I'm ticked off by an example of discrimination practiced flagrantly at the airports of America, in the plain sight of everyone. And I'm puzzled as to why an uproar hasn't emerged on the part of economy passengers.

Here's the background:

On a book tour to promote Ask Arthur Frommer: And Travel Better, Cheaper, Smarter, I've been flying a lot on United Airlines. And guess what happens when you buy a United Airlines ticket on the web? After obtaining the price, you are suddenly told that for $39 more, you can purchase all sorts of extra privileges, including the right to use the airport security lines maintained for Business Class and First Class passengers.

Yes, Mr. and Mrs. America, special "premier" security lines are maintained for Business Class and First Class passengers by the Transportation Security Agency funded by our own, September 11 air ticket fees. And since there are far fewer people in the up-front areas of passenger airplanes, the lines they encounter are obviously much shorter than those in which the plebians stand.

Now the Transportation Security Agency claims (I've checked) that the affluent folks using the premier check-in line, undergo the same security testing as the rest of us: wanding of shoeless feet, pat-downs when metal is detected, etc. But since the lines are obviously shorter, the experience is a far more pleasant one. Which is why United Airlines feels justified in charging $39 for this privileged status.

I can understand why United Airlines is pushing the privilege. But the Transportation Security Administration? Where does it get off in acceding to and cooperating in a blatant effort to create different classes of air passengers?

Usually when I make arguments of this sort, I'm accused by our conservative readers of standing on the barricades, waving a radical banner. But isn't this the kind of non-democratic (small "d") act that even conservatives should decry? I'd love to hear from them. Or are they in favor of all measures designed to benefit the affluent?