Why do 1st Class flyers get swept through security gate?

[Dookus]

I just came back from a little trip. While waiting in LOOOOONG lines to get through the security check, I noticed that there's a separate line for 1st class passengers who get to go right to the front.


Now, if the airlines themselves were running security, I'd say OK. But the security check is run by the TSA, NOT the airlines. Why does having a 1st-class ticket get people special privileges from a government agency?

[Best_man23]

1. They Shouldn't Be Doing That

Most, if not all of the 911 hijackers were seated in first class.

[Dookus]

3. well...

I saw no indication that 1st class passengers weren't being CHECKED as carefully. It's just that they didn't have to wait in line like the rest of us cattle.

It just seems to me that only the airlines should be offering benefits to the first-class flyers, NOT the TSA.

[Exultant Democracy]

For real, I think they were all in first class.

From now on only people flying in the front of the plane should be checked out for 5 minutes. Everyone else should be able to got though the same simple stuff we used too. Unless of course I happen to be flying first class that day :-)

[pw]

2. You think money doesn't run this government?

I expect that the airlines have made some kind of arrangement with TSA, because otherwise they wouldn't sell as many first-class tickets, which are almost infinitely more profitable than the economy-class ones.

[Perky]

4. This is a courtesy

That has been grantef to Frequent FLyers for year. To take it away from us soley becuase someone else is minding the security checkpoint would be ludicrous.

I can assure you the the Frequent FLyer Association pressured the Airlines and the airlines pressured the TSa to continue the custom,

We are not snobs..but we travel constantly to keep the wheels of the economy running. Its a perk..yes...but any one who try to take it away from us roaf warrir would be committing political suicide.


Don't dare try to make this a class warfare issue.Just because I am a million-miler does not make me an elitist snob, rich, or republican.

[SammyWinstonJack]

11. News to me re: frequent flyers

My husband flies every week between three cities and he waits in the same lines as everyone else. I know because I have traveled with him often on a companion pass and we are in the same long lines with the rest of the cattle. No special treatment.

[Dookus]

12. umm...

we ALL keep the "wheels of the economy" running. I used to fly on business all around the world. I usually flew coach. I'm sure, in this economy, many other business travellers fly coach. They are NOT being afforded the same benefit as a first-class passenger.

Sorry, but it's elitist for 1st class passengers to get this kind of special treatment.

Now... if the TSA wants to charge some fee for expedited security, that's available to everyone, that's OK by me. But giving more money to airline shouldn't entitle you to get in front of me in line.

[damnraddem]

22. Nor does it mean ...

that you're any less of a terrorist than someone in coach.

[mumon]

49. Amen!

What they really ought to be doing is making this whole thing faster and easier.

[davekriss]

56. Ridiculous!

>>...but any one who try to take it away from us roaf warrir would be committing political suicide<<

Perky, unless you're arguing that we're a plutocracy instead of a democracy (and, note, you'll get NO argument from me there), I don't think political careers will be made or broken over this issue.

Also, up until 2002, I too travelled frequently and almost always upgraded to first class (on longer flights I was allowed to buy first class, not just upgrade). I flew LaGuardia, Logan, Miami, Ohare, Midway, Lambert, Ft. Lauderdale, Gatwick, and Seattle routinely; less frequently I'd hit LAX, Oakland, Houston, and a few others. I don't recall a separate line for "first class" to get through the security checkpoint. Either that was available only at other airports, or it is something new. Perq? Yes. Necessary to keep the "wheels of the economy" spinning? Ridiculous!

Are you referring to boarding or the ticket counter? Where, as has been said on this thread, the commercial airline "owns" the privilege of deciding whom it will serve first. At the TSA Security Checkpoint, it should be We the People who decide! And in the absence of any express public opinion, I think our representatives and their appointees should default to the egalitarian option of having us all wait in the same long lines.

[greenwow]

5. Exactly!

I have never seen one of those disgusting rich repugs hassled by security.

[Perky]

8. HA HA

Try and see what happens when you pourchase two one way tickets to fifferent destinations in the same day.


They have unpacked my bags every single time.

[davekriss]

57. Yes -- the curse of the "one way" ticket!

Right after 9-11 I couldn't understand why I was getting subjected to super extra-scrutiny compared to my fellow travellers. My bags were thoroughly searched; I was questioned about my residency to see if I really knew anything about my home town. Didn't take me long to figure it out: I was buying one way tickets hours before my departure. Got a collection of boarding passes with a big red "S" on them, meaning "search this guy!".

