TSA: Elite Can Pay $85 and Pass Go

The Precheck program will be expanded by the end of year. Previously if you had favored status you could be sent through the special lines. By invitation only... Now for $85 and some finger prints you too can join this elite program.

Myself, I can see a few wrongs with this program. First of all, this program will not be for the working poor flying to visit a sick relative etc... A family of say 4 would cost, $340. Secondly fingerprinting your average American is yet another loss of privacy for Americans. Plus I wonder if it would be possible to pay this fee and still get denied. And lastly, doesn't this stink of elitism?

Sure this can be a nice perk for the frequent flyer. But you have to sell your soul to the devil to do this. Well at least your finger prints. So now it looks like we will have, "first class", in the security checkpoints also.

More airports around the United States will soon allow passengers to go through security without removing their shoes, light jackets, and belts.

PreCheck passengers also can leave laptops and small liquids in their carry-on luggage.

The Transportation Security Administration is expanding its expedited screening program called PreCheck to 60 new airports by the end of the year and is increasing the number of lanes for the program at the 40 airports that currently offer it.

Keep your shoes, jackets on: TSA to expand pre-screening program

"doesn't this stink of elitism"

No, It's a choice which is never a bad thing.

If you choose to pay the amount then your travel experience is quicker.
If you don't then it stays the same.

I have never had a problem going through security checks, never saw it as some invasion of my privacy and that includes the spot check where they went through my bags or each time i have had to take my shoes off.

I suppose if you don't mind being fingerprinted and background checked for a large fee, that is the benefit. You're being screened anyway. It's just another revenue stream for them, which is what irks me. And yes, those with disposible income get the convenience.

The privacy has already been invaded. Honestly, I've been fingerprinted and background checked for several jobs, so my privacy is gone already.

Originally posted by SunnyDee
The privacy has already been invaded. Honestly, I've been fingerprinted and background checked for several jobs, so my privacy is gone already.

Though not part of the OP exactly why shouldn't a company run a background check on a prospective employee ?

reply to post by opethPA


I didn't say I had a problem with it, just that I'm in the system. I would not have done it, if I was that against it.

So let me get this straight:

In order for the un-Constitutional TSA to have the revenue to continue to side-skirt you personal privacy, they are instilling a completely purpose defeating 'pay-to-pass' program?

Makes sense, sure glad the 'terrorists' dont have the funds to pay $85 to not be searched.


Isn't this basically a bribe and/or extortion?

Originally posted by elouina
The Precheck program will be expanded by the end of year. Previously if you had favored status you could be sent through the special lines. By invitation only... Now for $85 and some finger prints you too can join this elite program.

Myself, I can see a few wrongs with this program. First of all, this program will not be for the working poor flying to visit a sick relative etc... A family of say 4 would cost, $340. Secondly fingerprinting your average American is yet another loss of privacy for Americans. Plus I wonder if it would be possible to pay this fee and still get denied. And lastly, doesn't this stink of elitism?

Worse that elitism. It's yet another security hole.

If a low-level terrorist organization wanted to put something on the plane, he would use one of these people. He'd simply hold their family hostage and tell them to deliver contraband X (drugs, etc) to another person at destination. Of course, contraband X is weaponized biology or chemical device ... or maybe an explosive.

If a high level terrorist organization like the CIA wants to put anything on a plane (and I do mean anything) they simply walk the perp, the substance or the device on the plane. Kind of like the black op exposed by the two American lawyers that witnessed it:

www.thegovernmentrag.com...


This $85-get-out-of-being-molested-card is all the more absurd when you realize that the above power play (underwear bomber) was the reason TPTB started nuking us/molesting us at airports. Bend over and grab your ankles, courtesy of the CIA. Our enemies are not overseas. America's enemies are running this country. Everything else is a diversion.

Originally posted by opethPA

I have never had a problem going through security checks, never saw it as some invasion of my privacy and that includes the spot check where they went through my bags or each time i have had to take my shoes off.

You probably wouldn't have a problem bending over for them too... Papiere, Bitte... Isn't it wonderful living in Nazi Amerika! TSA has modeled this method directly from the Gestapo.

