Diamond Self-Select
Have you heard about TSA’s Diamond Self-Select Program? I hadn’t until I saw this picture (from Midway Airport) in the newspaper yesterday.
The program splits TSA checkpoints into three lanes – expert, for business travelers; casual, for less frequent travelers; and family/special assistance, for families, elderly passengers, and passengers who need special help.
The idea is that splitting people into separate lanes, based on their TSA protocol comfort, will speed up inspection times.
I’m super quick in the TSA inspection line. I wear shoes that slip off, skip wearing a belt, and throw my laptop out of its bag at lighting speed.
It seems like I am always behind some slowpoke.
If this program actually works, and they bring it to O’Hare, I’ll be psyched. Can I go through the expert lane though, even though I am not always a “business” traveler?
Has anyone used it yet? They already have it in Denver and Cincinnati.
Themocracy
It’s a good idea in theory… but when I tried it the person ahead of me in the “expert” line was far from expert, and picked the line because they thought it would move faster with experts in it.
I agree with the above comment – it’s a good idea, but we all know people will misuse it. Kind of like people who use self-check out lanes at the grocery store and clearly have no clue what they’re doing, only at the airport it will be so much worse.
My parents have something different… I don’t know what it’s called, but it’s a card you pay for every year to get through security immediately. I think it’s like $200 and requires a security check before you’re given it, but every time you go to the airport a TSA employee escorts you immediately the the front of the line and through security so there’s absolutely no waiting. I think that’s ok, too, until there are so many people willing to pay $$ to do it that they’re all waiting anyway.
Having been in the security line at Denver and Chicago, I will only say that SOMEthing, ANYthing had to be done about Denver. We stood, literally, for almost a full hour the last time we were there. And there were multiple lanes open with not that many passengers waiting. Much as I hate to admit it, O’Hare was like filet mignon compared to Denver’s dog chow experience.
However, I’m really interested in that pass that Jenn mentions…where do I sign up!?
Perhaps if a moron gets in the Expert Lane at the airport, when they arrive at the screening area they can be ‘rejected’ and sent to the back of the fourth line: STUPID LIARS. 😉
Something tells me that a TSA higher up went to Disneyland and got a FastPass for Splash Mountain and said “Hey, we can charge for this”
Dave2’s post is pretty accurate with what is going to happen if this rolls out to nationwide. It needs more tweaks… lots of tweaks.
I’ve not used it yet, but may have the chance in less than 6 weeks when I fly to Reno.
Dave2 – That was one of my big questions – “What do they do when some IDIOT gets in the wrong lane?” I think I would be even more frustrated if I was in the expert lane behind some slowpoke, than if I was in a normal lane.
Jenn – EVERYONE would probably get into the expert lane. For the reason Dave mentioned. I’ve never heard of that special pass though; it sounds like a great idea! I just don’t fly enough to warrant it!
Cat. – HA HA! I doubt they will do anything to reprimand the people getting into the wrong lane though 🙁
martymankins – You’ll have to give us the update after you go! Hopefully you will zip right through… that is, if you are familiar with TSA’s rules 😉
Yeah, I’m always the one who gets stuck behind the family of 20 … you know, where the parents have to personally assist each and every child before helping themselves. I heard an interview with a mother at Midway, who said she was all for these new lanes as she always feels bad for holding up the regular line with her motherly duties.
I’m sure there will be people who abuse the system. But, maybe they should combine the $$ idea with the Midway idea … you pay for a special pass to go through the expert lane (maybe you even have to pass a test!) … and you must go through the slow poke lane if you have kids … and everyone else goes through that middle lane. Maybe it’ll work??
Or maybe, instead of blaming travelers for the the slowdowns, the TSA should properly train their people to more efficiently process passengers … including opening more security check-points.
Yeah, I was all excited about this since E. and I are flying out of Midway for our trip to San Diego.
However, the comments about the idiots picking the wrong line have left me feeling less than optimistic. 🙁
Nilsa S. – I actually think that is a great idea – paying for the “expert” lane! I have never had much problem with the TSA people, for me, it is usually the other passengers. But I sure have heard some horror stories! 🙂
diane – Maybe it will be okay! Don’t lose hope! I forgot you are going to San Diego… that sounds so great on this rainy, dismal day.
I will provide an update (most likely as a blog post on BL) if they have such lanes setup at SLC and Reno airports.
Katie was totally stoked about this for when we leave this weekend for Florida.