Losing Patience with TSA
Sep 9, 2013, 7:18 am
#1
Original Poster
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Losing Patience with TSA
An interesting article this morning that I'd hope would lead to some sanity in Congress:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel...nduct/2783055/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel...nduct/2783055/
Sep 9, 2013, 8:40 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
Well, there's your first problem 
Sorry, but I'm unimpressed by the article. "One last chance to improve" only works if there's clearly defined criteria for improvement ... and the article fails to provide that. Even the one solution mentioned --- privatization --- won't do a whole lot, because private screeners would still have to use WBI and perform full-body patdowns and enforce the 100ml fluid rule and so on.
Sorry, but I'm unimpressed by the article. "One last chance to improve" only works if there's clearly defined criteria for improvement ... and the article fails to provide that. Even the one solution mentioned --- privatization --- won't do a whole lot, because private screeners would still have to use WBI and perform full-body patdowns and enforce the 100ml fluid rule and so on.
Sep 9, 2013, 8:51 am
#3
Original Poster
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Well, there's your first problem
Sorry, but I'm unimpressed by the article. "One last chance to improve" only works if there's clearly defined criteria for improvement ... and the article fails to provide that. Even the one solution mentioned --- privatization --- won't do a whole lot, because private screeners would still have to use WBI and perform full-body patdowns and enforce the 100ml fluid rule and so on.
Sorry, but I'm unimpressed by the article. "One last chance to improve" only works if there's clearly defined criteria for improvement ... and the article fails to provide that. Even the one solution mentioned --- privatization --- won't do a whole lot, because private screeners would still have to use WBI and perform full-body patdowns and enforce the 100ml fluid rule and so on.
The TSA is still developing a final rule, required by a U.S. Court of Appeals, on the use of its controversial full-body scanners. According to a survey of public comments on a government regulations website, most Americans favor a return to the tried-and-true magnetometers and want the TSA to stop using pat-downs and full-body scanners. Bowing to their wishes would be a good start.
Although I don't expect TSA or Congress or President to actually accept and implement this suggestion, it would be a good thing if they did.
Sep 9, 2013, 7:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
Understanding that it's just an article, there was one suggestion that I liked:
The TSA is still developing a final rule, required by a U.S. Court of Appeals, on the use of its controversial full-body scanners. According to a survey of public comments on a government regulations website, most Americans favor a return to the tried-and-true magnetometers and want the TSA to stop using pat-downs and full-body scanners. Bowing to their wishes would be a good start.
Although I don't expect TSA or Congress or President to actually accept and implement this suggestion, it would be a good thing if they did.See, TSA would counter that it is, in fact, returning to WTMD-only screening --- through the Pre-Check program. Of course, the fact that Pre-Check is only open to elites or those willing to pay for it through Global Entry is lost in that argument.
Sep 9, 2013, 7:26 pm
#5
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But what does "a good start" mean?
See, TSA would counter that it is, in fact, returning to WTMD-only screening --- through the Pre-Check program. Of course, the fact that Pre-Check is only open to elites or those willing to pay for it through Global Entry is lost in that argument.
See, TSA would counter that it is, in fact, returning to WTMD-only screening --- through the Pre-Check program. Of course, the fact that Pre-Check is only open to elites or those willing to pay for it through Global Entry is lost in that argument.
Sep 9, 2013, 8:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 959
Don't worry, Pre-Check will become all but required along with the associated fees. Slowly but surely the program will be expanded to cover all US airports. Subsequent to that there will be changes that will make not participating in Pre-Check [or whatever they decide to call it] the choice of last resort.
Sep 9, 2013, 9:51 pm
#7
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- The usual scope creep of "safety" programs. Remember at one time seatbelts [in cars] were available but not talked about much. Then there was encouragement/peer pressure to use them. Now in many places it is the law to use them or be fined.
- The usual "power grab" by elected officials [from any party and of any administration] to control more of the plebian lifestyle while exempting themselves.
- The vocal Anything for Safety group(s) will call for it because, "If you have nothing to hide ....!"
Sep 10, 2013, 2:00 am
#9
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Don't worry, Pre-Check will become all but required along with the associated fees. Slowly but surely the program will be expanded to cover all US airports. Subsequent to that there will be changes that will make not participating in Pre-Check [or whatever they decide to call it] the choice of last resort.
Sep 10, 2013, 6:20 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,956
I recall when the seat belt law was passed in Texas and we were "promised" that no one would be stopped just for a seat belt infraction; a ticket would be issued only in conjunction with a stop for another matter. Didn't take too long for that promise to go by the wayside.
Sep 10, 2013, 6:51 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,444
Except for those who are not US citizens and/or residents. There's no sign of opening Pre-Check to "foreigners". And no reason, really, why a non-US citizen going on a single vacation or business trip to the US should want to (or have to) pay fees for Pre-Check for one trip.
Sep 10, 2013, 1:01 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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But today, just a few days before the 9/11 anniversary, is not the time to talk about the end of the TSA. This is the moment to take account of the failings of one of America's least-loved agencies, and to say: Our patience has its limits; it's almost up.
Mike
Sep 10, 2013, 1:39 pm
#13
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So the choices will be: NOS, patdown or a background check without consent.
And all that is just because a person has decided to move somewhere on a plane? I really do not see how the new system is better. If anything, it is actually worse. I'd rather receive a patdown then have those people to get background check on me every time I travel.
And all that is just because a person has decided to move somewhere on a plane? I really do not see how the new system is better. If anything, it is actually worse. I'd rather receive a patdown then have those people to get background check on me every time I travel.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:04 am
#15
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