I am disappointed to report that the Diamond Lanes at Dulles Airport are now diluted by the very people it was designed to exclude.
Before, it was the providence of frequent flyers who know how to transverse the TSA security theatre. Now it is the overflow for the regular security lines.
On a busy Monday that translates into clueless tourists holding everyone up with change in pockets and liquids in luggage.
Dude, what time of day do you travel? Seems like of the last dozen times I’ve been to dulles airport in the last few months, I’ve never had to wait more then 5-10 minutes in the security line.
I wondered how they filtered out the “frequent flyers” from the mob. I asked the guy monitoring the security line how they would determine who fit the criteria. He didn’t have a good answer – so I suspect it is just an honor system.
The last time I used the Clear lanes, there was another person behind me. He actually looked upset that there were TWO people in line. I made a joke about the horrible lines, and after he cracked a smile we both went on our way. Total time through – about 2 minutes.
Justin,
That 5-10 minute wait is the issue. The Diamond Lanes should be 5-10 people long, max, which is 3 minutes or less when its people who know how to fly.
10 minutes? That’s no longer a frequent flier lane but just another security line. It was good while it lasted…
Without tourists this town wouldn’t be what it is. But then again. Tourist, regardless if they are in Nevada, where I am from or in DC always seem to gum up the works when the locals are trying get somewhere or something done.
Always in the way.