This seems more to be a commentary on LOGIC.

The fact that Sean himself cannot afford first class, well, that story might have a commentary on race and class in America somewhere in it, but the fact that first class moves quicker does not seem to, at all.

There are people out there who are willing to spend the extra dollar for convenience. Not everyone in first class has class or is in the demographic of the stereotypical first class traveler.

wah wah! :'(

Audrey sounds like a troll, but if not she also misses the point.

However, if by traveling first class you go through less security; that does give an ironic twist to the entire security charade. It seems the only mistake the thwarted terrorists made was flying coach. It has been proved that 1st class is a security weakness and one that has been exploited. Yet since there is money to made, the economic benefit outweighs the safety risk (which, arguably, it should do anyway).

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that equation.

Sure, costs a bit of money to buy the reader, but you can use it over and over.

It's like electronic voting - if you trust it, you don't know how easy it is to defeat it's "security".

"...security lines would be way shorter and a lot of our problems would be solved if airlines weren't so breathtakingly incompetent about baggage handling. People fly in constant fear of losing all their baggage, and so travel with as much crap as they can jam into a carry-on. No wonder we have problems getting through security lines with any kind of efficiency. If they actually trusted the airlines not to lose all their shit, people would travel with, like, a book, an I-Pod and maybe a laptop.

We should divert some Homeland Security funds to official baggage overseers, and quit relying on clueless, underpaid yokels. There should also be a system of punishment here...Currently, these bumbling jackass airlines can deposit your belongings in the middle of the ocean without facing consequences, other than an irate passenger they can flick to the side with some pissy little coupon. Bullshit, I say!"

Average Boeing 737 flight:
First class seats: 12
Coach seats: 125

The disparity's even greater on larger jets

It's pretty obvious from the numbers why first class takes relatively little time to get through security and board.

Oh, and re: class divisions... first class tickets cost many times more than a coach ticket, which itself is rather expensive these days. That's just a matter of simple economics. You get what you pay for. This isn't T-ball: everybody doesn't get to win.

the book - probably will get you in trouble - we're not allowed to think, it's a thoughtcrime. unless it's about how glorious our Reichsfuhrer is.

I could just be absorbing it the wrong way because the lack of actual content in the original post. If there was more on how race and class have to do with National Security (for example), then I would have responded in a different way.

From my understanding; correct me if I'm wrong. A terrorist can come in all shapes, colors and sizes. YOU - working class and/or business class person can be a terrorist too!

What I would like to know is what race and class in America have to do with security AND the lines that you have to wait in at the airport for coach vs. first class.

What about lines in other parts of the world right now? Race and class in London?

This is hilarious.

But Fnarf has the real question - why should you breeze through security because you're in First Class? Security is a function meant to ensure the safety of all. First Class is fine for ticketing and boarding, but it's bullshit that you can pay your way through security too.

I've never seen that before.

If there is, it's time to start a revolution.

As for the long lines for people with carry-ons: they are long overdue.

I hate all these yuppies who think they should be able to check nothing, and slow down the system trying to stuff their carry-ons into every available inch of cabin storage.

Before, it was just inconvenient.

Now, that god, it's become a security issue - so maybe they'll finally have the sense to stop.

On the east coast, people with coach tickets for shuttle flights (e.g. between NYC and Boston for example) can sometimes also use these shorter lines. That way the airlines can compete better with the high speed train service.

"This isn't T-ball: everybody doesn't get to win." Absolutely correct.

The lines will eventually settle down, either with better screening staff or a less hysterical policy in the near future. The airlines would lose too much buisiness to have 3 hours waits for passangers, particularly for short haul flights that could be replaced by a drive.

"For just one second, imagine if this plot had not been stopped. Just for one little minute. If it means we have to wait in line longer, so be it."

Totally. A pain in the ass, yes, but this is a *good* news overall.

That can't be allowed to stand. It's our government, for chrissakes.

If the plot was real and any of the suspects are still at large, their jobs are much easier today.

Besides a good portion of the restrictions are temporary. Like with 9/11 initially you couldn't even bring on a set of nail clippers.

you might call that temporary. I call it permanent until certain people are retired.

Airports and stadiums were built with public funds. Would you support a special lane on the freeway for rich people? Higher-quality tap water? Preferential treatment during blackouts?

I don't mind first-class passengers getting a little benefit, but whisking them through while hundreds stand in line?

That's just tacky.

To GW BUSH and the other Repub appointees running the government "more wealth = more responsible". Responsible people do not "blow things up", they engage in debate and donate to political/social causes. Also, responsible people will spend their money on luxuries like first class airline tickets, "suites", and "club-level" anything. Reverse that, and the Repubs running things feel that less responsible people are the less wealthy in America. And due to the lack of gumption on the part of the less responsible, they are not working hard enough to become wealthy. As well, less responsible people are more willing to "blow things up", or act violently in other manners, then debate or engage in political/social causes.

Today the ruling class does not have a "let them eat cake" meme, it is a "let them eat Top Ramen". And wait in longer lines then those wealthy, responsible people.

Read this:
http://dir.salon.com/story/tech/col/smith/2005/06/10/askthepilot140/index.html

In fact, I believe you will find that if you, a coach passenger, go up to the first-class line and tell them they have no authority to prefer passengers based on ticket class, they will let you through. Even if this favoritism were stautorily authorized (I bet it is not), the statute must have constitutional problems--from an equal protection, due process, or right to travel standpoint (I can't say which--I'm a little rusty).

Even if coach passengers are not a suspect class, what's the rational basis for favoring one group of citizens over another based on ticket prices, all you newbie Con Law buffs?

Apparently a willingness to work with Pakistani intelligence service was key. He does a nice job of laying out how Bush's absolutist no contact with "evildoers" policy restricts our own ability to work with others around the world to stop plots such as these.

Like we need any more evidence of what an incompetent ass Bush is...

TSA simply screens people. (The express lines and regular lines merge immediately past the ID checkers, who are not TSA).

It's worth noting that the majority of the folks using these lines are the folks who travel every week and pay the high fares -- thus the folks who keep the airlines afloat.

Today's trick: Your Rapid Rewards (Southwest FF program) card is valid for express screening at the central checkpoint, as Southwest does not have an elite program.

The 14th amendment (equal protection) ain't gonna protect our poor asses here. The Supremes have said that discrimination on the basis of wealth or class is scrutinized under the rational basis test, a test you Washintonians may be familiar with from the recent gay marriage decision. You ain't got a homo's chance at a legal marriage on winning an equal protection claim.