The TSA introduces "trusted traveler" program - Pay money skip lines
33 replies, posted
[release][b]You'll have to pay, so the new TSA program is likely to be a good value only for people who fly a lot. And it might not be great for them.[/b]
Travelers may soon be able to avoid some of the hassles of airport security -- the long lines, taking off your shoes and hauling your computer out of its case. That is, if you're willing to pay and hand over a lot of personal information.
The Transportation Security Administration announced last week that, starting this fall, it will be testing a "trusted traveler" program that will offer special security lines for travelers willing to undergo a background check and pay for the privilege. Those travelers won't have to remove their shoes or take computers out of their cases, and won't routinely face a body scanner.
The pilot will be open to select frequent fliers on Delta in Atlanta and Detroit and on American Airlines in Miami and Dallas, as well as some people in those locations who already participate in U.S. Customs and Border Protection's trusted traveler programs. Eligible travelers will be invited to join in coming weeks. The TSA plans to expand the program to include more airports and airlines but has not said how long that will take to implement.
Although the TSA has yet to disclose details on pricing, its trusted traveler program isn't likely to be a good value for anyone but frequent travelers, says George Hobica, the founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. (As a benchmark, private program Clear, available in Orlando and Denver, charges $179 per year for access to secure-traveler lines.)
"There are other ways of beating the lines that can be cheaper," he says. Elite frequent fliers and first- and business-class passengers on most airlines already get access to separate lines at select airports, and United offers it at 26 airports as an add-on option for as little as $9.
There's also the free, if less scrupulous, way: "Show your boarding pass to the TSA agent and say, 'My flight is leaving in 10 minutes,'" Hobica says. "They'll escort you to the front of the line."
But even frequent travelers may not find as much value in the TSA program or other paid options. The TSA only controls the screening process, while the airlines control the lines leading up to it, Hobica says. That means special lines could be pulled temporarily if the airline thinks it can get more people through, faster, by using that extra screening station, or during off-hours when lines are generally short and not many stations are manned.
The TSA has said that trusted travelers wouldn't be exempt from random screenings, and this spring said expedited screening might not be available on higher-risk flights or if one of the 460,000 watch list passengers is on the same flight.
Readers, would you pay to get through security faster?[/release]
[url=http://money.msn.com/how-to-budget/article.aspx?post=49e16d5e-1680-4ec8-82e1-4196418867c5>1=33006]Source[/url]
how many "terrorists" have they caught?
[QUOTE=Sanius;31210318]how many "terrorists" have they caught?[/QUOTE]
No, no, think of how many terrorists haven't attacked because of the TSA! You see, instead of attacking airplanes (which they failed at several times since the TSA was created - thanks to passengers), they've been attacking random other civil targets (which they haven't), so obviously the TSA is working!
Doesn't this kinda destroy the purpose of the TSA?
Pay money not to get fondled by a untrustworthy person?
Reverse prostitution???
I could see this easily being exploited.
[QUOTE=Sanius;31210318]how many "terrorists" have they caught?[/QUOTE]
none.
Yes I'm sure TSA background checks won't be a complete crock of shit. There is absolutely no way that this would make a new massive security hole. Obviously the TSA background checks will be so thorough they'll just be able to mark you TERRORIST or NOT TERRORIST YET.
That is, of course, completely disregarding the fact that TSA is already incredibly efficient and not a shitstain on american air travel.
what the fuck, this should be illegal.
we have to pay to not have our rights infringed? state governments need to fight against this shit
It's not like terrorists are already millionaires to supply all the bomb's and equipment.
Well, the TSA is officially a money-grubbing scam now.
"Want to avoid sexual assault every time you want to get on a plane? Just pay us the blood money."
I think if Al-Qaeda had the money to try another aircraft-based attack, they could pony up a little extra for this program. Completely worthless.
10 bucks for every liter of thermite you bring on the plane, 5$ loan for the container. TSA approved, coming next week.
[QUOTE=SEKCobra;31211939]10 bucks for every liter of thermite you bring on the plane, 5$ loan for the container. TSA approved, coming next week.[/QUOTE]Will I ever be able to bring my suitcase full of TNT onboard?
Ridiculous, that is like starting a bribing program that allows you not to get searched or questioned by police. "Want the police off your back? Pay $199.99 for the trusted citizen program"
All terrorist organizations have to do is find someone without a criminal background and keep the plan on the downlow and get them in the program. Or worse yet, find someone who is already on the program.
