am heading to NY tomorrow, the first trip since the terror plot in the UK was uncovered and the travel industry was thrown into mayhem. I have traveled so much over the past 10 years (plus growing up in an airline family) that I think I have seen it all. Well, according to the news, tomorrow might begin a new chapter in my travel life. I will call that chapter "Hell".
I take day trips to NY and if I have to check a freakin briefcase every single time, I might start taking Amtrak. Plus, and this is getting a little personal, I have a toothbrush and toothpaste in my briefcase that I will not be able to take (if they allow me to carry it on). And of course I have to stop carrying my ACME Bomb Making Kit (Road Runner? Beep Beep. Anyone? ring a bell? hello? anyone? tip your waitress. try the veal).
I was suppose to head to NY today but cancelled. So tomorrow I get to experience the new security craziness that unfortunately has become a part of our lives. I might just be tuned in to it more, but it seems like there has been more violence, natural disasters and general ugliness in the news lately. It could be that the media has totally given up on their responsibility to report unbiased news and now just report on what sells advertising, but I am pretty good with following respectable news sources and seem to read alot about bad things. Just an observation.
I had one thought on how to make airplane travel better. I, a business traveler, am like a lot of other people in that we know how to get through security with the least amount of hassle. I know what will set off the metal detector (my watch), I know what has to come out of my bag (laptop), I know what should be put in a bin (sports jacket) and what should not (shoes). I know what to expect and am ready when my time comes to walk through the gate. But there are many people who do not know what to expect. They go through this painfully slow process of seeking information while the conveyor belt spins away empty, slowly experimenting with what piece of cheap jewelry will make it through the screen, and generally slowing the already slow process for the rest of us.
Now, I have nothing against these people. They travel once every couple of years, if that, and need to take their time. It's a dangerous time and we need to be careful. But there are us fools who have no choice and I think there should be a way to make it easier. So here is my proposition.
Make a security line at the big airports, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, not the Marine Air Terminal since most of those people are business travelers, that is just for the frequent flyer. Put in a line that is for someone who is a registered frequent flyer - business man, retiree who travels, off duty airline employee. Charge them 100 bucks a year and make them prove that they travel alot. To make them prove it, have them submit a statement with their frequent flyer miles. If they travel 25K or more a year, then they can be part of this line.
If this line at an airport is not being used at any particular time, then open it up to the general public. Also, let the pilots and flight attendants use it. They jump in front of the long lines now so they can get to Starbucks and sip their latte faster, so why hot let them have access to it.
So that is my thought. Let some of us pay for the faster security line. I would pay 100 bucks to do that. If I could be in line with others who know what to expect, know what to do, and can do it quickly, that would make my life a little easier. And let's be honest, making my life easier is what we should all be focusing on.
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