Aside from airline fees, one of the top complaints traveler’s have lately is the amount of time it takes to get through security. The TSA has tried to address this issue by implementing self-regulated lanes designed for different types of travelers. The only downside to system where each passenger decides their level of expertise is that people may tend to chose whatever line they think will be quickest, regardless of how often they travel… leaving the people who actually DO travel often stuck waiting behind someone less prepared (as usual).
A few airlines are taking matters into their own hands and plan to provide special priority lines to their frequent travelers. American Airlines announced last week that they’re starting their Priority Access, giving their top customers dedicated security and boarding lines to speed up their trip. Today Southwest Airlines announced Fly By, which will provide a priority security lane to Business Select and Rapid Reward A-List customers. Both programs are said to begin sometime in late October. This sounds like great news for frequent travelers who are sick of getting held up in long lines. While we’re not sure how TSA policies play into this, we suspect you’ll still have to remove your shoes. But at least the people in line with you know the drill and are probably wearing slip-ons.
Southwest Airlines Introduces Priority Security Lanes at Select Airports
American Airlines Adds Airport Perks for Top Travelers
Photo by Ingorr
by Jenni Chasteen Marketing Assistant · October 1st, 2008 
1 response so far ↓
It’s a shame that there’s no good way to regulate lines other than praising frequent travellers, not that there’s anything wrong with that. While I’ve flown a fair share in my life, I don’t fall into the “priority customer” category. I end up waiting in ridiculous lines marked by numerous signs telling people how to prepare when I get to the front, and yet somehow as I reach the screening zone I’m the only one with my liquids and boarding pass out, shoes, belt, and jacket off, with the contents of my pockets in the jacket that’s going to go through the scanner. So I end up being wedged between people that insisted on waiting they are wasting others time instead of using the line time wisely.
Maybe there should be a voluntary written exam that upon passing grant you access to a line more suited to your travelling/security screening experience.
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