April 03, 2012

Fairer Airport Screening

Senator Ben Nelson strikes a blow for passenger equity--a surprising and especially praiseworthy move because one would have expected that Senators might be the likely beneficiaries of the inequity that current prevails. The LA Times reports:

 

Bothered by select air travelers who get to move faster through airport security checkpoints?

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) is.

He has introduced legislation that would bar airlines and airports from giving passengers, often first class and elite frequent fliers, preferential treatment on security lines. 

 “This bill is about fairness,’’ Nelson said. "Regardless of whether you have a first-class ticket or have reached a certain frequent flier status, the purpose of the airport security screening line is to ensure traveler safety. Allowing a select few to cut in front of those who are waiting patiently, just in order to provide a perk, has nothing to do with safety.’’ 

All passengers pay the same fee in their airline tickets to cover the cost of the TSA screenings regardless of ticket class, according to a news release from Nelson announcing the legislation.

It's fine for airlines to discriminate in favor of certain groups of passengers who pay more, but it is not fine for the government's Transportation Security Administration to favor wealthy passengers with shorter lines, especially when the wealthy passenger is paying the screening fee as the economy-class passenger.

Posted by Anupam Chander on April 3, 2012 at 02:01 PM in Life | Permalink