The much-maligned Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is experimenting with a new plan at Salt Lake City International Airport designed to take some of the stress out of going through security lines. The program, known as Black Diamond, offers travelers the choice of waiting in security lines labeled "Green," "Blue," and "Black Diamond," borrowing the skiing terminology of the nearby slopes.

The "Green" lane is for passengers who may need extra time going through security, like those with special needs and families. The "Blue" lane is for more frequent travelers with a carry-on bag, and the express "Black Diamond" lane is reserved for business travelers and those who travel regularly. The TSA is careful to note that the levels of security in each line will be the same. (Take that, would-be terrorists!)

This program seems like a good idea for just about everyone involved. Families no longer have to endure the impatient glares of hurried business travelers behind them, and frequent travelers who are all-too-familiar with the oftentimes arduous security process get to zip through the line in a fraction of the usual time.

Of course, it's impossible to enforce who goes into which line, since travelers evaluate their own level of travel expertise. It's not hard to imagine families standing in the frequent traveler line ("We take a vacation every year!"), but overall I think the program makes a good deal of sense.

More here.

And read about another of the TSA's efforts to improve its dismal reputation here.

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