To someone who was saying they never saw a rich repug searched thoroughly. I did. Post 9-11 (but Prior to TSA). But my fellow travellers were probably also buying one-way first-class tickets hours before their flights. This did kinda set off a few red flags!

[SyracuseDemocrat]

37. hey now, it's not only republicans

who fly first class, you know? :(

[greenwow]

39. OK, then who can afford

the ridiculous prices that isn't a repug or someone else that made obscene amounts of money dishonestly(which is the same thing)?

[SeattleDem]

6. could they have been frequent fliers?

there was talk of having an expedited process for frequent fliers, many of whom have enough miles to upgrade to first class on most flight anyway.

I used to travel by plane literally daily for work and favored this "benefit" for those whose jobs require the drudgery of airplane commuting.

[tom_paine]

7. Because this is an Empire and they are Aristocracy

I think Frequent Fliers are a very small portion of this issue. I believe that it is a First Class issue.

I know lots of Frequent Fliers who fly coach.

[Perky]

10. Ha again

FFs get upgraded every day. we never use our miles for the upgrade. The airlines are just thanking us bor the business

[tom_paine]

38. Ha yourself

Are you trying to tell me that a sizeable minority (let alone the vast majority that you seem to be painting) of First Class Passengers are merely Frequent Fliers?

If this is the case, just who flew First Class before Frequent Flier Miles?

You're point is bullshit. Pure bullshit.

I maintain that, whatever the proportion of Frequent Fliers in the First Class line (unless it's 90% Frequent Fliers), the point about the double-standard is still valid.

And if, as I suspect, the % of Frequent Fliers flying First Class Upgrades is actually closer to 30% or LESS, then your point, originally just bullshit, now becomes laughable.

:silly: :crazy:

[Perky]

41. On a given flight

say Indy to ATlanta....of the ten first class seats on a 737 6 have road warriors,

I get free upgrades on maybe seven out of ten flights I take which is tyupically around 100 a year.

I don't use my miles to upgrade, they simply reward my loyalty.

7 out of ten people flying first are ffers. Very few people buy first class tickets anymore because they are so expensive.

The privilege with TSA is not due to how much your ticket costs its due to the type of ticket you hold.

[Newsjock]

9. Because it's not about security

The endless lines, shoe-removal fiasco, and intrusive searches do almost nothing to deter potential hijackers. Rather, they further intimidate travelers and reinforce the notion that we're all subservient to the Bush regime. And rich people aren't subject to such treatment, at the airport or anywhere else in Bush's America.

[Fescue4u]

13. Because they pay more

The airlines work with TSA on these sorts of policies

Airlines are desperate to keep their best customers happy.

Not all does first class get through quicker but FF flyers as well.

From the airline perspective, its make alot of sense to keep passengers who spend $50,000 a year on full fair tickets happy, at the expense of fliers who fly once or twice on deep discounted $300 tickets.

Personally, I used to fly alot and easily spent $60,000 a year with Delta. Frankly I expected to give me better service and go the extra mile keep me and my companys money.

Nowadays, I only fly occasionally and have lost my FF elite status. I hate waiting in longer lines, but I understand perfectly.

[Dookus]

14. then...

by the same logic, because I helped the US auto industry by buying a very expensive car, I ought to be able to use the carpool lane whenever I want.

[Fescue4u]

21. Close, but not quite analgous

But I see your point.

If the auto makers had owned the highways for last 50 years, and then they were turned over to government only last year, but automakers still got to choose which type of cars run on the highways, the analogy would be much closer.

I imagine if you had an "GM only" highway, that was previously owned and operated by GM there would still be a special lane for cadillacs.

Remember, at the these checkpoints, sometimes only fliers of a certain airline, or a handful of airlines pass. As such the TSA and the airline work very close.

[damnraddem]

26. To be analogous, the high-ticket car owner could disobey ...

traffic safety laws. That is, analogous if the aim of the security is indeed security. Getting better service in return for paying more has nothing to do with whether or not anti-terrorism Gestapo tactics should or shouldn't be applied to one.

[Fescue4u]

29. first class ticket holders go through the same security

Its not abbreviated for them.

The only difference is that they get a shorter line to stand in.

