I have a TSA problem
 

My taxes pay for the TSA, correct? So why do these people usher first class ticket holders through before everyone else? They paid for an upgraded seat on a private airline, not special upgraded treatment at a public airport! This bothers me. It is very un-American. It's bad enough we have to take off our 1/2 inch plastic flip-flops (which is not required), and get threatened with special screening if we don't, but when several of us in line were bothered by first class (or business, or whatever it's called)folks breezing by us, the concensus was "keep quiet, or you'll get singled out for secondary screening." And it's true.

The TSA don't care who gets to the security check-points. The lines are set up by the airport and the dominant carrier at that airport. The persons who check your BP and ID before letting you in the line aren't TSA agents either.

Now, since the people flying FC and the "elite" do generate more revenue for the airlines, it's very reasonable that they should get preferred treatment.

I don't understand the "un-American" comment. Certain people getting preferential treatment is about as American as it gets! Like Paris says, it's hot!

I thought we were capitalists here. How is it unamerican to offer better treatment to people who pay more for their flight? Is it also unamerican to offer nicer hotel rooms to people who pay a higher rate?

what nonsense! I can read the badges, see the uniforms, and I know very well exactly who they were, and they were indeed TSA. And no, there should NOT be preferential treatment of the "revenue generators" until they get to their designated gates. Then they can have peeled grapes dropped into their open maws by scantily clad FAs and be serenaded for all I care.

What airport and which terminal do you fly out of? Which is the dominant airline at that terminal?

Sweetie, you get what you pay for...just ask the President!

By the time I get to the gate I've already had my fill of peeled grapes served to me by scantily clad FAs at the 1st class lounge, which I happily pay for.

And while we're at it, since I'm first on the plane, I get my pick of open overhead bins, and I almost always have an open seat next to me for elbow room.

God bless America.

Scantily clad flight attendants? What dream is this from?

My wife and I usually purchase first class seats if the flight is more than a couple of hours. I have yet to experience these grapes and these hot babes you are talking about. As a matter of fact, many times the food served is as crappy as the stuff you are getting in the back of the plane.

Yes, yes, yes--duh! Of COURSE if you pay through the nose for the best hotel room, you should get the best hotel room. The POINT is that we, as taxpayers, are all paying for this together; it is a Federal agency, not a private arm of any particular airline! Yoiks, try to get the intention of the original comment, not wander off into "you get what you pay for" land! People are paying for special treatment on the airplane (or for the club associated with), NOT to be red-carpeted through the federally-mandated security checkpoint.

Let me ask again - what airport, which terminal, which airline?

Please correct me if I'm wrong. But I was at MCO (Orlando) last week and for $80 you can purchase "special treatment." I only glanced at the display, but I did see that they offer anyone (first class and frequent flyers are probably their main targets) the opportunity to go through security, etc, quicker and with fewer hassles. Sounds like a great deal to me (and I don't fly all that much.)

Well, if we're going to get all academic here ... we don't all pay the same amount in taxes. Why, then, should we expect to get treated equally by the TSA? Maybe we need Platinum Taxpayer status to get VIP treatment through the lines at security, and at the MVA, etc.... If you have Gold Taxpayer status, you get to skip the shoe check...

Just take off the flip-flops. They're screening for your safety and yes, sometimes, they seem a little power mad but would you want their job?

Has the TSA forgotten that on 9/11, the bad guys all flew First Class? I think First Class passengers s/b checked even more thoroughly. :-))

On a serious note, I never object to extra screening at the airport.

Preferential treatment by government employees is *NOT* acceptable no matter what kind of B.S. arguments you have about first class passengers generating revenue for airlines.

TSA checkpoints are not airline services.

First class pax have *NO* right to expect preferential treatment there.

If you agree, please complain to the TSA and PLEASE write to your congressmen and demand that TSA employees stop giving perks to high dollar airline customers.

If nobody complains, the wheel will never get greased.

There is no preferential treatment for passengers in the FC or "elite" lines at the airport. They are subject to the same screening as everybody else.

[There are some pilot programs that some frequent flyers can apply to, and subject themselves to some background checks. But that's beyond the scope of this discussion.]

As I said earlier, TSA controls the screening posts, but not the line. And the person who checks one's ID and BP are not TSA either. [Gosh, if a federal agency like TSA would hire those checkers at EWR Terminal C, then I think this country has much more stuff to worry about then a few more 9/11-type attacks.]

