"Elite lines at airport security irk some travelers - but there are more on the way"

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Elite lines at airport security irk some travelers - but there are more on
the way
The Washington Post (DC) and Seattle (WA) Times


Air traveler Pat Taylor was angry about waiting in a long security line in
Salt Lake City's airport while Delta's first-class, business-class and elite
frequent fliers breezed through a separate security line.

"I consider it outrageous that those who buy more expensive tickets jump
this taxpayer-funded line," said Taylor, of Washington D.C. And, she asked,
how can taxpayers protest?

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration, which staffs the
checkpoints, would seem the obvious place to complain. Not really, said
spokeswoman Amy Kudwa.

"How people are queued before reaching security is up to the airlines," she
said. The airlines employ the workers who check travelers' boarding passes
and IDs before allowing them to proceed to TSA checkpoints. There are such
special lines in other U.S. airports, including Sea-Tac Airport where the
favored travelers of Alaska Airlines and some other carriers can zip to
security. It's airlines' way of rewarding their most high-paying and
frequent passengers.

Of course, the government could ban the airlines from creating special lines
en route to security checkpoints. But it hasn't, and indeed it's moving
closer toward elite lines through its proposed Registered Traveler program.
That's an expedited service that would speed travelers through security if
they agree to a background check, pay a $30 fee to the TSA plus fees to
private companies that administer the program. Best guesses are the private
background-check companies will charge about $100 to sign up, plus a yearly
fee.

The TSA is accepting comments on its draft proposals for the Registered
Traveler through the close of business Wednesday. Go to www.tsa.gov and type
"registered traveler" in the search field for details. Or email comments to:
rtstandards@xxxxxxx

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