I've been "shaken down" proably more often as F.C. flier than I have as coach.

[Dookus]

33. I don't really see....

how who USED to be in charge of the process matters much.

The fact remains, the taxpayer-funded TSA NOW runs the process, and I don't see why some passengers are "more equal than others."

I understand that it hurts to have a perk taken away. But it's just that, a perk, not a right.

[davekriss]

58. Now there's a thought!

The Lexus/BMW/Mercedes lane!

[Dookus]

59. What?

no jaguars?

[snooper2]

15. Because...

Half of the 9/11 hijackers stayed in first class. At least that's what the 9/11 report said.

[Dookus]

16. not sure...

I understand your point, snooper.

[Lurking Dem]

17. I fly First Class

and I'm handicapped. I get checked all the damn time.

Many of the airports DO now have a special line for handicapped. They didn't used to and it was horrible to stand there braced and crutched inching your way through the line.

[Dookus]

19. ok...

First, I would have no objection for expedited security for people with physical reasons not to stand in a long line.

Second, people seem to think I'm talking about people NOT getting checked. This is not the case. The first-class people ARE being checked, and as far as I know, the same way coach passengers are. In fact, the people working the security gate don't even KNOW who's first class and who's not. The "regular" line and the "first-class" line both merge at the security checkpoint. The only advantage is that the first-class people get to jump to the head of the line.

That's what I object to.

[Lurking Dem]

25. Okay I get what you're saying.

Given what I have to spend on 1st Class seats I wouldn't have a huge problem with it but I've only had such at the ticket counter, not at security.

[Fescue4u]

30. Its seems to vary greatly by airport

Someport have the F.C. short lines, others don't

[Dookus]

34. agreed....

airlines DO have short lines for first-class passengers to check in. I have no objection to that. You're paying the airline lots of $$ and they can do whatever they want.

But the security checkpoint is a FEDERAL GOVERNMENT process, and I don't see why all citizens aren't treated equally. In fact, isn't this a violation the Equal Protection clause?

[CO Liberal]

18. Because Everyone Knows Terrorists Always Fly Coach!!!

No sense inconveniencing the good Republicans in First Class now, is there????

<sarcasm off>

[Fescue4u]

23. I don't think this a republican thing...

I've seen some pretty prominant liberals up front in first.

[damnraddem]

20. Oh, terrorists would NEVER fly first class.

And besides, if they lay out the money to do so, they deserve whatever they want, including blowing the plane up or crashing it into a building. ;-)

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

24. you mean you really don't know?

they don't call it "first class" for nothing :)

[ShaneGR]

27. I don't have a problem with that

Because they pay more. Personally, I think they should have their own line. If I paid all of that extra money for a ticket I would be pretty pissed if I had to wait with everyone else. Now, I can say that I haven't seen this in the airports I go through though.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

31. after all, if you can afford to pay more

you deserve, nay, are ENTITLED to, better treatment.

[Fescue4u]

32. Not afford...if you PAY MORE

Then yes, you are entitled to better treatment.

Airlines don't give a hoot how much money you have. They do care how much you pay.

[Dookus]

35. again...

I don't care if the airlines give free blowjobs to people in first class. They can do whatever they want for their customers.

But the security check is a federal function. I pay more income taxes than most people.... should I get special treatment?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

36. there is this amazing coincidence

the more money you have, the more you can afford to pay.

Kind of like - if the customer is always right, isn't the customer with the most money the righest of them all?

[cmf]

28. So that's what the short line was!

I just got back from Honolulu and there was a "Gold Members'" line through security. I didn't know what a Gold Member was. The regular line was a bitch, tho. It took us 1.5 hours to get through security. I've had bad experiences flying out of HNL, but that's a whole 'nother thread. I haven't noticed any special treatment for first class flyers at SeaTac.

[Perky]

43. SeaTac is in the Dark ages

Alaskan AIr has tried to get them to change the rules. but to no avail.. One pilot I know says that its the result of bad blood between the airport manager and Alaskan's hub manager.


GO figure.

[drdigi420]

40. Because rich people are better than you

and they deserve more

and they don't have to follow the law

and they don't have to tell you whether or not they used cocaine

and they shouldn't have to pay taxes like the rest of us

and who are you to question them?


