Originally Posted by
FliesWay2Much
Pissy is overtly creating class warfare. He's banking on the fact that many frequent flyers will gladly surrender their backgrounds and pay a fee to become a member of the "privileged class." He's dangling carrots in front of us like: "You don't have to take off your shoes." or "You can leave your laptop in your bag." and many will take the bait. He's created a whole class of people who now owe him. He keeps them hooked because everyone of the privileged class knows that Pissy can also take away these privileges at any time for any reason. So, the privileged class must obey and not commit even the slightest infraction. He also effectively removes a lot of people from the fight.
Well, as you said, he is removing as many people from the fight as possible. Remember at the beginning even flight crews, airport workers and everyone were subjected to the new procedures with the NoS and resistance - or is it torso now? - patdown. Enough pilots complained as well as flight attendants, so they both got exempted. Then airport workers wouldn't put up with those shenanigans every morning to go to work so they were exempted too. Now the frequent flyer community - and probably the one most likely to be vocal about it in terms of revenue passengers - will be the next to go. You'll be left with the once-a-year air travelers - I forget if the k word was banned on TS&S - in the regular line with anyone who'd create a scene quietly being shifted to dedicated checkpoints.
I will keep an open mind about the program, but if it's just shoes on/laptops in cases it's not worth it to me. I'll take my chances in the general lane and do a SDOO or real opt-out if it comes to that.