Plus, It Sounds Fun, Like Skiing

Wow — they should have a black diamond line for all sorts of things — entering the subway, walking in Midtown, navigating the counter at Katz’s, etc.:

The Transportation Security Administration introduced a new screening system at La Guardia Airport on Wednesday that tries to speed things up — and reduce anxiety and frustration — by asking travelers to choose a line based on their familiarity with checkpoint procedures.

The system relies on travelers to sort themselves into three groups, each assigned a color and shape: a green circle for families with small children and strollers, groups, people needing special assistance and those new to flying; a blue square for casual travelers who are familiar with security checkpoint procedures and have multiple carry-on bags; and a black diamond for expert travelers who are well-versed in the procedures.

Expert travelers fly more than twice a month, travel light, and are “always ready with items removed” (no metal, no shoes). Elite-status members of frequent-flyer programs are included in this category.

La Guardia is the 24th airport to implement the program, which began in Salt Lake City and Denver in February.

. . .

Skeptics have suggested, however, that people are likely to overestimate their abilities to get through a line quickly, and that relying on passengers to sort themselves is a recipe for failure.

Those in charge of the Self-Select Lanes program, as the authorities are calling it, said such worries were unfounded.

“It’s kind of like going to the line for 10 items at the grocery store,” said the program’s national director, Earl Morris. “Nobody wants to be that person with 20 items holding everyone else up. It’s peer pressure.”