I flew about 100 times last year, and really have no interest in meeting my maker because some brainwashed Muslim fundamentalist has a desire to prematurely meet his, but with 72 virgins on his arm. At the same time, I also have no particular interest in having the TSA make me wait in line for an hour, crawl up my butt sideways, pat me down like a dime store hood, only to find a rolled up Double-mint wrapper in my pocket. So what’s the fix?
Well, that’s been the million dollar travel question, and has been since 9/11. In an attempt to provide a safe travel environment in the United States, the TSA was created and immediately implemented policies shortly after the attacks on the Twin Towers. These policies are very difficult to live with for most air travelers. We now have to check in much earlier in order make time for long security lines that force us to remove our shoes and jackets, check our personal items or put them in small containers, and get patted down on a routine basis. Trust me – its not a lot of fun.
But, the truth of the matter is that not every single person is a security risk, and a few bad apples are spoiling the bunch. The TSA has decided that racial profiling is not acceptable, so regular citizens that travel routinely for business purposes or infrequently for personal reasons are scrutinized the same was as a foreigner checking onto the plane with no luggage and who pays cash for his ticket. It doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense if the ultimate goal is to make air travel as safe and convenient as possible. Well, think I have a plan that does.
The plan starts with this main premise, and logical conclusions: All air travelers that are not screened are an unknown security risk. Therefore:
- The more air travelers are screened in advance, the less risk they pose.
- The less risk an air traveler poses, the less security is needed for that person, and the more security can be given to higher risk people.
- The more security given to higher risk people, the safer and more convenient our travel will be.
Now that sounds pretty simple, but how would you implement a plan that would allow for advance screening without racial profiling, while at the same time, providing equal screening treatment for all. Simple – I think.
Let’ start with the first point – the more air travelers are screened in advance, the less risk they pose. To be fair, if you don’t want to be screened in advance, you should really be subject to the most intense level of travel security. So I say, everyone should have the option to be screened in advance as a trade off to being allowed to get through security with less difficulty. If that means background checks, employment checks, FBI checks, whatever, I’m for it.
In addition, I’m all for creating a “secure frequent business traveler” cooperative program. Employees of American companies as well as these companies should have the option to participate in it, and be offered tax break incentives if they do. Basically, the program would give employers the opportunity to provide a list of frequent business travelers to the TSA, and give them an identification card to present at security. In order to be considered for the program an employee would be required to pass a standard background screening check on an annual basis, subject to criteria set by the TSA. A fee would be charged by the TSA for each participant that would either be payed by the company or the traveler. Since it would all be voluntary, there is no discrimination or profiling. Employees would be categorized as different security risks based on length of employment or participation in the program.
As far as employers go, in order to be considered for the program, a company would have to be based in the United States, have a dedicated employee or department to oversee the program, have been in existence for a minimum number of years, have a minimum number of employees, and open its business traveler program to screening as well. Again, since it would all be voluntary, there is no discrimination or profiling. In return for being offered incentives to participate in the program, companies would also be subject to massive penalties if they did not manage the program effectively, or an employee violated at TSA regulation at the fault of the employer.
The same could be set up for non-business travelers who want to go through advanced screening. If you want to get through security with less trouble and be issued an identification card, agree to subject yourself to advance screening. I’m not sure how the program would be implemented, or what the guidelines would be, but it would probably be where you would go to an airport or go online and fill out an application for an identification card. Once you get the card, you now are able to go through airport security the same way a frequent business traveler would. I will say that for this program it might be kind of hard to manage because these folks would really have to be checked hard, but i suppose its possible
The bottom line – everyone would have a VOLUNTARY option to participate in a secure frequent traveler program, subjecting themselves to advanced screening, subjecting the general air traveler public to less safety risk, and ultimately allowing them to pass through security with less scrutiny.
Now to point 2: The less risk an air traveler poses, the less security is needed for that person, and the more security can be given to higher risk people. I’m not sure what the exact numbers would be, but it would stand to reason that a large majority of all travelers would opt to participate in the “secure frequent business traveler” or “secure frequent traveler” programs within a short period of time. Who knows, maybe that number might even be as high as 90% or so. For the balance of those people who would not participate in the program, they would still have the right to fly, but it would be a heck of a lot tougher.
This could be easily managed because most people would be slipping through the low risk security lines, while the unscreened would be removing their jackets and shoes, having their carry-on and checked bags inensely x-rayed, and waiting in line for a thorough pat down while they were checked against the “no-fly” list. The way I look at it, if you don’t want to travel this way, open yourself up to screening – plain and simple.
To the final point: The more security given to higher risk people, the safer and more convenient our travel will be. Make no mistake, just because you’re given a security card and have passed advanced screening, it doesn’t mean you can get out of your cab and slip through the jet-way. You will still have to pass through security and have your bags scanned, but because you have been screened in advance, the level of scrutiny will be much less intense, and ultimately quicker and easier. Conversely, much more time can now be spent on the unscreened, making air travel much safer and more convenient for all.
That being said, there will always be risk when flying. It seems to be the terror method of choice right now to scare Americans and slow down our economy. However, I can honestly tell you that the reason most flights are safe is not necessarily because of great security procedures and personnel, because prior to 9/11 air travel and the new TSA security policies, it was extremely safe and travelers flew with little concern. The reason that most flights are safe is because most people are low security risks to begin with, have nothing to hide, and airlines do an unbelievable job of maintaining safe aircraft and competent pilots. Customer service is another subject!!!
If the TSA and the Obama administration are really concerned with safe and convenient air travel for all, its time to start thinking outside the box. I’ll be the first to sign up!