Too bad the fed isnt consistent.

A background check is enough to bypass TSA screening but apparently it isnt enough for reciprocity of carry, title 2 items (still have to wait up to a year or more despite the check) and for whatever reason you have to get one done every single time you buy a gun.

It'd be nice if a "one and done" option were available.

This tells me that the feds have no clue what the hell they're doing and are just making things up as they go along.

And of course just because my check is clear doesnt mean I'm not packing five pounds of C4 where the sun don't shine.

Originally posted by imitator

Originally posted by opethPA

I have never had a problem going through security checks, never saw it as some invasion of my privacy and that includes the spot check where they went through my bags or each time i have had to take my shoes off.

You probably wouldn't have a problem bending over for them too... Papiere, Bitte... Isn't it wonderful living in Nazi Amerika! TSA has modeled this method directly from the Gestapo.

I know right..it is totally ridiculous to have security checks at airports.

It should be free,the people that do the background checks are government employees and are already being paid with our tax money to do background checks.

Originally posted by opethPA
If you choose to pay the amount then your travel experience is quicker.
If you don't then it stays the same.

edit on 5-9-2013 by opethPA because: (no reason given)

Plane still leaves at the same time. It makes little difference if you're spending that time waiting to be searched or with your ass parked on a bench.

Also as others have already pointed out, I'm pretty sure terrorists could afford $85 out of their terrorist expenses.

Just another way for them to ad a cash grab is all. It also has the added bonus of getting the willing sheep onto a database.

reply to post by elouina

doesn't this stink of elitism?

I think the word you were looking for was capitalism....it stinks of capitalism.

You know, the system that Republicans are in a love fest with...the one I'm sure you support over the evils of any type of socialist program.

Originally posted by AlienScience
reply to post by elouina

 

doesn't this stink of elitism?

I think the word you were looking for was capitalism....it stinks of capitalism.

You know, the system that Republicans are in a love fest with...the one I'm sure you support over the evils of any type of socialist program.

Capitalism has no place in a government agency ran to protect Americans. And like others mentioned, this is a huge security risk. You seem to forget that I don't support a party, I support what is right in this country, and speak out against what I feel is wrong.

reply to post by elouina


This is just further evidence that it was never about safety or security, but about a controlling central authority and getting used to being herded like. . . . .sheep?

ShadowLink

Originally posted by opethPA
If you choose to pay the amount then your travel experience is quicker.
If you don't then it stays the same.

edit on 5-9-2013 by opethPA because: (no reason given)

Plane still leaves at the same time. It makes little difference if you're spending that time waiting to be searched or with your ass parked on a bench.

Also as others have already pointed out, I'm pretty sure terrorists could afford $85 out of their terrorist expenses.

Just another way for them to ad a cash grab is all. It also has the added bonus of getting the willing sheep onto a database.

I am not trying to debate the security of it as it seems to be a system just open to be exploited.
What i am here to debate is the idea that if someone chooses to use this way to get through security they somehow think they are more elite then anyone else.

opethPA

I know right..it is totally ridiculous to have security checks at airports.

^^^ ^^^
I am beyond amused that there are still otherwise intelligent people who believe the TSA has a single goddamned thing to do with security. It's all about conditioning and probing to find the average resistence points, which upon finding result in a minor drawback then a more carefull proceeding forward until a new resistence point is encountered. Eventually everyone will look around and go "WTH? How'd we reach this rapidly boiling pot of water we're all in?"

burdman30ott6

opethPA

I know right..it is totally ridiculous to have security checks at airports.

^^^

^^^
I am beyond amused that there are still otherwise intelligent people who believe the TSA has a single goddamned thing to do with security. It's all about conditioning and probing to find the average resistence points, which upon finding result in a minor drawback then a more carefull proceeding forward until a new resistence point is encountered. Eventually everyone will look around and go "WTH? How'd we reach this rapidly boiling pot of water we're all in?"

Notice how I didn't mention the TSA in there ?

That's because I don't think, in the current iteration, they are the best way to apply security at an airport but that doesn't mean that I don't think their should not be security checks .