Midway Airport tries a new way to speed security lines (Winging It)

Midway Airport tries a new way to speed security lines

Here's an idea that perhaps PHL should try. Chicago's Midway Airport, like PHL a city-owned facility, has created three security-checkpoint lines based on symbols used on ski slopes: green for beginners, blue for those with some experience and black for experts at getting through the process. Read a Chicago Tribune story about it, and tell us what you think by making a comment.

Posted by Tom Belden on May 8, 2008 11:12 AM | Permalink

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Comments (4)

Mark Arnold:

Seattle-Tacoma has had a two lane system for a good while. I wonder where the idea started?

Posted by Mark Arnold | May 8, 2008 3:47 PM

Posted on May 8, 2008 15:47

Jack McGrath:

At Seatac, it works adequately, but often the TSA folks "disperse" traffic accordingly into lanes which may be less crowded...

So a "beginner" might be "re-directed" to the "advanced" lane at the top of the process, and that gums it up near the bottom -- resulting in some ineffiencies...

Posted by Jack McGrath | May 8, 2008 8:25 PM

Posted on May 8, 2008 20:25

Matt:

There is some more info on this at http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2008/02/what-is-your-lane-go-at-your-own-pace.html

They have implemented the new lineup at Orlando International Airport where I had the chance to go through it in mid April.

In my experience, Orlando is usually one of the faster security checkpoints anyway, so I don't know how the "self select" really helped move things along.

I went through the "expert traveler" line along with mostly business travelers. However, I did notice two families with strollers in line, one person with a suitcase that was way too big to carry on, and one person took a bottle of water out of her bag and started drinking it right before she came to the ID checker. So while the concept is good, I think it may need a little more explanation to the non-frequent traveler.

The mixture of travelers in the "casual" and "family" lane was similar, so I'm not sure how many people paid attention to where they should be anyway.

Posted by Matt | May 8, 2008 9:50 PM

Posted on May 8, 2008 21:50

Jim McCloskey:

I like the idea, but would like to know if it REALLY works. I'm thinking that when you get one of those PHL security lines that stretch back to the parking garage, the color won't matter. People, regardless of experience, will head to the shortest line.

Posted by Jim McCloskey | May 9, 2008 8:02 AM

Posted on May 9, 2008 08:02

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