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DIA security lines: Pick 'em

Rocky Mountain News

Published February 20, 2008 at 7:16 a.m.
Updated February 20, 2008 at 2 p.m.

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Passengers try the new pilot security line at 7 a.m. this morning at Denver International Airport. The new system lets passengers choose a line based on how much time and assistance they need. The system, which relies on black, green and blue symbols, is similar to the systems used at ski slopes for difficulty.

Photo by George Kochaniec Jr. © The Rocky

Passengers try the new pilot security line at 7 a.m. this morning at Denver International Airport. The new system lets passengers choose a line based on how much time and assistance they need. The system, which relies on black, green and blue symbols, is similar to the systems used at ski slopes for difficulty.

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DIA travelers can get choosy starting today.

They now have the choice of schussing through an expert security 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 a week ago 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.

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."

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 20, 2008

    2:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aeb1barfo writes:

    It's called SEGREGATION...You remember that word?

    You can spin it any way you like, but it's still divisive and promotes one class of people over another...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_s...

  • February 20, 2008

    2:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    temurlan writes:

    Segregation? Give me a break! Is it segregation if a grocery store has a 15 items or less check-out isle?

  • February 20, 2008

    4:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    aeb1barfo writes:

    Everything is easy when you have MONEY or POWER.

    I posted a bit of HYPERBOLE, bit it is still true..

    It made you respond TWICE....feeling a bit guilty, there?

    ( Oh, I have been treated like a king and had the perks at the airports with Mile High ( UAL ) Clubs ).

    I can compare that to Cattle Car Class. One step away from Steerage Class...

    EVERYONE pays when you have speedy checkout service and EVERYONE gets to use it. No SPECIAL class is reserved for it. TSA wants to give people the " priviliges " of less hassle if you can afford it. You can surrender your rights to privacy to get special privileges too..

    I stand by my words.

  • February 20, 2008

    5:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    JustMe writes:

    Give me a break. This not segregation. This has nothing to do with class, race or origin. It's about how savvy you are with the travel system. There's nothing more frustrating than getting stuck in a security line behind someone with 5 kids who didn't bother to read up on any of the new security requirements. As a frequent traveler, this simply makes life easier.

  • February 20, 2008

    6:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Francesca writes:

    Oh yes, let's segregate the crying baby line from the sales manager line. Definitely barfo.