Senator Ben Nelson Wants to Take Away Your FF Priority Line
May 3rd, 2012, 03:45 AM
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Senator Ben Nelson Wants to Take Away Your FF Priority Line
Ben Nelson (D-NE) says it's not fair to have priority security lines
http://www.flyertalk.com/the-gate/bl...that-fair.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/the-gate/bl...that-fair.html
May 3rd, 2012, 06:31 AM
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I agree with one point - I'd rather be going as fast as they are.
But, I do sort of agree with the Senator in terms of fairness in the security line. Being an elite flyer should come with all the perks the airline would like to give you. It's their program and their product.
But last I checked, the TSA is a government run operation, and charging each of us a fee with our for it's use, at that. We're all paying for it's use, whether we want to or not. To place some hireling of the airlines at the front of the line to filter and direct us to where we knew we were going anyway, just to add the velvet rope treatment, is hardly an added service most of us want or need. And, in the end, the front of the plane leaves about when the back end leaves anyway. So it's really that this particular perk is just a shakedown at security, making sure that the majority of us simply can't get to a percentage of the US government run security functions we all pay for.
Oh, suuuure you can get to school kid but first you're going to have to get through my neighborhood... hahaha. Gimme a dollar and I'll let you through.
But, I do sort of agree with the Senator in terms of fairness in the security line. Being an elite flyer should come with all the perks the airline would like to give you. It's their program and their product.
But last I checked, the TSA is a government run operation, and charging each of us a fee with our for it's use, at that. We're all paying for it's use, whether we want to or not. To place some hireling of the airlines at the front of the line to filter and direct us to where we knew we were going anyway, just to add the velvet rope treatment, is hardly an added service most of us want or need. And, in the end, the front of the plane leaves about when the back end leaves anyway. So it's really that this particular perk is just a shakedown at security, making sure that the majority of us simply can't get to a percentage of the US government run security functions we all pay for.
Oh, suuuure you can get to school kid but first you're going to have to get through my neighborhood... hahaha. Gimme a dollar and I'll let you through.
May 3rd, 2012, 07:01 AM
#6
Childhood lesson learned: Life is not always fair.
Us Cubs fans know a thing or two about the fairness in this world.
Methinks maybe Mr Nelson or one of his family members have spent a bit of time in an airline security line. I agree there are more important issues happening in Congress.
LOVE your screenname CubsFanAlways.
Us Cubs fans know a thing or two about the fairness in this world.
Methinks maybe Mr Nelson or one of his family members have spent a bit of time in an airline security line. I agree there are more important issues happening in Congress.
LOVE your screenname CubsFanAlways.
May 3rd, 2012, 08:05 AM
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I actually agree with Ben Nelson, despite being an elite flyer with access to these lines. The provision of government services shouldn't be based upon how much money you spent with an airline.
The only argument I can see would be if some segregation of elite flyers helped improve the overall efficiency of the system. But that would seem to apply primarily to situations where you have separate checkpoints, rather than simply letting them cut the line.
The only argument I can see would be if some segregation of elite flyers helped improve the overall efficiency of the system. But that would seem to apply primarily to situations where you have separate checkpoints, rather than simply letting them cut the line.
May 3rd, 2012, 08:40 AM
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The federal government's part of the operation doesn't start until you get to the actual TSA employee who checks your ID and boarding pass. Prior to that it is the airline's responsibility to manage logistics.
May 3rd, 2012, 09:01 AM
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I hate it when I agree with people like Ben Nelson.
If the airlines want to provide this service to their FFs, I think they should pick up the entire cost of the the TSA employees who screen them.
On the plus side, if it were not for priority screening, we would have missed our connection in AMS last year.
If the airlines want to provide this service to their FFs, I think they should pick up the entire cost of the the TSA employees who screen them.
On the plus side, if it were not for priority screening, we would have missed our connection in AMS last year.
May 3rd, 2012, 09:18 AM
#11
<<If the airlines want to provide this service to their FFs, I think they should pick up the entire cost of the the TSA employees who screen them.>>
Why should they pick up the entire cost of the TSA agents who screen them? They would have to screen them in any event. It's just a matter of do they move to the head of the line. Really, is this such a big deal? And unfortunately, I am not one of the priority customers.
Why should they pick up the entire cost of the TSA agents who screen them? They would have to screen them in any event. It's just a matter of do they move to the head of the line. Really, is this such a big deal? And unfortunately, I am not one of the priority customers.
May 3rd, 2012, 09:30 AM
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People who buy a subscription to a concert or theatre series get better seats at the hall. Lots of stores give special concessions or even discounts to those who do more business with them. Regulars at a popular night club can go to the front of the line -- or skip the line altogether. Hotels and car rentals have special check in desks for those who frequently stay or rent there. Why is it such a big deal that those who give an airline the most business get some sort of special privileges?
May 3rd, 2012, 09:33 AM
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<i>Why is it such a big deal that those who give an airline the most business get some sort of special privileges?</i>
Because the privilege is not being conferred by the airline? Ben Nelson isn't arguing with how the airline provisions seats, just with how the TSA provisions security screening.
Because the privilege is not being conferred by the airline? Ben Nelson isn't arguing with how the airline provisions seats, just with how the TSA provisions security screening.
May 3rd, 2012, 09:40 AM
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"People who buy a subscription to a concert or theatre series get better seats at the hall. Lots of stores give special concessions or even discounts to those who do more business with them. Regulars at a popular night club can go to the front of the line -- or skip the line altogether. Hotels and car rentals have special check in desks for those who frequently stay or rent there. Why is it such a big deal that those who give an airline the most business get some sort of special privileges?"
Because in all of your examples, the businesses are absorbing the cost of special treatment. In the case of priority screening, the businesses are getting the benefit but the government is picking up the cost. I would never have thought of you as a socialist.
Because in all of your examples, the businesses are absorbing the cost of special treatment. In the case of priority screening, the businesses are getting the benefit but the government is picking up the cost. I would never have thought of you as a socialist.
May 3rd, 2012, 10:13 AM
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<<... the businesses are getting the benefit but the government is picking up the cost... >>
Wrong! Read my earlier post - the fed turf starts at the podium where the TSA agent checks ID's. Before that - i.e., the lines leading up to it - it's the airline's turf, and the airlines pay for or pay a contractor to manage that. And if anything, the benefit is in the exact opposite direction - having a line for more experienced fliers who are accustomed to TSA procedures shortens the overall process for all, reducing the need for staffing at the checkpoint.
Wrong! Read my earlier post - the fed turf starts at the podium where the TSA agent checks ID's. Before that - i.e., the lines leading up to it - it's the airline's turf, and the airlines pay for or pay a contractor to manage that. And if anything, the benefit is in the exact opposite direction - having a line for more experienced fliers who are accustomed to TSA procedures shortens the overall process for all, reducing the need for staffing at the checkpoint.
