Posted on 03/17/2012 10:03:39 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
An idea long overdue in my opinion. The Wall Street Journal reports that a pilot program is already in place for two airlines at nine airports where you can skip the TSA nudie scans and gropings, zipping through the airport almost as fast as you did before 9/11. You can leave on your shoes, your belt, your coat and your hat. All you’ll have to do is go through a “pre-screening” background check process and sit down for an interview with an official. Oh, and there’s one other catch… it will cost you $100.
The Transportation Security Administration is rolling out expedited screening at big airports called “Precheck.” It has special lanes for background-checked travelers, who can keep their shoes, belt and jacket on, leave laptops and liquids in carry-on bags and walk through a metal detector rather than a full-body scan. The process, now at two airlines and nine airports, is much like how screenings worked before the Sept. 11 attacks.
Journal CommunityTo qualify, frequent fliers must meet undisclosed TSA criteria and get invited in by the airlines. There is also a backdoor in. Approved travelers who are in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s “Global Entry” program can transfer into Precheck using their Global Entry number.
TSA says it also wants as many people as possible in Precheck, which is still in pilot-testing phase. Both agencies say the programs can enhance screening of people they know nothing about if they can move low-risk people who submit to background checks out of the main queues.
“We can reduce the size of the haystack when we are looking for that one-in-a-billion terrorist,” said TSA Administrator John Pistole.
When I went to renew my passport last year prior to a trip to Canada, I picked up a lot of useful information on this subject. But it also highlighted some opportunities which the government seemed to be overlooking. For example, you still don’t have to have a passport if you are driving into Canada, as opposed to flying. In Michigan, New York, Vermont and Washington state, you can apply for an enhanced drivers license. This functions just like a regular license in terms of operating your vehicle and serving as valid ID for all your needs. But it also proves that you’ve had an extensive background check to determine that you’re unlikely to be plotting anything nasty. With one of those you can drive through into Canada without having to produce a passport.
Why not have a similar thing for flying, even if it’s only on domestic flights? And the TSA representative in the article makes a good point. The more travelers who get signed on to this program, the fewer people there will be waiting at the normal TSA screening stations, so everyone will make it through faster. Sounds like a winning plan to me, at least as a short to medium term solution. The only question is… one hundred bucks? Are you willing to pay the government that much for the privilege of getting through the airport faster? While I understand there may be some resentment, I have to admit… I might be doing it.
The FBI already has all this stuff for all of us who have ever had a security clearance. This $100 thing turns the TSA in an extortion racket.
ML/NJ
That seems ridiculous that you should have to mention that 43 years later. I could see 7 years, but that would be it if not too many years.
I have the global entry card as well. The time savings and reduced hassles are worth it when you fly 100 times a year.
I am an admitted travel snob. I like being able to insulate myself from the travel noobs. Plus as a gazillion miler my status means my airlines treat me well.
I earned it with seat time.
The Year 2011 is over. Homeland Security has provided their end-of-the-year statistics on airport screenings here in the U.S.
Please note results below:
* Terrorist Plots Discovered: 0
* Transvestites: 743
* Enlarged Prostates: 19,249
* Breast Implants: 209,350
* Colon problems: 27,298
* Natural Blondes: 3
The UAE-GATE card cost $225 for 2 years. The application process at the airport took about 10 minutes. With it I walked up to a gate and swiped the card. This opened the first gate. When I walked into a secure area, the gate closed behind me. Then I put my forefinger on a fingerprint sensor, and the second gate opened. A passport control agent watched over the gates. I got through in 30 seconds rather than waiting in the mass of humanity for an hour.
It was all very smooth, and very efficient. Very much unlike the process used in this country, where everyone, even transit passengers, need to go through passport control, customs, and security.
As a side benefit, my passport stopped filling up the UAE stamps.
Are humiliations and screenings only for the ‘little people’?
This is undercover - shot by a conservative - of New York Times elites talking about liberal elite perks - and their contempt for conservatives. This is what we’re up against.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBFOmUXR080
NO! Disband TSA. All this does is reduce our number of allies in the fight. TSA is illegal and unconstitutional. Fight to disband it, not put a band-aid on for a select few.
Let’s keep the goal of freedom in sight, not submit to tyranny.
the us has similar programs
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/
It's the american dream ticket. Create something and then find a way to force everyone to pay for their 'participation'. The legal community is the most successful so far but credit reporting agencies aren't far behind. The TSA is learning quickly
A friend had his NEXUS pass (the Canada/US equivalent) pulled because he had failed to mention a 28-year-old conviction for punching a guy in a hockey match. No damage was done, but it was technically battery. He paid no fine and was released on good behavior. They also put negative comments on his file so that he was held up around an hour each time he crossed the border. He spent countless hours getting it straightened out. A INS officer at the border eventually helped him out and deleted the negative comments. He still hasn't got his NEXUS pass back.
Contrast this with the kid-glove treatment given those likely to do us harm.
Fat chance...Phony documents be damned...That hasn't done much to stop dear leader from being dear leader...
Finally...An informative post that proves beyond all doubt that our tax dollars are not being wasted by the airport gestapo...{;-)
PS: By any chance, did you use the FOI to get the names the last three?
“PS: By any chance, did you use the FOI to get the names the last three? “
Still workin’ on it!
I’ve flown exactly ONCE since 9/11/2001. I won’t fly again. Period.
“This whole ridiculous TSA thing is just crying out for some massive civil disobedience wherein a large number of people go through the line and refuse to be groped and irradiated. Let the cops arrest them all. Repeat at other locations as necessary.
Maybe we can get the Occupy idiots to do it, because the average “conservative” Americans seem to have lost their testicle”
But the people behind the “Occupy ‘Protests’” are people who are routing for the terrorists.
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