Choire Sicha: "I GIVE TSA PRECHECK AN A+++ IN AWESOMENESS. Though I also give it a D- in 'Constitutional and Human Fairness Issues.'"

  • awjt

    my interview is next month…

  • Guest

    I preferred cash for clunkers to cash for dignity. 

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/OKEONAMLFIOS5WI7MPQY6SXBCQ IRMO

    Why not go all the way and start registering the distinction between nobles and commoners in our ID cards? 

  • RHK

     Sounds like the old pre-9/11 screening procedure back before the good ol’ US of A decided everyone wanting to travel by plane is a suspected terrorist.

  • That_Anonymous_Coward

    So it only costs $100 to not get your balls cupped?!

    They so got that backwards, normally she charges more for extras…

    • EH

      “Keep the tip!”

    • HarveyBoing

      Don’t worry. Even with the pre-screening, you still have a chance of being fondled and subjected to all the other stuff too. This program doesn’t actually guarantee that you avoid all that.

      • That_Anonymous_Coward

         What the hell man… I mean its like 10 times what the TSA agents were charging to take me to the head of the line in a wheelchair

  • Brainspore

    Rob, I believe the program is actually called “TSA Pre✓™”.

  • Don

    Beats the hell out of choosing between “get looked at naked” and “get groped by a stranger.”

    Now there’s a low-security path to the airplane (precheck) and a high-security path to the airplane (non-precheck).  Of course terrorists will voluntarily take the high-security path.

  • Daemonworks

    Pay $100, go back to the old security system, which is faster and catches exactly the same number of threats as the new one: none.

  • http://thelizardman.com The Lizardman

    At many airports I have found that the premium customer lanes for those with 1st class tickets or enough frequent flyer miles (like myself) are just the old metal detectors and thus allow you to go through without having to endure a pat down due to opting out of the scanners.  The enforcement on using these lines is pretty lax and worth a shot even if you don’t qualify.  Some airports also have multiple security checkpoints and by using one that is less convenient for location you might also avoid the porno-scanners, I’ve been thinking of compiling a list to help people avoid them. 

    • http://profiles.google.com/westcarleton Ray Perkins

      I  just flew from Guadalajara to Dallas on American and only had to go through a metal detector. Chain as strong as weakest link, etc…

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=605846561 Michael Scheuermann

        I flew from Guadalajara to LAX last November and they took most everything out of all travelers’ bags during screening.  It was a looooong wait.

  • billstewart

    This program, like “Clear” and some of its other predecessors, is the TSA’s way of extorting bribes from travelers in return for not being harassed.  It’s a lot like those guys who offer to “watch your car” in the Yankee stadium parking lot, for $5 they’ll make sure nuthin’ happens to it, only it’s your government doing it to you to “protect your freedom.”  I don’t know if it’s better or worse to have the TSA doing it themselves instead of selling the privilege to private contractors to extort the bribes, like some of the previous programs.