A thought about illicit use of the trusted traveler programs..
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 26
A thought about illicit use of the trusted traveler programs..
Just a thought.. if someone wanted to be a smuggler (or is a smuggler), but currently has a clean record, they could apply for a trusted traveler program and will likely be accepted, and they could then use those credentials to smuggle stuff at a much lower chance of being caught.
Like if you wanted to bring drugs from mexico into the US, all you have to do is get SENTRI and you're all set.
Seems to me that if you use a trusted traveler program for something illegal you should get hit with a perjury charge or something (eg. making a false statement on a global entry kiosk is considered perjury). Of course, it would only apply to REAL offenses like smuggling drugs or evading duties on 100K of jewelery or something. Getting fined and GE/SENTRI revoked for something stupid like bringing an apple in is punishment enough.
Like if you wanted to bring drugs from mexico into the US, all you have to do is get SENTRI and you're all set.
Seems to me that if you use a trusted traveler program for something illegal you should get hit with a perjury charge or something (eg. making a false statement on a global entry kiosk is considered perjury). Of course, it would only apply to REAL offenses like smuggling drugs or evading duties on 100K of jewelery or something. Getting fined and GE/SENTRI revoked for something stupid like bringing an apple in is punishment enough.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
Just a thought.. if someone wanted to be a smuggler (or is a smuggler), but currently has a clean record, they could apply for a trusted traveler program and will likely be accepted, and they could then use those credentials to smuggle stuff at a much lower chance of being caught.
Like if you wanted to bring drugs from mexico into the US, all you have to do is get SENTRI and you're all set.
Seems to me that if you use a trusted traveler program for something illegal you should get hit with a perjury charge or something (eg. making a false statement on a global entry kiosk is considered perjury). Of course, it would only apply to REAL offenses like smuggling drugs or evading duties on 100K of jewelery or something. Getting fined and GE/SENTRI revoked for something stupid like bringing an apple in is punishment enough.
Like if you wanted to bring drugs from mexico into the US, all you have to do is get SENTRI and you're all set.
Seems to me that if you use a trusted traveler program for something illegal you should get hit with a perjury charge or something (eg. making a false statement on a global entry kiosk is considered perjury). Of course, it would only apply to REAL offenses like smuggling drugs or evading duties on 100K of jewelery or something. Getting fined and GE/SENTRI revoked for something stupid like bringing an apple in is punishment enough.
Which, btw, literally thousands of them have done. Many for years.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
This. Or become an airport LEO or baggage handler. Much easier and less risky than running the security lines.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SYD (perenially), GVA (not in a long time)
Programs: QF PS, EK-Gold, Security Theatre Critic
Posts: 6,704
Just a thought.. if someone wanted to be a smuggler (or is a smuggler), but currently has a clean record, they could apply for a trusted traveler program and will likely be accepted, and they could then use those credentials to smuggle stuff at a much lower chance of being caught.
What you are really saying is that a background check, which, by definition looks at what someone has DONE in the PAST (and actually, only what someone has been CAUGHT doing), is useless for guaranteeing what that person might have THOUGHT about doing or what they might do in the FUTURE.
If you've figured that out, you're smarter than anyone at TSA. Congratulations. Not that "smarter than TSA" is much of an achievement.
Nevertheless, TSA (as noted by txrus and BSBD above) gives unlimited trusted access to its own clerks and to airport staff for secure parts of the airport on the basis of a single background check. It's fine to let a TSA clerk rummage through your checked bag or watch your laptop and wallet while you're in the body scanner; they would never steal* because "they've had a background check". Funny, huh?
*Except when they do. Then "the actions of one TSA clerk in no way reflect on the professionalism of the organization as a whole".
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 26
That is true, criminals having an inside man in law enforcement is pretty much one of the oldest tricks in the book.
As far as TSA stealing, that mostly happens to checked luggage, as someone stepping out of the body scanner would realize their laptop/wallet just went missing and would complain immediately, and the screening area is loaded with cameras. Hence why you should never put valuables in checked luggage.
As far as TSA stealing, that mostly happens to checked luggage, as someone stepping out of the body scanner would realize their laptop/wallet just went missing and would complain immediately, and the screening area is loaded with cameras. Hence why you should never put valuables in checked luggage.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
That is true, criminals having an inside man in law enforcement is pretty much one of the oldest tricks in the book.
