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TSA to Create new Green "Family" Lane
As holiday travel kicks into high gear, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has unveiled another tier to their security line scheme for getting passengers through checkpoints efficiently.The basic system instilled earlier this year is currently called the "black diamond" self select system, which effectively attempts to separate passengers at the security checkpoint into groups. Those who know what they're doing, or the experienced travelers move (quickly) through the black diamond line while the casual or inexperienced traveler will move (slower) through a separate blue square line.
Now there is a third group: The Green Circle line is designed for families traveling together and for those with medical liquids over 100mL. Theoretically, I suppose this would also be the slowest.
Note, if you have liquids still adhering to the 3-1-1 rule, you should still go through your regularly scheduled line.
In concept, black diamond self select system is a good idea, stratifying the hurried, experienced traveler away from the casual, relaxed passenger who takes his or her time at the checkpoint. But in practice, does it work? Say you're a casual traveler, are late for your flight and show up to find that the black diamond line is 1/4 the length of the blue square line. You're going to go to the short, line, right? Will things equalize out independent of line designation?
For the sake of less mayhem at the security checkpoint, I hope it works out. Stay tuned for some reports from the field.
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Filed under: Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Debbie Dubrow Nov 18th 2008 12:30PM
We've had this system in Seattle for a while now & as a parent who travels frequently with her kids, I can confirm that it is the slowest (which makes it tough with very young kids).
That said, I've noticed that at many airports TSA has also figured out how to make the family line more convenient for families. In San Francisco and some other airports, kids are offered a sticker for walking through the metal detector, there are usually extra staff on hand to help parents get their gear off the conveyor belt, and there's extra space (sometimes with child-sized chairs) for getting shoes back on.
Debbie
http://www.deliciousbaby.com
Making Travel With Kids Fun
Jon Nov 19th 2008 9:50AM
So now (potentially) terrorist will be accompanied by a child? Great!
This is a good read....
10 Useful Secrets the Major Airlines Don’t Want You to Know
http://www.curiousread.com/2007/10/10-useful-secrets-major-airlines-dont.html
JD
TSA Officer Nov 20th 2008 8:08PM
We have all trained to accommodate families and test all of their liquids that said we just have to figure out how to get all of these people to divest everything. After 2 + years most travellers still don't know what a liquid, gel, or cream is. If it is spreadable, it falls into this category. Peanut butter, cottage cheese, yogurt, humus, spreadable cheese, suntan lotion, face cream, shampoos, toothpastes, sealed or unsealed bottles of waters or other drinks, non-presription ointments, jams and jellies, honey, etc,etc,etc. DO YOU GET THE IDEA. You can not bring these items into the secured area of the airport. If they are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces, regardless if they are half full or less. People that try to bring these items in are only slowing down the process for everyone. Check a bag with the airline and put all of these items in that bag. Surely you can live without them for 2 - 3 hours. if your perfume costs $150, why would you not pay to check your bag rather than risk losing it at the checkpoint. Do not rely on the media for current regulations. Check with www.TSA.gov and read the entire guide, not just the part you want to hear. Hopefully we will all have a safe holiday season. You don't want to aggravate me and I don't want to aggravate you either. Please stop using the line, " they let me take it in Philly" We know that no one is perfect and some airports are so understaffed that it becomes impossible to stop everything. Remember our main focus is still on weapons and explosives. If you got your shampoo or shaving cream through once, it was a mistake. We will catch it and you will not be allowed to take it unless you check the bag. Get over it. Help us keep everyone safe.
kevin Nov 19th 2008 10:56AM
In concept some of this is a good idea, but in reality it sucks. I would consider myself an expert, I fly at least 120,000 miles per year which equates to about 100 flights. More often than not, when I get in the expert line there is a family from some foreign country that is clueless trying to get through, or some guy with a world championship rodeo belt buckle trying to walk through the detector.
askJustice Nov 19th 2008 11:14AM
Hey "TSA OFFICER"
-
"After 2 + years most travellers still don't know what a liquid, gel, or cream is"
And apparently TSA officers don't either
CREAM CHEESE is NOT a liquid or a gel. I work in one city and live in another - so when there are products that I have at home but cannot find in the city where I work, I tried to bring it (pineapple cream cheese)- Seriously in what science (class) is CHEESE a gel? I mean unless you are bringing Velveta and a frickin' BLOW TORCH.
Also and why don't any of you know what FILM is?? I have a very clear ruling that says film exposed more than 5 times will be damaged. But the local TSA says VCR Tapes (uh -cartridges with FILM inside) are not film? I have have dozens of tapes damaged and TSA rather spend 30 minutes arguing and flitting around rather than swab the tape.
Ray Nov 19th 2008 6:30PM
Sometimes it isn't the families that hold up the lines. The "expert" travelers hold it up more. They have to take their laptop out of the case, plus they have carryon's plus their shoes and their jackets. I have spent as much time waiting behind an expert traveler as behind families. I personally don't carry anything on - I think WE are the people that should have an express line.
g norman Nov 19th 2008 12:41PM
hey askjustice...
FYI vcr tapes do NOT contain film. They contain magnetic tape. NOT the same thing and TSA is correct, it is NOT FILM in there.
cak Nov 19th 2008 1:16PM
gnorman -
First off the TSA agents- when I asked what was in the cartridge said FILM.
Secondly - it is magnetized and DAMAGED by those screening machines -
ANd I honestly don't give damn about your semantics - I wrote the TSA asking for an official ruling since taking my videos through was consistently damaging them - and the TSA wrote back consistently using the term FILM - if they didn't think it was synomous WTH didn't THEY answer /distinguish between TAPE and FILM?
Red State Nov 19th 2008 1:58PM
The first thing President Obama should do to help make the country safer is close down TSA. Everything they do at airports makes us less safe, not more safe. We are treated as the enemy. TSA is Bush's Gestapo organization and needs to be eliminated and its directors prosecuted. Then a real airport security system needs to be put in place.