Senators Suggest Dropping Checked Baggage Fees to Reduce Wait Time at Airport Security Checkpoints

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Two U.S. senators from New England said they know how to reduce the long airport security checkpoint lines that have recently dominated the headlines.

Senators Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut called for the nation’s airlines to temporarily suspend their checked baggage fees in order for passengers to move more quickly through the screening process.

Last week, the Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for manning and managing the checkpoints, said it would increase the number of agents and canine teams and expand the PreCheck trusted traveler program. It also said it would ask airlines and airports to assist with non-security related tasks such as returning bins to the front of the lines so that more of its agents could man the lines.

The two senators said they know that suspending the fees wouldn’t completely eliminate the lines but believe it is a start.

Airlines are unlikely to heed the senators’ advice, as it will result in longer check-in lines for passengers to check their bags as well as higher fares to offset the loss in revenue from fees for checked luggage.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)