Now customers who enter checkpoint #1 at MSP can self-select either the Expert, Casual or Family lane based on their needs and experience with the security screening process.
The Expert, or Black Diamond, lane is for the business or frequent traveler who flies several times a month. The Casual, or Blue Square, lane is for passengers who travel less frequently, but are familiar with the security process. The Family lane, or Green Circle, is for passengers traveling with small children or strollers, groups, elderly passengers or those who need extra time to get through security.
Jeff Hamiel, executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission which owns and operates MSP, applauded the TSA's continued efforts to develop and test innovative passenger screening techniques. “I appreciate the TSA's willingness to test the new program at MSP and to provide another option for travelers here,” Hamiel said.
TSA launched the Diamond Self-Select Lanes program in February at two airports – Salt Lake City International and Denver International - to test the concept. More than a dozen airports have now implemented the program. Many have seen an overall increase in throughput and greatly increased customer satisfaction.
In the pilot, Salt Lake City and Denver saw a significant reduction in wait times for expert travelers in the Black Diamond lanes. And by giving families more time to prepare for screening, Transportation Security Administration Officers said they are discovering many fewer prohibited items during the screening process.
For more information about the airport security screening process visit the Transportation Security Administration's website at: www.tsa.gov