As far as TSA stealing, that mostly happens to checked luggage, as someone stepping out of the body scanner would realize their laptop/wallet just went missing and would complain immediately, and the screening area is loaded with cameras. Hence why you should never put valuables in checked luggage.
As far as TSA stealing, that mostly happens to checked luggage, as someone stepping out of the body scanner would realize their laptop/wallet just went missing and would complain immediately, and the screening area is loaded with cameras. Hence why you should never put valuables in checked luggage.
As far as the cameras go, there is a long & well documented history w/those never being pointed in the right direction (or broken or whatever lame excuse the TSA comes up with) to capture the sticky fingered smurf in action which is why so many of them are able to get away with this for so long. One smurf went so far as to have his wife sew hidden pockets in his uniform jacket to put his ill-gotten booty in while he continued working.
The biggest security hole in our current aviation system, in my opinion, is the TSA itself. About the only thing screeners haven't been caught doing, yet, is smuggling explosives onto an airplane.
Seriously.
#7
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,402
What you are really saying is that a background check, which, by definition looks at what someone has DONE in the PAST (and actually, only what someone has been CAUGHT doing), is useless for guaranteeing what that person might have THOUGHT about doing or what they might do in the FUTURE.
The hook is the penalties are more severe. And I'm not sure that the odds of successfully running a smuggling operation for something valuable are that much better. Say you're bringing drugs - if you're low risk and don't have GE you still could probably get away with it without a search. Of course, assuming the dogs or pigs or whatever sniffs out the drugs don't figure it out, and they're going to alert on the bags whether you're GE or not.
Like many people here I've been through customs many dozen times. I don't recall being searched more than once or twice (including once with GE). Why? Probably because I have nothing suspicious in my background, including suspicious travel patterns (e.g., weekly flights to Colombia), my travels generally haven't been to countries known for smuggling, and perhaps some luck. GE hasn't really changed that - just that I can skip the lines.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,010
That is true, criminals having an inside man in law enforcement is pretty much one of the oldest tricks in the book.
As far as TSA stealing, that mostly happens to checked luggage, as someone stepping out of the body scanner would realize their laptop/wallet just went missing and would complain immediately, and the screening area is loaded with cameras. Hence why you should never put valuables in checked luggage.
As far as TSA stealing, that mostly happens to checked luggage, as someone stepping out of the body scanner would realize their laptop/wallet just went missing and would complain immediately, and the screening area is loaded with cameras. Hence why you should never put valuables in checked luggage.
Nothing is safe around TSA employees!
Ask me what I think of TSA.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SYD (perenially), GVA (not in a long time)
Programs: QF PS, EK-Gold, Security Theatre Critic
Posts: 6,704
Only if they find something. And it only really penalizes the forgetful. Do you think the serious agricultural smuggler, or drug mule or gun runner or guy with bomb, thinks "Rats, there goes my GE status!" if they get caught?
And I'm not sure that the odds of successfully running a smuggling operation for something valuable are that much better. Say you're bringing drugs - if you're low risk and don't have GE you still could probably get away with it without a search. Of course, assuming the dogs or pigs or whatever sniffs out the drugs don't figure it out, and they're going to alert on the bags whether you're GE or not.
Similarly for TSA and PreCheck. If the security screening that PreCheck passengers receive - including the random element of occasional deeper scrutiny - is sufficient for those who have passed a background check but may be planning something nefarious in the future, or for those who are randomly sent to the PreCheck line, why not make that the standard screening for everyone?
Like many people here I've been through customs many dozen times. I don't recall being searched more than once or twice (including once with GE). Why? Probably because I have nothing suspicious in my background, including suspicious travel patterns (e.g., weekly flights to Colombia), my travels generally haven't been to countries known for smuggling, and perhaps some luck. GE hasn't really changed that - just that I can skip the lines.
Out of well over 100 passes through customs/immigration in countries around the world, I've only been searched once (and that was just my luggage). I was entering the USA on a US passport and the CBP guy took personal offence to the fact that I had chosen to live in Another Country Which Is Not America. I'm reasonably confident that Patriotic CBP Guy would send my luggage for the full treatment even if I had GE.
So, if every passenger knew they had a random chance of being searched, what is the benefit of GE (to the passenger)? What is the additional risk (to the country) of treating everyone the same?
#10
Join Date: Jun 2015
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Maybe in the future TSA can develop a PreCrime Investigation Unit. Similar to what was portrayed in Minority Report.
"Thought crimes".
"Thought crimes".
#11
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
#12
Join Date: Jun 2015
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#14
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