TSA Tries Black Diamond Lanes for Savvy Travelers

Does it sometimes seem like you're the only one in the airport security line who knows the drill? There you are, shoes and coat in your hand, all set to buy your liquids and gels at the hotel, while everybody ahead of you is staring at the gray tubs and digging through their way-too-many and way-too-big carry-ons. Why can't there be an express security lane just for experienced flyers like you? Well, that's exactly what the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) is testing at the Salt Lake City airport.

In a test program called "Black Diamond," for expert-only ski slopes, the TSA is allowing Salt Lake City flyers to choose their security screening lane based on how experienced they feel with the process. Passengers using the "black" expert lanes are expected to have their boarding passes out, their shoes and coats off and their laptops open. Other lane choices include the "green" lane for families, and "blue" lanes for passengers with multiple pieces of carry-on luggage.

With Salt Lake City, being a popular ski vacation destination, TSA hopes the ski slope difficulty-related security lane markings will be an intuitive hit with passengers. Savvy flyers should shoos quickly down the black lanes, while families in the green lanes won't feel pressured by more experienced passengers pushing them. The same level of security will be maintained in all of the lanes, according to the TSA.

Quoted in an ABC News report, TSA spokesman Christopher White stated the agency hoped to reduce the stress level of travelers. "Less stress is actually better for security," he said. "Those who are suspicious stand out more."

Also See:
TSA Eases Bans on Lighters and Breast Milk: The 3-1-1 Rule
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