Business travelers, families can pick own line at airport
And those family types won't have to listen to the uptight guys in suits grumbling in line behind them.
The Transportation Security Administration has selected the Salt Lake airport to test a new security-checkpoint procedure that separates travelers into three lines based on their airport experience.
The Black Diamond program creates a fast lane for expert travelers, allowing them to zip through security measures — taking off their shoes, removing laptop computers from bags, etc. — without instruction from TSA employees or the delay of rookie passengers.
The express lane, designated by a black diamond surrounding a solo, small-bag-toting traveler, made its debut Thursday at the airport, along with a frequent traveler line for those somewhat familiar with TSA procedures and a line for families and those needing special assistance.
TSA administrator and U.S. Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Kip Hawley visited the airport Friday to tout the program — one of several efforts under way to make the security process more effective and easier for travelers, he said.
Hawley said Salt Lake City was chosen as the site for the Black Diamond experiment because the airport and its executive director, Maureen Riley, are willing to try new things in hopes of improving the travel experience and quality of service at the airport.
"Innovation happens in Salt Lake City," he said. "There's a willingness and eagerness to lead."
Airport officials expect the change to be felt most in Terminal 1, which previously didn't have any kind of frequent-traveler program or first-class lines for travelers, said Earl Morris, Utah federal security director for TSA.
"Every passenger who comes here will be able to designate what level of passenger they are," Morris said. "Those who have families, we can give them more assistance as they come through."
TSA officials plan to introduce the divided lanes next week at the Denver International Airport. The program will be evaluated over several months and then likely expanded throughout the nation.
"We'll be evaluating to see how we can tweak it," Morris said. "But it's here to stay (in Salt Lake City) for a while, if not indefinitely."
Recent comments
Some people say that TSA stands for Thousands Standing Around, and...
Not Enough | Feb. 26, 2008 at 5:54 p.m.
Let's see how people and the media react to a Black line. What...
Black Diamond | Feb. 16, 2008 at 11:49 p.m.
To get through the TSA security screening faster-- particulary in...
Jordan T. | Feb. 16, 2008 at 3:39 p.m.
