumping ahead.

Like the rest of us? We elites cut lines all the time, including the security line.

I ran into a very rude UA pilot at FRA once who seem irritated that I was in line in front of him and made a snide remark to one of his FA's about having to deal with travellers...

Good thing I wasn't on his flight that day.

Maybe I am missing something, but personally, I don't see much of a reason for flight crew to get priority over other travelers when clearing priority (exceptions granted for cases where they are filling in for a crew member at last minute and couldn't plan ahead). Why is their time more valuable than mine? Crew members should plan ahead just as I have to in order to make it to the gate on time.

It's a question of basic courtesy and respect and we are seeing less and less of it lately everywhere.

^ to the OP for calling out the FA on his poor behavior.

While I can understand the urgency to get to their flights it is no excuse for rude behavior and an even worse reflection on their employer since they are most definitely in a customer-facing position and like it or not, they are held to a somewhat higher standard.

I will never understand why someone who dislikes people (or simply does not care) would continue to work in a customer facing position. If you do not like 'Jethros' then you should find some other place to work that does not involve interaction with customers.