<sarcasm off>

[Perky]

42. This is nothing less than reverse snobbery

I can't believe anyone would seriously want to make a class warfare issue out of what line you get to stand in at the airport>

Bottom Line....If I choose to spend most of my travel budget with one airline and as a result they reward me with elite status for my loyalty....good for me and kudos to them for shrewd thinking.


If a residual perk is that I get to stand in line less because I spent 10 hours a week on planes and suffering the same connection problems as everyone else...So be it.

By god I deserve some consideration....by God I have paid dearly for it!

[Dookus]

44. no....

exactly wrong.

Since the security check is a federal function, should people who pay more federal taxes get preference?

You pay your money to the airline. They can put you in a lounge, give you a cushy seat and a great meal and as I said above, even a blowjob, and I don't care. You paid for it.

But we are ALL paying for the security check. In fact, federal security taxes on tickets are NOT a percentage of the ticket price. They're fixed. You're not paying one dime more for security than I am.

[yankeedem]

45. Rich person=someone who makes $1 more than you

It is discouraging that many so called "progressives" here are bigoted against people that have more than they do.

Blacks, whites, Catholics, agnostics, Republicans, Democrats, Green ,rich, poor, all hate against a group of people is bigoted and repugnant to anyone who truly believes in social justice.

Many on the right like to put people in small little boxes. Let's not use their same tactics here.

[Dookus]

46. what bigotry?

Who's being bigoted against anybody?

The issue is whether a federal function should give favorable treatment to somebody who pays more money to a private corporation. I think the answer is No.

[yankeedem]

47. Go a ballgame sometime

I pay money to a private corporation to see a ballgame. If I pay $200, I sit right up front in the city owned ballpark (Yankee Stadium). If I pay $10, I sit 500 ft. away.

I basically agree however with your position, however it is certainly replicated elsewhere. I just see it as part of the grease that makes things work. If someone saving 30 minutes in security lines inspires then to put $500 or more in the economy, that's ok with me.

You're not being a bigot, but I see class hate here on this thread . Because someone has more than someone else doesn't make them a better person. It also doesn't make them a worse person.

[Dookus]

51. Hrmm...

not really the same. You pay for a better seat, you get a better seat, just like on an airline. But you still wait in the same line *I* do to get into the stadium.

[yankeedem]

54. Uh, well, no

Actually there are entrances just for season ticket holders of the good seats, "Diamond Club" or whatever.

[Dookus]

55. whatever...

the fact is that the government is not giving you special treatment because you have a good seat. While NYC may own the stadium, Yankee Stadium is not a government agency.

[mumon]

48. Not just 1rst class. Frequent Flyers, too.

And, frankly, as a frequent flyer, I can't complain. ALOT of infrequent flyers just don't have the routine down. Sorry if that offends folks, but why should frequent flyers have to wait for the newbies to figure out that they've got to put their cell phones away?

[Dookus]

50. I think....

the class somebody's flying in has little to do with how quickly they can pass through a security check.

When I flew last week, I was incredibly fast going through. I had one small cloth bag with me, into which I put everything on my person. I sent it through the machine and walked through the metal detector.

Many business travellers have to put two carry on's on the belt, take out their laptops, etc.

But it's beside the point. The point, again, is that the security check is a federal process, funded EQUALLY by all passengers and taxpayers.

[mumon]

52. And so it comes down to a question of SERVICE

And I have no problem with frequent flyers getting better service.

Many first class passengers, btw, are - especially these days- frequent flyers, too. (Somehow they don't get that in coach- it is ridiculous to be upgraded & treated like royalty as your colleagues get the shaft in the back of the plane, but that's another rant.)

Look, ultimately, the airlines need those customers.

"Many business travellers have to put two carry on's on the belt, take out their laptops, etc."

Yeah, I do, and I do it faster than most folks with one cloth bag.

I fly alot, and like I said, the objective should be "make ther service better."

You want something really to complain about?

Try coming into this country.

The queuing for immigration is optimally bad. The best is 1 line for all servers, with the person in the front of the line going to the next available server. The jerks in immigration force ALL people to make long lines behind each server. And they know this too.

[Dookus]

53. I just DID...

fly into the country. I got lucky. There was no line at all, but I did a lot of international business travel, and it's usually dismal.

My problem, though, is that THIS time, the security gate lines were outrageous.

And I'll repeat my mantra:

you're paying the AIRLINE for good service, and you're getting it. A better seat, better food, etc. etc. But we're ALL paying the same amount for security, and deserve equal treatment.