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Comments (9)
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Save/ShareThe TSA is trying something novel at Denver International Airport: When you reach the security checkpoint, you can choose which line to enter--expert (travel frequently, know the rules), intermediate (not quite an expert, but it's not your first time at the rodeo), and beginner/people who need more time (families, special needs). In a cute touch, they're using traditional ski iconography--black diamond for expert, blue square for intermediate, green circle for beginner. Evidently, the system is working, just as it did during a trial run at Salt Lake City's airport. Thanks to The Travel Insider for pointing this out; he saw it in The Denver Post.
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That's one of the best, simplest ideas I've heard for improving security line navigation in years. Instead of having experienced travelers slowed down by novices, and everyone getting cranky, including security personnel, presumably the newbies can have an informative, positive experience and the frequent travelers can race on through. The ski iconography might not be as obvious to flatlanders like me, but the concept is great.
Posted By Beth Meredith on February 25, 2008, 12:19 PM
Interesting. I've been at DIA four times in the past two weeks, and I didn't see this in use. Certainly, no one pointed me to any different lines.
Posted By Kim on February 25, 2008, 12:19 PM
It's a good idea, but I hope TSA has also instituted appropriate penalties for the travelers who try to game the system by going into the expert line without really having the necessary qualifications. Sending such folk to a special area with full body searches and all the rest would be a start, but perhaps other readers can think of appropriate punishments (other than waterboarding).
Posted By George Lindamood on February 25, 2008, 12:25 PM
As a frequent pleasure traveler,I like the concept but I now have a titanium hip replacement which requires me to have a full body scan every time I fly. I do not want to spend $100 annually to be classified as a "good guy". So while it may help others get through security lines quicker, it will not help me directly. I can only hope that this format will make my non-expert line move much quicker.
Posted By Bob Rini on February 25, 2008, 12:49 PM
I didn't see the green/blue/black skier system at DIA on my recent trip to Saba, N.A.; I did find everybody has to take their shoes off now, so I tucked the laces in mine and put them on as slippers, easy to take off. My ICD didn't set the gate off but it did in Sint Maarten (SXM). Took watch off too; it still went off requiring a patdown or wanding. I think it was set too high. I also had to show my passport 3 times at this airport.
Posted By Roger AC Williams on February 25, 2008, 4:57 PM
I departed from DAI yesterday afternoon and this system was not in evidence. Indeed, in mid-afternoon they shut down one of the scanner lines; I watched the line of passengers behind me grow and grow. It took me only 25 minutes from the time I got in the line--not bad for a Sunday afternoon at a major airport. Had I arrived 25 minutes later I imagine my wait would have been closer to an hour. And they had two or even three TSA personnel examining every passenger's boarding pass and ID. I hope the extra personnel were in training. If not, they could have been used to keep that scanner line in service and maybe even opened another.
Posted By Jim Rettig on February 25, 2008, 8:22 PM
Wow, what a great idea! I hope it works out. Now to teach the non-skiers what the signs mean.
It might also help to have an extra person on hand to wand those of us who have hip or knee replacements. I always make sure we are there early enough to avoid holding anyone up because I need to be wanded. Nancy
Posted By Nancy Gomez on February 25, 2008, 10:04 PM
Expand this nationwide.
Save Time & hassles.
Last time I went thru TSA was in Las Vegas & how agonizing.
Las Vegas alone must adapt system at McCarren Airport.
Do this Nationwide.
Dever idea is great for Denver, how about Miami, Wash DC, Hilo HI, Maui HI,
Kona HI, LA CA, Ontario CA, etc.
Make Niches.
Posted By stephen russell on February 25, 2008, 10:19 PM
It would be nice to have a fourth category for those of us who do fly frequently but have metal in our bodies due to injuries or replacements. Ironically some of these are ski related!
Posted By Betsy Bekken on May 1, 2008, 2:14 PM