No more special lines at airports

JONATHAN D. SALANT THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Airlines no longer can speed frequent fliers through special lines at security checkpoints.

In one of its first acts since taking over responsibility for airline security this week, the Transportation Security Administration said it is ending airlines' efforts to allow certain passengers, primarily frequent flier and those paying first-class or business-class fares, to avoid lengthy waits.

After Sept. 11, passengers were told to arrive two hours before their flights for more stringent security checks. In response, several airlines set up separate lines for their most coveted passengers.

"The lines have value, not only for those who use them but those who don't," United spokesman Chris Brathwaite said. "They recognize those customers who are most frequently at airports, and at the same time keep those people from being in the other lanes, which shortens the lines for everybody."

The head of an airline passengers' advocacy group said the government's decision could hurt efforts to regain traffic.

"At a time when we're trying to get business travelers back on the airplanes, this could be a big negative because of the hassle factor that many business travelers complained of before these priority lines were put in place," said David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association. "The airlines need these business travelers to return to profitability."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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