Security Lines at Dallas Love Field

A new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) system is coming to Dallas. A few weeks ago, I blogged about The Black Diamond project in Salt Lake City (see previous entry). It’s a new security screening process designed 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.

This system is being implemented now at the Dallas Love Field airport. It has a slightly adjusted name (Diamond Self Select), but it’s the same color coded system. Other Texas airports may use a rodeo theme, but regardless of the theme or color coding, the system is ingenious. It allows people to choose a line that meets their pace — effectively allowing business travelers to get through the lines efficiently while giving families more time to go through the line without feeling rushed by others.

As a frequent business traveler based in Dallas, I am delighted to see that the TSA is trialing this system at Love Field. I don’t normally fly out of that airport, but the news reports indicate that American Airlines will be using the new color coding at selected gates later this year. Ah, I can’t wait!

It’s so frustrating to be herded through security lines with people who aren’t familiar with the system. Now, those people will have a special lane where they can get the assistance they need without slowing down those who can breeze past the checkpoints with their eyes closed.

Finally, the TSA is getting something right.