Anyways, again it's up to the airport authority and the dominant airline at that particular terminal how to set up the lines, and whether or not there will be a FC/Elite line. TSA doesn't care what class you're flying or if you're elite. Whenever you get to their checkpoint, they'll screen you.

As for flip-flops, I have successfully gone through multiple TSA checkpoints without removing my sports sandals. And no one has uttered a word or put me to secondary screening. I will continue to wear sandals whenever possible through airport security, until my experience changes.

BTW, I have asked the OP twice already which airport does she find TSA agents directing passenger traffic. Only with more information can we suggest her to contact the correct agency about this "problem", if there is a problem. It could be TSA, could be the airline, could be the airport authority. Maybe her congressional representative may help, or not. I'm still waiting for her reply.

I don't agree that it's unamerican. In this country everything is done for money. 1st class tickets are more expensive then couch. Money talk. As everywhere.

Sylvia, you're talking like a socialist demanding equal treatment. If you'd have a 1st class ticket and skip the line, would you go back just because you want equality? I think not!

I will repeat, then never read any more of the elitist drivel spouted here, that it was TSA, TSA, TSA routing everyone with FC into the special line that they set up just for them. AND I'm a FF who uses the benefits derived therefrom to take my family on vacations. AND this behavior has been seen by me in PHX, DEN, SFO, LAX, and Buffalo, more probably, but those are the most recent that have rankled. I'm very happy for those of you who fly first class and expect and deserve those extras--next thing we'll work on is a separate line for, say, voting?

I came to USA 16 years ago. The longer I live here, the more I see "praise the money, down with the population" type of behavior everywhere! And this is in "free-spirited" San Francisco! Can imagine how it is elsewhere in this country!

If you are an american citizen, why are you surprised?

If this is your biggest problem, consider yourself lucky.

I have no problem understanding this. Why would the TSA give a flip whether or not I'm a FC passenger or not. SHouldn't they treat us all with equal disdain? That's America my friend.

sylvia3 i think you re missing the point that the TSA staff's job is screening, not herding passengers. The arrangement of the lanes to get to the screening point are under the control of the local airport and airlines, which in some places offer the perk of expedited access to the screening point based on class of service and/or elite frequent flyer status. Once at the screening point, all passengers are subject to the same taxpayer funded screening process. Sorry if you are offended, but it's just a business practice, not public policy.
Uniformed airline crew members are also given immediate access to the screening point, even before passengers in any elite line. Not sure if that is a TSA or local policy.

sylvia3 -

Here's an article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle about the re-opening of the "elite lines" in 2002:

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/s...wscolumn5.html

The Washington Post has a similar story from just last year. This show the policies are the same:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...080101435.html

Both article states clearly that the lines are manned by airports and airlines. Not TSA. Next time, if you see a TSA agent manning the lines and directing traffic, please note down time and place. And then write to TSA. You can find email to write to on their website. And contact your representative in Washington.

You know, it's funny that I've read complaints from people who feel airline crew (pilots and FAs) shouldn't have dedicated line at INS as well.

That's common practice all around the globe, so it's not even an American problem.

BTW, last time I was in Bristol, UK (BRS), they have an "elite" line for immigration and security while leaving the UK. How un-British was that! ;)

good heavens, why am I complaining? Because it was TSA! (although to correct a misapprehension, it was reference to the elite lines when I listed the several airports). The incident has been noted--but you can bet nothing will happen!

Well, I mildly agree with the OP in principle. I was of the impression that most ariports are government-owned (by the states) even if not under federal control. And as such, I don't think any government service should be based on how much money a person spends at a private business - just like I wouldn't want to see a special line at the post office for people who bought their purse at Hermes instead of Sears.

But, who knows what agreement the airlines have with the airport? Maybe the airlines pay a different (larger) fee to the airport to gain some advantage for its passengers? In that case, the airport's treatment of first class passengers would be part of its business contract with the airlines. And I can't argue with that, as airports have to stay in business or I don't get to travel.

So, is your complain now that federal agents (who're paid by federal taxes) are doing jobs that should be done by airport/airline agents?

Or is it still that elite lines are un-American?

Or both?

BTW, in case anyone wonders, I think TSA is a useless bureacracy that should be dismantled. So, don't think for a second that I'm defending their exitence.

