Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Home › News › Local News

DIA offers pick of lines

Security experiment aimed at saving time

John C. Ensslin

Published February 18, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

Text size  

More Local News

More stories »

Travelers going through security at Denver International Airport starting Wednesday will have the choice of schussing through an expert lane or hopping along the bunny slope of a family-friendly line.

But watch out for the airport equivalent of ski moguls if you hazard the black-diamond expert lane burdened with multiple pieces of luggage. You could wipe out.

Denver is one of two airports where the Transportation Security Administration is trying a two-week pilot project that will allow passengers to select the line they feel is most appropriate for them. A similar experiment began Wednesday in Salt Lake City.

At DIA, the pilot project will be limited to the north security checkpoint, said TSA regional spokeswoman Carrie Harmon.

People lining up there will see a round green sign for families and travelers requiring special assistance, a square blue sign for the casual traveler who typically carries more and heavier luggage and a black diamond for the briefcase-toting expert traveler.

"The idea is to let passengers determine - based on their experience and needs - which lane is more appropriate," Harmon said Sunday.

In Salt Lake City, TSA officials reported a positive response to the experiment.

"Most people are pretty considerate. They go to the lane that is most appropriate to them," said Earl Morris, U.S. security director at the Salt Lake City airport.

Morris said the most popular lane option was the "green circle" line. Families with strollers needed "very little coaxing" to use it, he said. "They just make a beeline for it."

No one will be tossed from the fast lane, though anyone there shouldn't expect extra help, Morris said.

"What happens when you mix all your passengers together, those who travel very little get very little assistance," he said of the current approach to screening.

One travel industry official praised the innovation.

"There's always been frustration" among seasoned fliers stuck behind novices who may not know about removing shoes for screening," said Bill Connors, executive director of the National Business Travel Association.

ensslinj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5291; Bloomberg News Service contributed to this report.

Line choices at DIA

A new program at one security checkpoint at DIA will allow people to choose one of three lanes before passing through metal detectors:

The green circle line: For families, groups, first-time fliers and travelers requiring special assistance

The blue square line: For the frequent traveler with a few carry-on bags

The black diamond line: For the briefcase-toting expert traveler or anyone who packs light

Comments

  • February 18, 2008

    2:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    billbradshaw writes:

    Scary............just another "plan." When the First Class passengers land at the same time as the last row of passengers in coach, what in the hell's the major difference?

    Can you imagine all the diversified groups of people: the black diamonds, blue squares and green circles...jockeying to get themselves into the proper line?

    Will we wear the "Hello, My Name Is (fill in name)labels in the proper shape and color?

    Well, after we get through all of that stuff --- we can board, time permitting.

  • February 18, 2008

    3 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jamesdenver writes:

    Uh I disagree. This is actually a decent and logical attempt at speeding things up. I travel frequently and am savvy at navigating lines and knowing what gets x-rayed and what stays on me. Why should I wait behind a crowd of bumblers who take three tries through the machine before emptying out their forgotten pockets.

    Likewise if I'm carrying things or traveling with relatives or family members that require more time and some breathing room I won't hold up those in a hurry.

    I think it's a great idea. james http://www.futuregringo.com

    p.s. as for FC landing when coach does? Irrelevant. This is about streaming the security process. And FC gets to leave the plane first - where row 30 requires an extra 15 minutes.