Question: If this were, say, April 2002, and this was the first change in airport security (after the hysterical days of national guard troops with machine guns frisking everyone died down), and we hadn't gone through a decade of TSA misery/uselessness/frustration, would anyone really care?

I tend to think not (I know I'd barely think about it) but given the incompetence and ineptitude TSA has shown thus far, and how much more miserable they've made traveling, I consider anything they do a worthless invasion of civil liberties in the name of security theater, this included.

Were DHS really serious about this and trusted traveler programs being the way of the future, they should have "replaced" TSA with a new, more sophisticated, intelligence-based agency with the real intention of having a PR "fresh start". They could blame TSA for all kinds of things, decide that much of what TSA has done has been a failure, hence its complete replacement. They come out with a new manual, re-hire a lot of the same screeners (but hopefully cut the workforce) and see what happens.

I quoted the OP -- I'm curious about DL_TIDE's response to the screener's questions.

-------------------------------------
I do want to add. I am PERFECTLY FINE with this on INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL. My topic is domestic.

I answered them directly and truthfully. My body language was 'PISSED OFF'.

1. FEEL FREE TO DRIVE:
a. Been to Statue of Liberty lately? Feel free to drive!

b. Let's post an college educated professional at every event there is liquor served. First you must provide your personal information in advance to attend, surrender your keys at arrival, and before they are returned you are subject to 'screening'. You don't like that? FEEL FREE NOT TO ATTEND.

2. TSA vs El? When we have a Mossad organization and our country is the size of NJ and the bordering states are launching terrorist attacks against us. SURE! But we really wouldn't live that way now would we? BTW Drivers! Care to take a road trip in Israel?

3. Body language approval. Once, as I returned from out of country travel, a custom agent cleared me and said "Welcome Home". I walked away with my eyes full of tears from "love of MY country". Should I be given unfettered and unrestricted bypass of TSA checkpoints now?

4. Suggestions?

a. I'd start with a US Passport, then split the lines. Lot's of previous posted ideas that can be vetted and implemented for 'cleared' travelers.

NON_USA you're a guest in our home, no you don't have a US citizen's rights, you have the rights that your country has earned base on it's behavior.

b. Screening, regretfully it's going to be a way of life, guns exist, IMO rightfully so, but they can't be allowed on a plane.

c. TSA should quit trying to foil another 9/11 attack model. That model was based on passenger's acting like sheep. Case in point, when exposed on UA 93 it FAILED. Today, that group wouldn't even get in the cockpit.

d. X-ray machines. "Safe and faster" Any frequent traveler knows right now for fact, they are NOT faster. Do you really think the profiteer's both corp and political really know they are SAFE or even care? During it's time the scientific community has declared the world is FLAT and the Earth orbits around the sun.

e. Pronunciation testing: Today, a Boston Yankee was questioning Alabama born and raised Southerner! LOL, Get a life!!! :D

from my understanding, your Constitution does afford non-citizens US citizens rights with relation to the governments powers of search and questioning once they are inside the country.

You are aware that visitors to the USA have the same constitutional protections as any American citizen? If you however feel that should not be the case I am sure that you would be happy to check your human rights at the boarder any time you leave your country.

(Several drinks later...)

Now I'm sad. No one should have to find a "workable" solution.

This whole thing is just wrong.

I am tired of finding solutions for problems that should not exist. Why is this my problem to solve?

It shouldn't be, but sadly it will be your problem. Things outside of your control have conspired against you. Do you think that groups who represent people with your disability will work to fight these new measures?

Which means that until you pass CBP, you do not have said rights (as you have yet to be admitted). Though perhaps the OP was referring to screening of citizens vs. non-citizens for domestic travel. In that case, I don't think dividing along the lines of citizen vs. non is the way to go, rather the idea of US passport vs. not, the rationale being that those carrying one typically have already been identified and someone hasn't said "no, you can't be here because we perceive you as a threat".

I appreciate your concern, but no one has conspired against me. People have made up dumb procedures that make my life harder. It happens all the time and I deal with it. My concern is that I will deal with it wrongly and that the result will be unpleasant.

After a few times of experimenting with conforming to this lunacy, I will have developed a coping mechanism that will work in the majority of cases. Until then it may be touch and go.

I disagree with this process on several levels, most of which are more important than my disability. The constitutional issues along with my need to tell a government actor personal details about my travel that I may not wish to disclose are the most important.

Like many on this board, I work in a highly competitive industry. My clients are kept confidential as they would prefer that their competitors not know that I was needed to trouble-shoot their equipment. If I am required to state out loud that I am in X city to work for Y company, and the competitor is within earshot, it discloses a valuable small piece of information about the competitor.

Here is a made up example. Suppose that a person is well-known as a bank auditor that specializes in banks that have excessive bad loans. If he discloses in public where he will be working and it is overheard by a competitor or even a trader looking for inside info, it could damage both his client and his reputation.

This policy is a perfect example of a government agency developing a procedure without any idea of the practical effects of its implementation. They do not know about competitive business nor do they care. There are things that are confidential because they should be and need to be confidential. Not everyone is getting on a plane to vacation in Vegas or to visit Grandma.

As I stated earlier in this thread, I tend to turn off an internal switch when I am in a situation which may cause me stress.

In the midst of a long journey, tired and stressed, I sometimes 'select' the wrong language, and may find myself speaking any of German, French, or English. Wake me on a flight for instance, and win the lottery of how I will respond.

A few weeks ago I was rather short with a screener in French. I was not however in a country where French is commonly spoken. I opened my mouth, and those words came out.

I have already experienced what may happen when I speak up in German at a TSA checkpoint. It isn't intentional, it isn't meant as defiance, it is the reality that I face. Earlier today I struggled to find the correct word to use in a post here as I was watching television in German and Turkish, working on a project in French, and posting here in English.

I am really, really curious to know what plan is in place to deal with people who do not speak English as a first language (or who struggle to understand some of the very diverse accents in the US). Once again, those of us who are 'different' in some way will most likely find ourselves in some very unpleasant situations, beyond what 'normal' passengers experience.

Is it likely that this pilot program will (excuse the pun) get off the ground? Otherwise our discussions about the vast implications to foreign travelers who have to deal with many regional accents are academic.

The name game continues to spread across the US. One of the first airports was SFO, which has a high percentage of foreign travellers. I reported what happened when German, Japanese and Korean travellers encountered the name game at the checkpoint.

Debates have three categories of responses are; Facts, Truth and confuse the issue. Please stick to 1 or 2 in the future.

But to engage you answer on citizen rights and human rights.

A. Are you saying that Human Rights and rights granted by the US Constitution are the same? Human rights can be defined by and only by the USA electorate? And only exist at their whim?

B. Where does it say in the constitution that a non-us citizen has the same rights as a US Citizen?

C. When ever I leave the country, I'm AM checking my rights at the border. The very best I can hope for in any foreign country is the right to return home and if involuntary detained pray my fellow country-men will persevere for me to do so.

Do you realise that there are many people enrolled in various trusted traveller schemes who do not hold a US passport, but who have undergone more thorough security clearance than the average US citizen?

Right on Cave Pearl -you beat me to the punch. She shouldn't HAVE to find a workable solution. That's the whole point. She has done nothing wrong.

So sad. I am so sorry for what you have to deal with Ink. Rest assured I'm dealing with some issues too. Enough to make me seriously consider finding a new line of work until all of this idiocy comes to an end.