"Trusted Traveler"

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Friday, July 15. 2011

I cannot count the number of times I have flown nationally and internationally over the past 20 years. I am a Christian, native-born, tax-paying, property-owning, passport-holding American with kids, with no criminal record (yet). If I am not a "trusted traveler," I don't know who is. True, I often fly with firearms in my checked luggage, but nobody cares much about that.

(Although I do not really mind some basic security precautions at airports, I much prefer flying privately with friends who have, or treat me to, their NetJets deals, where you just drive onto the tarmac and the co-pilot loads your gear for you and then asks you whether you want a drink while some helper takes your car to the lot. Can you have a cigar on private and charter jets? Certainly can.)

Maybe there is some hope. The bumbling, expensive, soon-to-be-unionized joke (termed by pilots "Thousands Standing Around") of the TSA to roll out ‘Trusted Traveler’ program. (I have to mention that I still think Bush's Homeland Security Dept. was a dumb and unnecessary move.)

Anyway, trust me, Uncle Sam. Sign me up for this. I do not like being treated like a criminal.

Posted by The Barrister in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects, Our Essays at 14:22 | Comments (13) | Trackbacks (0)

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Barrister ... I've been saying, for at least four years, that the TSA is eventually going to kill off commercial airlines with their stupid and insulting treatment of innocent Americans. Americans who must fly frequently for their work commitments, are going to buy fractions of time on private jets like Netjets where one is still treated like a respected American citizen and not stripped and groped by intrusive agents. Because it symbolizes the insults Americans have been submitted to by intrusive Big Government types, I still cherish Janet Stupitano's answer to some citizen who protested against his/her harsh treatment, "Well, i guess you aren't going to be flying today, are you."

When the Administration changes and she hits the highway, I'm going to break my rule and have a single malt to celebrate.

Marianne

#1 Marianne Matthews on 2011-07-15 14:32 (Reply)

I thought you only got groped if you set off the metal detector and you refused to go through the X (rated)-ray machine. I haven't flown recently (something I'm glad for), so I don't know, but it seems from all the stories about six year olds and teenagers getting pawed by the TSA that the situation is much worse than I had imagined.

I'd prefer the airline conduct security for the plane. I would fly on the plane where you flew naked with a gun. :-)

#1.1 mudbug on 2011-07-15 15:26 (Reply)

I can't stand traveling and going through those lines.
A) I know I'm clear, but I also realize SOME level of checking is required. I will let them scan my baggage and my shoes. The pat downs are bit much, thank you. Save those for suspicious folks.
B)I don't like that they lump us all into the same lines. I'm experienced, prepared, and get through quickly. The unprepared student, the harried parent or family, the slow elderly person - please create separate lines for them. I see some airports have "experienced traveler" lines - those seem to work very well.
C)I'm all for profiling. Racial or otherwise. Criminals do engage certain behaviors. There is a reason El Al has a fine safety record.

#2 Rick on 2011-07-15 14:49 (Reply)

TSA patted down Don Rumsfeld in Chicago. I guess he doesn't have any friends with Netjets coupons.

#3 Charles Curran on 2011-07-15 15:54 (Reply)

So every terrorist out there will sign up for the Trusted Traveler Program. Homeland security will accommodate them because doing otherwise would be racist.

#4 NJSoldier on 2011-07-15 16:07 (Reply)

From the article:

"Initially, the program will only be available to Delta passengers flying out of Atlanta or Detroit, and American Airlines passengers departing Miami or Dallas."

Could they have picked any more scary cities than 3 out of 4 of those are?! If I'm TSA in Detroit, I'm checking every one of those people!

#5 Big___Al on 2011-07-15 16:33 (Reply)

Tell you what TB - I will absolutely guarantee you that the "Trusted Traveler" program won't last more than a couple of months. Some civil rights lawyer will get a hair across and initiate a suit because the Trusted Traveler is getting special treatment and it will be come a matter of equal rights. Watch and see if it doesn't happen.

Also you have to remember that you're dealing with complete morons here - Janet Napolitano and John Pistole - two people who just don't care about what the average citizen thinks or does - they have the power and they choose to exercise it. They will find a way to screw with the "Trusted Travelers".

#6 Tom Francis on 2011-07-15 16:55 (Reply)

TSA is a den of thieves. What's yours is theirs if they want it.

I just flew cross country. Checked one bag. My prescription painkillers were gone when I arrived, but not my other, non-narcotic meds.

On the return flight I had a nice $125 folding pocket knife with a 2.5" blade [which was in my checked bag, and which had arrived safely after my initial flight]. But it was gone when I opened the bag after my return flight.

Thanks a lot, TSA. When 0bama succeeds in demonizing private airplane owners, The Barrister's cigars and anything else they fancy will be fair game for Norman Mineta's TSA kleptocrats.

#7 Smokey (Link) on 2011-07-15 18:15 (Reply)

Could have sworn the homeland security bureau was a dem dream/suggestion. Certainly fits their m/o. Pres. Bush did sign it into being (the monster that will not die)but he opposed the unionizing because he and the pubbies feared if they were union, they would behave exactly like what we have seen the unions do since obama came to rule.

#8 J on 2011-07-15 20:22 (Reply)

I do not like being treated like a criminal.

Better get used to it. As far as Barry Lackwit and his orcs are concerned, anyone who still values old-fashioned American freedoms IS a criminal.

#9 wolfwalker on 2011-07-15 21:16 (Reply)

DHS was a good idea, the original intent being to smooth communication and coordinate operations between existing security and intelligence services.

What's it over the years (probably inevitably, given it's a bureaucracy with far reaching powers and authority) become is something quite different and an insult to the constitution.

#10 J.T. Wenting on 2011-07-16 04:57 (Reply)

Must I state the obvious?
The occasional terrorist attack on an American passenger plane might be less detrimental to America's freedom than are the oppressive and irrational intrusions by the TSA.

#11 PacRim Jim (Link) on 2011-07-16 11:32 (Reply)

Hey, don't blame GWB too much. The Dems insisted on the DHS -- gotta do something! More bureaucracy, yay, great idea, another agency! The momentum was there, and Bush saw he was shovelling against the tide.

#12 KBK on 2011-07-16 20:26 (Reply)

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Friday, July 15. 2011

"Trusted Traveler"