So, we're shuffling along in the security line. We're about twenty people back from the x-ray machine, watching everyone remove the necessary things from their bags and bodies, putting them into the gray bins and pushing ahead. There are two older women directly in front of us, maybe in their 70's, very wealthy, both with a purse and one small carryon. They approach the silver tables and that's where it all begins...
Both women pull two - one quart bags out and place them in the bin - one w/liquids and one with medications. Then they start to dig in their carryon bags pulling out endless bottles of liquids and continue to chuck them into the bin. I looked at Robin and said should I tell this woman that they're going to take her perfume?
After about three or four more bottles of stuff that have come out of the bag I decide to tell her - um, you need to put the perfume in your little quart bag or they will take it. She was like, no they can't do that... it's like an $80 bottle of perfume. So I said you need to get rid of something else in your bag to make it fit then... take that little bottle of clinique out, you can get that again. She tells me "oh that's just alcohol I put in there" - I'm like that's 99 cents, toss it. She takes her medication out of the bag and starts putting her toiletries in that one. I tell her it's all got to fit into ONE one quart bag, not two. They are totally holding up the line at this point, big time.
I comment to Robin that I can't believe security hasn't come over to assist with the situation. She proceeds to drop little bottles all over the floor - gives me the bag and asks me to close it because she has arthritis ... a comedy of errors. We manage to get them to the xray machine but they are still trying to figure this whole thing out. Security FINALLY comes over and is trying to explain to both women the rules. They are befuddled.
Someone from behind us, completely fed up, asks security if we can go around them... so I go, Robin goes, like four other people go and as Robin and I are walking away... they are still on the other side of the xray machine.
You know... I was trying to be calm and helpful, thinking this could have been my grandmother or something. But there comes a point that you just have to say something. I think what frustrated me most was that there was a woman making sure everyone got into the right line but NO ONE came out to assist these women with their problem for what seemed like an eternity! Quite frankly, they should have pulled these ladies out of line and helped them while the rest of the line could continue to move ahead.
Chicago's Midway Airport is doing something really smart.
Chicagoist posted this:
The TSA is rolling out a new security-line system at Midway. Starting today, passengers will sort themselves into three different lanes to go through the security check, based on their experience and efficiency as travelers (and packers). People who know the ropes, like business travelers, will go in the expert lane; people who are inexperienced travelers or who have kids with them go in the novice lane; and anyone who's not sure or is somewhere in between goes in the casual lane.
From what I understand, it's been quite successful. I wish ALL airports would do this!!! PLEASE give me that expert lane.
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