Airport Wait Times

I read the TSA is just as peeved by long wait times as the rest of us and is testing 'Diamond Lanes' at some airports. Now whether you arrive at the gate with your shoes off, laptops out, and ready to be frisked; or come wondering if your shampoo is 8 ounces or 4, there's a line for everyone: Expert traveler, casual traveler, or families and special assistance.

Diamond (Lanes) are a girl's best friend...

Sounds interesting, but the whole thing is based on the honor system. Reminds me of when Ned Flanders took over Springfield Elementary and put all the students on the honor system and banished detention, etc. It all makes me wonder why the TSA is even going to bother with their fancy Diamond Lanes if no one is going to actually enforce it. Travelers need rules. Left to our own devices at the airport, it turns into a scene from 28 Days Later. I just somehow doubt anyone, including parents with 16 toddlers, would wait patiently in a line deemed for slow travelers. The second there's long airport delays, everyone's going to make a mad rush for the shortest lines. No one's going to be yelling "Wait, I'm an expert traveler, and you are clearly just a casual traveler! Even though there are only 2 people in this line, you really need to go to that line with 260 people in it over there, for casuals."

The TSA is just setting the stage for classism and travel discrimination! I always knew they were jerks.

"I guess everyone else is stuck in security in the slow
diamond lane. I have the whole place to myself!"

But let's give it a whirl. I hope this idea aids to cut down some of the wait time and keep lines moving. And despite my 28 Days Later reference, I do think there are some travelers who would rather take their time than be rushed, and would prefer a line for this purpose. We'll see how it works out. But in the meantime, I'm going to stick to my system of:

• Pack light and organized. It's easier for screening purposes
  

• Don't check bags

• Bring an extra quart sized bag

• Take off shoes before you get to the security check-point

• Laptop out

• Take belongings outside of security before you put everything back together, letting everyone else have room while still dealing with security

But to know before you go, check the wait time at every security check point in every domestic airport at waittime.tsa.dhs.gov.

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