Posted on 01/20/2006 11:12:46 AM PST by JZelle
A new U.S. government program allowing pre-cleared air travelers to go through expedited airport security lanes is set to begin on June 20. Such passengers, who must first pass extensive background checks, will no longer undergo current security hassles such as removing suit jackets or shoes that others must, reports USA Today. The new Registered Traveler Program, which has taken three years to design, will begin June 20, Transportation Security Administration chief Kip Hawley told the newspaper. The policy could signify the greatest change in aviation security since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, says the report. Hawley said the qualified travelers will undergo "a significantly speedier process" at airport checkpoints if they clear both a government check for terror ties and another background check to help verify they pose no security threat. But critics say lines will grow longer for travelers who aren't in the program or that terrorists could enroll by using fake identities.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Okay. Maybe it's just me but I think this is retarded. Let's just grant specific people a pass to get expedited so that these people are now marked for recruitment into the cells.
Better yet. How many sleepers were there already here prior to the 911 attacks? How many more sleepers are already here that could potentially use this loophole to their advantage?
Give me the inconvenience over the lack of security any day of the week. Don't like the inconvenience? Don't fly.
submit and pay serf and you can spend less time with the gestapo
Bags will still be X-rayed, and metal detectors will still be screening all passengers.
This sounds like more of an "express lane" for those who sign up.
I understand that but XRay & metal detectors don't pick up everything.
Me either, and next they will be saying that the program discriminates and profiles against terror suspects...
My perspective - I'm retired military and I work for a federal contractor. I have had an extensive background investigation going all the way back through my time in high school. I've been trusted to guard nuclear weapons and qualified as an expert in small arms. I've shaken hands with four US Presidents and now I can't bring nail clippers on a commercial airplane.
I haven't had the same security clearance as yourself, however I've also served and have been under contract with my home state for the past 10 years. I don't mind the extra wait.
I still say this....given the choice between being inconvenienced an extra half hour or hour or seeing another episode of the 911 attacks.....which would you rather have? Somehow I think you'd choose the hour of incovenience. Anybody that says different is an ass & shouldn't be in this country.
It would be nice to be able to go through the express lane and not have to remove shoes and jackets. I would gladly submit to frequent & extensive background checks for such a privilige!
On my cross-country in December/January, I didn't get hassled. In fact, this was the first time that I didn't have to take off my shoes even though it was my belt buckle that caused the beeper to sound. Anyway, the relaxed rules apparently are already into effect.
I understand that but XRay & metal detectors don't pick up everything.
I agree OD. Bottom line, security procedures suck anyway and I think, are ineffectual anyway for a determined evildoer. A little bit of intrusiveness into my background doesn't make me nervous in exchange for a quick pass through my most unfavorite part of flying (which i do every week, nationally and occassionally internationally).
The 9/11 attackers bought the hype. They didn't board the planes on 9/11 with anything illegal at the time. If there is another attack using planes, expect the same. They will follow the rules, whatever they are at the time.
The National Guard and the TSA are pure eye-wash. A waste of time and effort, except they fooled the public into thinking something significant was being done.
Think hard now, where were 80% of the published pictures of the NG taken? I mean come on, when was the last security check point rushed by terrorists?
The TSA has no standards and can't find weapons or bombs, even during announced practices! Don't expect the next terrorist attack to be announced.
My point is that, except for McVey, the terrorists committing these acts are 50 year old military retirees. It's a huge waste of resources to check every little old lady from Iowa when we have a reasonable profile of the types of people who are a threat. It doesn't make any safer; it takes valuable resources and misdirects them for the sake of being Politically Correct, in addition to being a huge waste of time for most travelers.
Here, try this:
http://www.flyclear.com/
Expedited clearance for some people.
I'm sure my son will go for this, as he flies a lot.
Unfortunately, those of us who love liberty more than convienience still end up having to pay to subsidize and bail out those who don't.
Anyone who thinks that the current set of procedures will prevent another 911 attack is an...er...well, not in command of his or her faculties. Al Queda read our fixed playbook, then casually avoided our quaint Maginot Line.
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