Elite lines at airport security irk some travelers — but there are more on the way

Air traveler Pat Taylor was angry about waiting in a long security line in Salt Lake City's airport while Delta's first-class, business-class and elite frequent fliers breezed through a separate security line.

"I consider it outrageous that those who buy more expensive tickets jump this taxpayer-funded line," said Taylor, of Washington D.C. And, she asked, how can taxpayers protest?

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration, which staffs the checkpoints, would seem the obvious place to complain. Not really, said spokeswoman Amy Kudwa.

"How people are queued before reaching security is up to the airlines," she said. The airlines employ the workers who check travelers' boarding passes and IDs before allowing them to proceed to TSA checkpoints. There are such special lines in other U.S. airports, including Sea-Tac Airport where the favored travelers of Alaska Airlines and some other carriers can zip to security. It's airlines' way of rewarding their most high-paying and frequent passengers.

Of course, the government could ban the airlines from creating special lines en route to security checkpoints. But it hasn't, and indeed it's moving closer toward elite lines through its proposed Registered Traveler program. That's an expedited service that would speed travelers through security if they agree to a background check, pay a $30 fee to the TSA plus fees to private companies that administer the program. Best guesses are the private background-check companies will charge about $100 to sign up, plus a yearly fee.

The TSA is accepting comments on its draft proposals for the Registered Traveler through the close of business Wednesday. Go to www.tsa.gov and type "registered traveler" in the search field for details. Or email comments to: rtstandards@dhs.gov