Would you pay for a better airport security experience

Would you be willing to pay a $100-150 annual fee and go through a background check in return for expedited, risk based screening at major U.S. airports?

The U.S. Travel Association, which is lobbying TSA to start a trusted traveler program similar to the one operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, surveyed 1000 travelers and asked that same question.

The responses to “very/somewhat likely” were:

All travelers—45%

Frequent Leisure Travelers—61%

Frequesnt Business Travelers—75%

An earlier survey also showed that with less hassle at the airport, respondents said they would take up to 2-3 more trips per year. 

(Frank II)

Comments

[Megan E.]

For me it would have to mean no pat down, no x-ray/radiation screening, no waiting in lines (before or after passport/driver's id checking) and it would have to be renewable at a lower rate without having to do all the paperwork every year.

That is, $150 for the first year, plus reams of paperwork and then $50 thereafter, with new paperwork every 3 years (or whatever).

Additionally, it would need to be usable abroad as well as in the states and at ALL airports.

Then sure, sounds good to me, even though I don't fly much.

[Jeff Mac]

I have to say that I would be very interested in seeing specifics on this. I fly enough that the airport stress is noticeable.

I think the Orlando airport currently has something similar set up but I don't know the details....

[Till]

Same as Megan here. It would have to be totally smooth and also mean no x-ray of my hand luggage and no opening of my checked luggage without me being present.

So this is even harder than what Megan suggests.

And they won't do it. Because it creates a loophole. Someone with impeccable record could be created who then brings a bomb.

So the short answer is that the idea is for people stupid enough to agree to more infringement of their privacy, pay more for it and get very little in return. It will separate Ma and Pa Kettle who are oblivious to the entire going-ons from Ma and Pa Stupid, who are easily being taken.

It shows that people have a higher drive for laziness and convenience than for privacy. Yoh! Wake up!

[Frank II--Editor]

While no official word of what it would entail, what was suggested by the U.S. travel association was:

--a dedicated line for trusted travelers
--shoes stay on and laptops stay in bags. 3-1-1 bags don't have to be taken out.
--metal detector only for person--no nude-o-scope or groping unless something was actually found.
--bags would still have to go through x-ray.

It would be open only to U.S. citizens and the background check would probably just be a standard criminal one. I'm sure it would also include fingerprinting and photo.

All of that information is already available to the government if it wants it. You're not really going to have to give up something they don't already know. Once you register and are cleared, you don't have to tell the government why you're traveling or who you are seeing.

[S]

I'm considering Global Entry but this trusted traveler program sounds to me like a lot of money and hassle for a time machine that only works at the airport.

[Monte L. Steiger]

I would have nothing to do with this. It won't make the plane leave any earlier. It won't make the boarding go faster. I'm not an impatient person when it comes to airport lines. Whomever dreamed this up needs to be smacked in the face with a diaper. The government already has enough of my personal information, and if the program gets contracted out you can kiss the confidentiality good-bye. Its like a PhD, piled higher and deeper.

[Till]

Right on, Monte. You got it.

The benefits are almost null. Most frequents are in a priority line anyway. The only thing they'd gain would be the nudoscope and quicker security but as Monte says, the plane won't leave faster. You gain a maximum of ten minutes, rather less.

The most time is wasted standing in line. The actual screening doesn't take that long. And line cutting can be had with frequent flyer status or business class tickets or credit cards.

[johanamsterdam]

Real figures all always better then polls.....

Schiphol airport offers www.privium.com service for a more luxurious border passage. Saves no time but there is no waiting and a better experience; so it saves irritation :-)
55000 members for a 45.000.000 pax in 2010!!
by the way privium memberhip also has Flux included...

[Callie]

I wouldn't give up even more of my privacy to the TSA. What would they give me in return? The sensible, streamlined process outlined by some of your other commentators? I doubt it. My best hope is for Seaport Airlines, which uses TSA-free airports, to expand to the areas I fly. The TSA has zero incentive to do its purported mission--increasing our flying security. They just keep staging the same, old security theater. TSA management is trying to ban airports from switching to private sector companies that do the job better for less money. TSA rank and file pursue their own satisfaction. I don't just mean those who steal from luggage and fondle infants, 6 year olds, and 96 year olds. I mean those who sought to unionize. Just another greedy, incompetent government bureaucracy run amok.