therightfangirl | (no subject) (Reply)

On my way home for lunch, on the radio I heard that the TSA will be starting a program where, if the flyer consents to a full background check, he doesn't have to remove his shoes or take out his laptop and liquids when going through airport security.

So my choices are: be slightly more inconvenienced while already being greatly inconvenienced, or let the government run a penetrating background check on me wherein they might determine that I am a "right wing extremist" since I don't like taxes or big government and subsequently decide that not only do I not qualify for their "slightly faster" security check program, but maybe that I won't get to fly at all.

It doesn't sound like much of a "choice" to me. Further, as I read more about this offering, it only applies to people who are in frequent flyer and other exclusive programs which often cost money (either via air miles or direct fees). I feel like this creates unequal treatment under the law, as you have one group getting special treatment by the government based entirely on how much money they're spending on air travel. It would be different if we were able to "enroll" directly with the TSA at no charge as this would have the first-time flyer given the same treatment and opportunity as the power-traveler.

I will pass on this. What do y'all think?