Question from someone who has never flown First Class:

Is there some sort of designation on your boarding pass/eticket (other than a low row number) which identifies a pax as FC? How would a "herder" know automatically that you were a first class passenger? I always thought those express lines were for flight crew only.

joan - I don't know about ALL airlines, but many do print "First Class" or "Business Class" on their boarding pass. Some international airlines use boarding passes with different colors. And domestically, if you're an "elite" that can use the short line, your boarding pass will say "elite" or something like that on it.

Also, airlines give their "elites" a card. Show that to the "herder" and you'll be allowed in that line.

Finally, again, the lines are manned by specific airline(s) at that security checkpoint. For example, here in Houston, if you go to IAH Terminal B, C or E, you'll see the special line for Continental and partner's First, Business and all the Skyteam "elite" customers. That means if you're flying Northwest FC, you can use it. If you're flying Continental coach, but you carry a Delta Medallion card, you can use it.

On the other hand, even if you're flying British Airways First Class, and is a top-level BA elite member, you still CANNOT use the elite lines at B/C/E. I don't think they have an elite line at Terminal D, which BA uses, but I may be wrong.

Converselly, if I am a Continental Elite, but is flying USAirways coach from Terminal A, there's no fast lane I can use either.

Yes - on your boarding pass it will say if you are first or business class.

sylvia - I guess I don't get why you're so upset. Maybe these people have paid to have this special treatment. I'm sure other airports offer frequent flyers and first class the type of deal that MCO does.

And, as far as I'm concerned, I say if you pay more to fly, you should get special treatment - security included. That's the American way!

You could always take the train if it bothers you that much!

Since I fly so much for work, I usually get upgraded to First Class, so I must say I like the shorter lines for first class.

When I don't get upgraded, it sucks!

:O)

Yes, Sylvia3, we all pay taxes. But, perhaps you have heard, it remains a progressive tax system. That means that those who make more, pay more (I know, I know, there are exceptions, but I wrote a check to IRS for $100,000 this winter).

Saying that we all pay taxes advances your argument not a whit.

Just a slight correction here... you DO NOT have to be in 1st or Business to get in that special line. I almost always get to use it in Denver and Dallas (and various other a/p) because I am AA Platinum... even if my ticket cost 100.00. And the prescreen employees at my primary a/p are not TSA.
When I fly to the UK I get to use a fast lane to get through customs at Heathrow because I fly business class.
Ironically the fast lane at DFW is often slower than the regular lane.
At Denver it is always faster because it actually bypasses the crowd directly to the front of the main line vs. a special dedicated check point like DFW.

People, please read <b>rkkwan's</b> posts as he is the only one that has it right. Also <b>TTP</b> just above as he added some more correct info.

The lines to the security checkpoints are manned by people hired by the airline(s) either directly or through an outside contractor. They have NOTHING to do with TSA. TSA doesn't care who goes through the checkpoint next. Whoever is next is next, that's that as far as TSA is concerned.

So, the airline sets up the lines anyway they want and in many if not most of the airports/terminals the dominant airline will have a special line for first class/business class/their elite flyers. The line will end up at the same TSA checkpoints, but it will get ahead of the economy class folks BEFORE it gets there.

<b>sylvia3</b> - you are totally wrong with your understanding of the procedures. I don't care what you think/saw.

after 9-11 there was a common feeling in the US that security hassles were now just a necessary fact of life. in fact, on this forum, there are many posters who will often proudly state that they are willing to endure anything (within reason of course) for increased security. there is almost an air of patriotism in their support for airport security.

decreasing the hassles for &quot;elite&quot; travelers or offering the possibility to pay for express service around the hassles is a sure way to decrease public support for security hassles.

in short, convince people that tragic events have made security hassles a necessary fact of life, then offer a paid service to decrease those hassles. a long term bad idea for the airline business that will backfire. just my opinion.

Another way of looking at this is like the <i>special/shortcut</i> lines to the rides for hotel guests/VIPs at Disney/Universal parks?

That's all this is. It's a <i>special/shortcut</i> line for the airline's better customers to get to the inspection point. The inspection point(TSA) does not decide who gets there and how.

Once you get to the TSA checkpoint, everybody gets the same treatment, regardless of your class of service and/or airline status.

The original post has a total misunderstanding of the procedure. The lines to the check point and how they are set up has nothing to do with TSA and/or your tax money.

Excellent example and explanation, AAFF.