Are “premium” check-in lines really always an upgrade?

by Janice Hough on December 9, 2008

Many airports and airlines have added special check-in and security lines for first class and elite mileage status travelers. But while all these premium lines are considered to be a “perk” are they always worth using? Based on recent experience, I would say, definitely not.

At San Francisco Airport last Friday afternoon, for example, the standard security line was about the same length as United’s first-class and elite line, but the regular line had more lanes open, and thus was going faster. And this has happened before, perhaps because the drop in air travel means less flying by occasional travelers.

At Kona Airport, a first-class and premier line for checkin had about four people in it, but the two people actually at the front dealing with agents were having problems, one requiring a lot of apparent phone time, another involving some sort of baggage issue.

In the meantime, the economy line zipped right along. Washington Dulles Airport often has the same problem, with so many elite fliers that many savvy travelers often check in at the “regular” lines.

Also at Kona, TSA cheerfully was sending most adults over to the faster security line…which had backed up considerably, while one family was in the family line. And yes, they took a while, but the overall time waiting behind them was much less..

In addition, at “fortress hub” airports, for security it can be faster to forgo the premium and main line for the dominant carrier — Delta at Cincinnati for example — and simply use the security line meant for smaller carriers. (If anyone has other specific examples or suggestions from recent travels, comments are encouraged below, and could help fellow Tripso.com readers.)

Of course, often the premium lines really can be time-savers.

Frequent travelers tend to know what they are doing and can both check-in and clear security faster. But for elite and first-class travelers who are really in a hurry, the best option might be just to quickly check out the alternatives, especially if the premium line looks long.

Those regular lines may not feel as “special,” but isn’t the most special thing about any line how quickly you can get through it?

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Tagged as: fortress hub, premimu lines, TSA

  • Stephanus Surjaputra

    I noticed this also. I was at LAX this past thanksgiving on my way to New York. They had two security lines, one for elites/first class and one for regular, that led to the TSA agent checking your boarding pass and ID. They only had one agent checking, so the two lines merged.

    They kept the first class/elite people line waiting while they kept allowing the regular folks to go forward.

  • Frank

    I talked to a skycap the other day, he said, passengers wont even pay the extra TWO DOLLARS for curbside check-in in addition to the BAG CHECK FEES.

    I think this will work ONLY if you’re really, really late and you may miss your flight, dont ya think?

  • http://www.ffocus.org Bruce InCharlotte

    At CLT, most travelers don’t realize that the concourses are all connected. You can enter through ANY of the security gates and you have the full run of the airport. Just because you are flying United at gate A2, you can use the “elite” line at “C” security and walk to that area easily once you’re through. Also, the sign doesn’t specify only US Airways “elite” customers.

  • Peter D

    Elite lines to the security check are undemocratic and un-American. The TSA people are govt employees; the airport would not have been built without public funds. Should the Lexus owner to the front of the line at the DMV?

  • Scott in Detroit

    Recently, while coming back from Paris, OpenSkies provided access to the elite lines at Orly. Here, these lines were normally reserved for diplomatic travelers, and thus service was immediate and pristine.

    In response to Peter D, who whines that elite services are “undemocratic”: You clearly are no business traveler. However, if you paid for Sky Box seats for the local Nascar race, I feel quite certain you’d insist upon access to the Sky Box bar, private restrooms, premium parking, and the separate entrance.

    Elite security lines are typically used by individuals who travel for a living. WIth very tight schedules and plenty of practice, we know how to move through screening efficiently, without separate trips back to remove place shoes, wallets, coats, and coins individually through the x-ray scanner.

    If you feel entitled to an everyman experience, ride Greyhound.

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