Asked and answered many times. Read the forums. And yes, it's a battle worth fighting.

Super! You're always so sensible and have good ideas ;) Please give us some ideas for what to do next.

Well? Still waiting for more ideas/action. It seems like the passion for this has fizzled or something.

Trying to get TSA to answer is one big thing. They've gotten out the propaganda machine and are trying to discredit the critics with cherry picked sayings from post.

Really struck a nerve.

Keep the pressure on them.

I've been writing over there, but I don't do it under this handle. Though if you think about it long enough, you can probably figure out which ones are mine.

I agree, Super. TSA seems to be at their wit's end...trying to BS their way out of this.

I think we still should organize a protest or a day of flying w/out ID, though... and much to my surprise, I haven't seen anyone post their experiences flying w/out ID with this new policy here.

I don't really have a trip on my next flight as it's an international trip. They won't buy that I forgot my passport and I really want to go on this vacation ...

They got me by the short and curlies. I hate it. :mad:

Just curious, Super, in your opinion, why do you think TSA made this new policy if the old one worked just fine? What was their point?

I think TSA honestly wants to keep us safe. However there are a few issues at play here:

1. The problem is that they have no clue how to do it.

2. The belief that if security is good, then more security is better. (This is a cycle that's never ending).

3. They know that they can't implement their security plan all at once. I think part of this is because it takes time to develop this crap, get approval and so on ... the government is inherently inefficient and slow. The other part is the "frog in the pot" situation ... if they clamp down too much too quickly, people won't go for it. Add inconvenience a little at a time in the name of security and people won't blink at it. They'll think "Well, we're already doing this, so it seems like the next logical step" or "Well, we already have to do this, so what's one more thing?"

The thing is if you're trying to get something you know is controversial like SecureFlight pushed thru, you have to lay the ground work of control down and that takes time.

4. They think that the ends justify the means. They think that they can either twist or ignore law that's inconvenient to achieve the aim of securing aviation. As long as that aim's "achieved", oh well if someone's rights get trampled on.

JMO.

Super

There was a thread a few months back with an FTer who was working on setting up a 527 group or PAC to work on this issue in DC. I haven't seen any update on that recently, although I do recall that there was quite a bit of support from the FT community.

ETA: This thread is the one I was thinking of...sounds like things are coming along!^

Well, what do you think can be done to convince TSA to rescind their new ID policy and go back to their old "no ID, you're SSSS'ed" policy? It seems so hopeless.

Why not organize #5, on a nationwide basis. Not going up to the ID checkers necessarily, just having signs, telling people to NOT give in to these rules, etc. Surely we could get a BUNCH of FT people, across the country, to spend a Saturday at a LOT of airports, with signs, protesting these rules? Organizing it would be easy on this site. Then we send a few emails to the networks, and let them cover it at every airport we can hit.

Nothing illegal, nothing they could be upset about, just pure demonstrations. The more we NOT interfere with operations, the better. The networks could show "See, they just don't like the new rules. They don't want to interfere."

(Side note: I may have taken a few hits from some of the more VOCAL TSA bashers, but this sounds like a GREAT idea!!!!!!!!)

Wonderful! I LOVE that idea! One thing that worries me is that some airport cops could kick you out for "distrubing the peace" or something like that...but it can't hurt to try.

I'm far away from the nearest airport right now :( I'm in California...but if this policy continues on then whenever I get back to DC for school, I'll be in at DCA for sure.

I guess our next step is to discuss when, where, and have posters be made. I'll volunteer to make some posters with text and send it out to whoever's going.

I've been thinking about the Disturbing The Peace. What can they do, if we are simply walking around with signs, saying something like "Tell your Congressman you hate the new TSA rules." Or something like that? Sure airports are somewhat "private" property, but if we had media coverage, I think we would be OK.

I really think the trick will be to NOT disturbing anything. Actually, if people want to talk, either take it outside, or tell them to see website xyz.com. It would help if that other thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...&highlight=527 had the website up and running before we did anything. Sorry, I don't know how to link to another post. If someone can tell me how in a PM I will fix this post.

Also, maybe we should move this to a PM based discussion? Lurkers?

I'd be up for it. Though I'm going on vacation for two weeks on Sunday.

I of course prefer BWI, but I could make a trip to DCA or IAD if needs be. Now's a good time for me as I don't have my son for the summer.

i'd be willing to help

you should be ok as long as you're not disturbing, like you said. i noticed a sign at STL saying that the airport has to let people on their grounds that distribute flyers or whatever, and that they don't endorse it (aka the 1st amendment right to assemble and protest and free speech)