If only there was status for the security queue

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Jleno

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Nov 27, 2011
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I have no status and for me, the benefits of having status is more of a 'nice to have' rather than someone I would pay money to chase for given I don't travel for work. And I know for many one of the great benefits of status is skipping the queue on board.

But I would KILL to have some sort of status to jump the security queues. That, I would give an arm and a leg for. Queuing to get on the plane is not a big deal given you have allocated seating anyway. However I hate the stress of not knowing if you'll miss your flight because you're lining up behind scores of people who decide it's a great idea to travel with metal all over their bodies that they'll have to remove for the metal detector.

That's why I love Changi - security at the gate. No risk of missing flights.
 
I have no status and for me, the benefits of having status is more of a 'nice to have' rather than someone I would pay money to chase for given I don't travel for work. And I know for many one of the great benefits of status is skipping the queue on board.

But I would KILL to have some sort of status to jump the security queues. That, I would give an arm and a leg for. Queuing to get on the plane is not a big deal given you have allocated seating anyway. However I hate the stress of not knowing if you'll miss your flight because you're lining up behind scores of people who decide it's a great idea to travel with metal all over their bodies that they'll have to remove for the metal detector.

That's why I love Changi - security at the gate. No risk of missing flights.

Virgin and Qantas both have priority screening at most major ports, as well as business class guests and status guests getting express passes internationally.
 
I got stuck in the priority screening lane yesterday in Melbourne.

The x-ray guy insisted on stopping the whole show while someone first rooted around their bag to find a couple of aerosol cans.

My flight went from boarding to final call to closed while I waited for the machine to disgorge my bag, shoes and laptop. Lucky I only had to make it to gate 1..
 
I know for many one of the great benefits of status is skipping the queue on board. But I would KILL to have some sort of status to jump the security queues. That, I would give an arm and a leg for.

Yes, that exists.
 
Very funny to see when some people are automatically queuing at the priority screening even when the other "regular" queues are much shorter and run faster.
 
NOW my mission for status begins.

Does status itself give priority security or do you actually need to have a J or F ticket that day?

You'll find lots of help here. :)

In Australia, both VA and QF provide priority screening (at major airports) based on status alone. YMMV with other airlines in other countries.
 
ImageUploadedByAustFreqFly1372479077.029877.jpg

Here's the priority lane I went through today at OOL.

The line was shorter here but not when I got to the benches.

I got priority screening in F on DL tickets in PDX & SFO which was very much welcomed. But I still had to take my shoes off. I even got explosive swabbed at SFO.
 
Very funny to see when some people are automatically queuing at the priority screening even when the other "regular" queues are much shorter and run faster.

That's happened to me afew times before (In the few times thus far I've been able to use the priority lane anyway)... I can't fadom why/how it happens, but yea... Annoying <_<
Just a bad run of luck me thinks?!

EDIT: OH OH, just remembered the last time I used priority at BNE; Was "randomly" selected to have me and the bags swabbed after going through security in under a minute, and the machine backfired 3 times... They had to replace the cloth, which just ate up more time - Not exactly anyone's fault, but it didn't make my experience all that great :(
 
Detouring slightly from the topic and talking about behaviour at security queues, I still cannot believe earlier this year at YVR when I saw in the bin right next to the security check that had a full sized bow and arrow sticking out of it.

Seriously. Someone actually thought there was a chance they could get that through security?
 
Detouring slightly from the topic and talking about behaviour at security queues, I still cannot believe earlier this year at YVR when I saw in the bin right next to the security check that had a full sized bow and arrow sticking out of it.

Seriously. Someone actually thought there was a chance they could get that through security?
I could understand why someone might think they'd get just the bow through.

Come to think of it, maybe the arrows as well if they'd had the heads removed.
 
My company pays for/is given a service with AirFrance that to me is the ultimate in security line status.

The Distinguished service treats you as a F pax despite only being in J.

  • A host meet you at the plane
  • Usually on a golf buggy they escort you to F lounge
  • If you pass through security, they simply walk up to the scanners making everyone else wait, including priority queue
  • They come in to the lounge and tell you it's time to go
  • They move the bollards and push in front of the queue to board the plane

  • They accompany you until you are sitting in your seat



I love it, I guess it is how celebs get treated all the time.
Other pax do get upset, but the ensuing arguments are amusing.

That's why I love Changi - security at the gate. No risk of missing flights.

If you have status you don't like Changi because there is no premium lane... on QF anyway
 
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"I could understand why someone might think they'd get just the bow through.

Come to think of it, maybe the arrows as well if they'd had the heads removed. "

The passenger or the arrows? :)

"
 
Most (if not all) gates at Changi have premium boarding - it's just not very obvious.

I find they quite often amalgamate the lines into one general line. But I don't pass through there that frequently.
 
Status with an airline will generally get you priority through security (domestic and international) and immigration. The other way to get status internationally is to have an APEC card. This is a godsend if you travel in Asia - especially China - but the qualification conditions have become much more onerous in the past few years.
 
Don't try your luck in Perth on most mornings. An astute eye will pick the priority lane if you have status unless there is an old 'Mrs Jones' with more jewelry than Mr T, that's when i bug out and head for the general lane. Lately they have opened up the status lane to include more scanners but those may remember when it was only 1 scanner and the queue went out the door-even when the general lane was relatively empty! I still have a chuckle when the status lane gets clogged up and the muffled curses and the watch checkers show themselves up.
 
I find they quite often amalgamate the lines into one general line. But I don't pass through there that frequently.

I managed to miss any priority lane at Changi twice. Holding F ticket on SQ, the lady in front of me noticed my boarding card says - "you should just walk up to the front" Told her the plane was not going to leave any time soon, so why look like a snob and push in, I would only have to sit with everyone else again on the other side of the scanners.
Will be back at Changi next month, will take a serious look to see if there is any priority lane.
 
The only priority queue I would want to see is one titled "People who have everything out and are ready to put through the x-ray machine"...

I stand in line with my laptop and liquids bags out, my mobile, wallet and other pocket items are placed into my bags already. I'm more than happy to jump past someone whos there unpacking their bags on the security bench.
 
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The only priority queue I would want to see is one titled "People who have everything out and are ready to put through the x-ray machine"...

I stand in line with my laptop and liquids bags out, my mobile, wallet and other pocket items are placed into my bags already. I'm more than happy to jump past someone whos there unpacking their bags on the security bench.

Reminds me the security check scene from 'Up In The Air', so funny :)
Its all about choosing the right queue...
 
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