Fucking stupid.
I remember when it took less then 30 minutes to get though security (that was in a international airport too) now it takes a hour or more. Fuck sake.
So basically I have to pay for my freedoms guaranteed to me under the 4th amendment?
[QUOTE]The Fourth Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, along with requiring any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause.[/QUOTE]
Isn't "unreasonable" because they are there to search for illegal and/or dangerous things not allowed on planes.
[QUOTE=gokuman4594;31212316]Isn't "unreasonable" because they are there to search for illegal and/or dangerous things not allowed on planes.[/QUOTE]
In theory, maybe. But in practice, it's abused.
TSA is not as big of a pain as people say it is, except on rare occasions. That said, this is suspicious as fuck and will not end well.
The entire point of TSA (as shitty as it was and is) is to prevent what this is allowing.
This is stupid as hell. Do they think a background check is going to prevent terrorist attacks? Most suicide bombers aren't repeat offenders.
A future terrorist with a very large budget who immigrated cleanly and who has not made public his associations would not be denied.
Background checks only show official association, living association, familiar association, and business association. Since there isn't an organization called "Al Qaeda International Terrorist Organization Allah be Praised Inc.", then it's not like they'd pick up any sort of connection. Then they would just buy a trusted membership or whatnot and be on their way to destruction.
Oops.
Not that it matters, TSA is an organization that does illegal activities as condoned by the state. They are a budget hog and inefficient. They need to be ended and we need to get other ways of protection.
Or prevention.
Security: Hang on there good sir, is that a ak47 on your shoulder? Oh my is that a bomb in the bag?!
Taliban: Yes, but i got 9$ right here.
Security: Proceed, sorry for the inconvenience.
[QUOTE=Thy Reaper;31210580]No, no, think of how many terrorists haven't attacked because of the TSA! You see, instead of attacking airplanes (which they failed at several times since the TSA was created - thanks to passengers), they've been attacking random other civil targets (which they haven't), so obviously the TSA is working![/QUOTE]
So basically the TSA is like a condom, not abortion. It's the prevention, not the cure.
[QUOTE=GhostG45;31213581]So basically the TSA is like a condom, not abortion. It's the prevention, not the cure.[/QUOTE]It's not even that, it's like a broken, torn, used condom that you get from a dollar store.
[QUOTE=ExplodingGuy;31213803]It's not even that, it's like a broken, torn, used condom that you get from a dollar store.[/QUOTE]
All hail the red, white, and neon orange.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v516/Offkorn/emot-911.gif[/img]
I thought the TSA always accepted bribes?
Actually.. This could be a clever idea.
Terrorists would be the ones most likely to pay for this, so they pay to go through. Anyone that the TSA deems untrustworthy has a second check, which would be in the rules.. Could be more likely to find bombs and stuff like that?
loadsaemone
[editline]20th July 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=BANNED USER;31214369]I thought the TSA always accepted bribes?[/QUOTE]
if a bribe is a molestation.
[QUOTE=gokuman4594;31212316]Isn't "unreasonable" because they are there to search for illegal and/or dangerous things not allowed on planes.[/QUOTE]
"Reasonable" has consistently meant that an individual has a reasonable suspicion that there is something illegal to search for, and the barrier for a reasonable search is pretty high. As the TSA decides what is not allowed to be on the plane, and also does the searches, there is an obvious conflict of interest. Further, beyond the TSA's policies, very little is illegal to have on a plane.
This is conceptually equivalent to random searches of individuals by police with the goal of making sure you aren't carrying anything 'against policy,' where the police write the policy, and 'pocket knife' is on the list of illegal goods - there's a fair suspicion that any random individual unaware of the policy will have one, and so you could argue it is 'reasonable' to search random people. In no way does this work as an excuse for violating the 4th Amendment.
There's also no implied consent for air travel, as there simply is no practical alternative to air travel for many, many travel requirements, whether considering cost or travel time. Relatedly, the TSA also doesn't restrict itself to only searching airports, that is just their main focus.
[QUOTE=Boba_Fett;31212272]So basically I have to pay for my freedoms guaranteed to me under the 4th amendment?[/QUOTE]
USA! USA! USA!
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