A regional airport outside Lyon has suspended a pilot program designed to reduce travel anxiety after passengers reported that the new “Quiet Line” security queue made them significantly more uncomfortable than standard screening procedures.
The Quiet Line, introduced last week, featured soft lighting, muted signage, and staff instructed to speak only when absolutely necessary. Announcements were replaced with gentle chimes, and travelers were encouraged to “move intuitively.” Airport officials hoped the initiative would provide a calmer alternative to conventional queues.
Instead, passengers described the experience as “deeply unsettling.” Several reported uncertainty about whether they were allowed to proceed, remove shoes, or acknowledge other humans. One traveler said he stood motionless for nearly four minutes because “no one told me to do anything, and I didn’t want to be rude.” Another was heard remarking to a security agent to “Say something! Just say something!”
“They were all standing there like they were Beefeaters or something. This is France!”
Security staff noted that while the line was quieter, it moved at less than half the usual speed. Misunderstandings were common, including multiple instances of travelers politely holding trays for one another until a supervisor intervened. A spokesperson admitted that silence “may have amplified the natural tension of airport environments rather than easing it.”
After three days, the airport reverted to standard operations, reinstating verbal instructions, firm hand gestures, and what officials described as “reassuring procedural urgency.” Feedback forms indicate that passengers felt immediate relief upon hearing raised voices and familiar commands.
