What would life be like if we couldn’t call ahead and reserve a table at our favorite restaurant? And what would golfers do if they didn’t have the option of making a tee time?
The scene at eateries and golf courses would likely resemble the chaos of airport security screening areas. Frustrated individuals made to wait in endless lines taking their ire out on the people next to them.
But, what if airline passengers were able to reserve a time to go through airport security checkpoints?
Don’t choke laughing. The Transportation Security Administration recently announced it is exploring whether such an idea would be plausible. Ideally the department would like to guarantee shorter waits at checkpoints and it says it is toying with a reservation system aimed at enticing travelers to go through security at off-peak times.
The concept is still in its infancy and currently the TSA is asking businesses for input on how to create a reservation system that would reduce security lines that grow exponentially during peak travel periods in the early morning and late afternoon.
This is what the TSA has come up with so far:
Travelers who are interested in reserving checkpoint slots would probably have to pay a fee for each reservation or an annual subscription for unlimited reservations at participating airports. They could then choose a time (off-peak) to go through security that allowed them adequate time to get to their departure gate. Another component of the plan is the use of computers that help set flight schedules. TSA managers say the computers could be used to give travelers five- to 10-minute windows for arriving at checkpoints.
Aviation consultants say they doubt the new idea will fly with travelers who already struggle to reserve flights, cars and hotels. What’s more, they say there’s no way business travelers are going to want to be pinned down to a reservation time, especially since many business travelers already by pass long security lines because they belong to airline clubs that provide reserved lines at checkpoints.
What do you think about the proposal? Would you pay extra to reserve a spot in the security line?
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