The Black Diamond Project

As a frequent flyer, the Black Diamond Project is an effort that I applaud.  In the Salt Lake City airport, they are currently trialing a new security screening process to make lines shorter and faster.  The security checkpoint lanes are modeled after ski icons – green for beginners, blue for intermediate and black diamond for experts.  Pretty cool, huh?

After surveying passengers, the TSA learned that many had similar concerns and frustrations associated with the security screening process.  Passengers with kids, who need extra time, didn’t want to be in the same line as frequent travelers.  Business travelers who know the rules and don’t need to be told to take their shoes off or remove their laptop from the bag want to move through the security checkpoint quickly with minimal delays. 

Business travelers tend to travel lighter and are more efficient when going through security checkpoints.  This new process could help save them from being slowed down by infrequent travelers.  For people like me, it promises a nice reprieve from the frustration of being stuck behind clueless people who don’t know what they are doing or who take forever to go through the checkpoint.

If you are familiar with how ski runs are labeled, the system is the same.  According to Earl Morris, who heads up TSA’s airport security operations in Salt Lake City, “The Green lanes are used primarily by families, who often feel stressed in the traditional lane trying to get through with their kids, strollers and other stuff. Often these folks haven’t gotten the proper level of attention they deserve. People who don’t travel much and groups also select this lane.

The Blue lanes are for casual travelers who understand TSA procedures to a degree but may not travel all that frequently so they take a little more time. The black diamond lanes are for expert travelers who understand the system by the nature of traveling a lot and are totally prepared for the checkpoint. The goal is to ensure that TSA provides the proper level of service with customized needs of the traveler in mind. Security is improved by improving the process, taking the pressure off in the lines, eliminating the hassle factor and calming down the passenger.”

Kudos to the TSA security operations in Salt Lake City!  I hope this pilot is successful.  I’d love to see it rolled out in other airports across the country.  I believe Denver is also trialing a similar program. 

Now if I could get the airlines to consider a “business traveler” section on airplanes, life would be sweet.  I know…I know…that’s unlikely to happen, but a girl can dream, can’t she? 😉