Traveling

Every now and then, there's an idea that makes good sense…like seat belts and soft-serve ice cream. Brilliant. I have read that some airports have revamped their security check-through process. Allelulia. The traveler, however, still has to go through the same hell of undressing and redressing in a public place…but the process is run a little differently. I think the idea makes good sense:

The TSA in some airports have set up lanes according to 3 different types of travelers. They are set up like a ski mountain…where slopes are designated as either expert, intermediate, or beginner.

So the expert lane is for the experienced frequent traveler…the business traveler. The intermediate lane is for the casual traveler…those who need a little more time than the frequent flyer. And the blue lane is for families with children and those with special needs requiring assistance.

When I first heard about it…I thought…damn good idea. That’s until I remembered what skiing is like. Will the traveler really stick to the lane he belongs in?

When I’ve skied, it is amazing how many times I’ve seen someone on a black diamond slope who has no business being there…someone totally out of control. Okay, that was me. But that wasn’t my fault. There is always someone who wants to get you out on an expert slope, just to see what happens to you…just for giggles.

I can see the exact same thing happening in the airport. Some chucklehead thinks he’s an experienced flyer because he once flew on a plane to Toledo. He doesn’t understand why he can’t be in the fast lane. So he maneuvers his way over to the frequent flyer lane. And holds everybody up. The people behind him are not giggling.

Then again, there is the black diamond skier, who can handle the expert slope, has every right to be there…but is a total menace to those around him. He is skiing as fast as he can….in-between people, trees, and trail repairs. He is flying off jumps and skiing like crazy through moguls...on the other skiers’ last nerve.

I would say, that’s the same as the business frequent flyer who gets in the fast lane he belongs in, but ends up taking forever to get through the security process…because he has to unload a laptop, a PDA, a cell phone, a blackberry, belt, tie-shoes, and his carry-on suit case...on the other flyers’ last nerve.

That’s when the family lane is looking good….no carry-on suitcases, laptops or PDAs…instead elastic pants….and Velcro shoes.