Sale – Only $85 to keep your shoes on!
Ever since 9/11, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees have been making the lives of airline travelers miserable with long delays, excessive searches, belligerent attitudes and inappropriate leering.
Among the activities that make these security lines ridiculously slow when you have a plane to catch are opening up your briefcase to display your laptop and removing your shoes and belt to place them in a tray.
Well, guess what. Now you can try to pay your way out of some of that. According to a new TSA policy, if you qualify, you can provide them with $85 and your fingerprints in exchange for keeping your laptop in its case and keeping your shoes and belt on.
This expedited screening process is called the PreCheck program. At first, only those enrolled in frequent flyer programs were eligible for this “great deal,” but now consideration is given to everyone who applies.
So, here are my immediate questions about this. Is it necessary for our security that travelers remove their shoes and belts at airport checkpoints or isn’t it? And is it necessary for our security that passengers remove their laptops from their cases or isn’t it? If it’s not necessary, then why are people forced to do it? And if it is necessary, why is it suddenly not required for those who want to pay their way out of it?
I think this program should be re-named the PreCheck Extortion Program. Isn’t that what it’s really about? Of course, an added benefit to the government with the PreCheck program is the accumulation of more sets of fingerprints for their databases, but the bottom line is that we’re being forced to pay to be treated in a more civilized manner, and if that isn’t extortion, I don’t know what is.
Is the PreCheck program something you want to look into for yourself? Would it be worth it to you to pay $85 and provide the TSA with your fingerprints in order to have a slightly better airport check-in experience? Please let me know what you think.
I was flying for the USAF during Missions over North Korea when my Plane was hit by our two right engines on fire! My Pilot decided to not jump with our parachute because it was night and we did not have any Oxygen & we were not taught how long to free fall because at night we did not know how long to fall & if we were above 13,500 feet, we could die without Oxygen. And if we fell too long we might hit the Mountain! So we were SCARED! My Pilot decided to put out the fires and he made it to Puson were we Crashed landed and burned up the plane! That was Christmas Night 1951. Then in 1956, the Air Force sent me to Florida at Air Force Base training and I was going to fly for 8 hours to help me earn $ 200 so I could pay to have my wife come down to Palm Beach, but another student talked me out of flying, one hour from take off, and I toke him for a car license tag, and we watched that same aircraft crashed killing 5 men! Then in 1961, I could not fly anymore because of fear, and the Doctor took me off of flying duty! Another man took my place on my Crew Flying Duty, and their plane accidently crashed into two other Planes together, killing 13 men! So you can be sure that I will NOT ever go into an Airplane to fly any more! I gave over 4,000 hours doing my duty for my Country! God has saved me with 3 Wars during 11 years of duty! I have had it enough of SCARY things. I do not like to go inside of our Airport to help my Daughter which is coming this may, and she has to meet me out side to my Car! I do not care if I am a SCARDY CAT!
I don’t fly because I refuse to deal with the TSA but I hear people not wanting to do the take advantage of this program because they don’t want to give the government their information. Do you really think the government doesn’t already have it?
My fingerprints were taken shortly after I was born, once more by a policeman who came in to fingerprint my entire 4th grade class, and again when I served in the military. Any 12 year old hacker can easily get all the information the TSA asks for with little effort; I understand not wanting to give the information out but the government already has it.
It’s just a form of disguised taxation.
HELL NO !! More overt extortion !! HELL NO !! .. FUCK the government and their TSA goon squad minions !! .. They can ALL go >> “kiss my (Irish) ass in Macy’s window at high-freaken noon” !! Fuckeen Fascists !!! …..
Well folks, the ONLY time I or my wife will EVER fly again is to leave the country and never return. Seven years ago I nearly had the opportunity to go to Australia, had a job all lined up, and the company I was to work for would have helped me move, find a place to live and a car. Butt somehow our government got involved and all was stopped. I’ve never been arrested, jailed, or in any way in trouble with the law, very little debt, and a military brat. I saw what was coming with this joke of an administration and wanted to go some place my wife and I have always wanted to go, and go for a long time, like a 10 year work visa. Well it all got stopped by our various government departments. Too bad, because I don’t think we would have ever come back. I know AU has very strict gun control, butt they also don’t allow all the bull crap our government does, illegal immigration is not tolerated and you have to know how to read and write in English if you want to live there. Hmmmm, what a concept. Here in the good old USA just come on in, drop a kid, and you can stay. Hell just come on in and we will displace 5 US born citizens for one of you illegals. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE AMERICA, but this is not America any more. All the tree hugging, liberal extremist, socialist, wacko Gay, Transgender, freeloading nut jobs have bleed Her nearly dry. This country has become fat and lazy with an attitude of ” I’ve got mine screw everyone else.”
I have watched a 18 month old child get striped naked and TSA attempt to do a rectal search on the child for the reason given that the child may be carrying an explosive!!!! Really??? WTF??? No folks I WILL NEVER FLY, unless it is to leave and never return….. God bless America, God help America, God help Her people.
You had me on your side up until the “Gay” comment. Being Gay is no more a choice than breathing is a choice. You were obviously born with a strong attraction toward women. How would you feel if I told you that you have to be attracted to men? But you couldn’t because you are attracted to women. I was born gay just like you were born straight.
I am a hardcore Republican, A hard working tax paying citizen. I don’t believe in Obama or his gang of idiots in the Black House. I don’t believe in welfare unless it is really needed and then only for a certain time frame. I don’t believe in illegal immigration, Obamacare, Gun Control, or the slow elimination of our freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship and Privacy.
The bad thing about this program is that anybody that is going to do something like a terrorist movement has money. This means we will give them a free ride if they pay ahead of time. What is the difference them? Americans who are just traveling to see thiere families will get stoped and those wanting to do harm will just go through because they payed the $85.00. Sounds to me there is something wrong in this??? LETS THINK ABOUT THIS. Next time you vote. Vote for the right person. Not just some joker that owns oil wells, or somebody that just wants to have power. I know, lets get the president of venezuela to be our president? It’s all a joke. Vote in the right way. not just becaouse he is republican or Democrate. The person that is best for our country.
I have only flown twice since 9-11 and both times I was with a church group and we did not have to go through any of the crap other people were going through. We as a group were identified by our church leader and we went through the line with a quick once over and I was never touched by any of the agents nor were any of the rest of us. Our carry on baggage was put through some sort of xray machine and none of our bags were opened. Our whole group was on our way to the plane in less than 5 minutes and there were 23 of us total. I prefer to travel with a gun when I leave home so I go by car or SUV 99.9% of the time. My future travel plans do not include flying.
I don’t fly unless necessary — it’s just not fun anymore, largely due to the long security lines. But I would never pay $85 to give them my fingerprints!
I understand the reasoning behind tightened security ! but !! it should not be allowed to buy your way out of the process !! then no one is truly safer than they were before !! and you have a congested mess at the airport for no reason !! they want fingerprints , I will show them my chl , my background and fingerprints they had already anyway I’m a veteran !! I am not paying for a privelage chl veterans should already have !! we have paid enough !!
What countries in history have done such tactics?
Hitler’s Germany for one. Only Dictatorships need these kind of things because they are afraid for their life, and not worried about yours.
Wake Up! America is about to become a Dictatorship.
The Constitution requires a warrant for search and seizure actions.
I have a problem with this new tactic. Why in the Blue Moon would I subject myself to self-incrimination by having my personal data and finger prints be taken. Whereby, I have to pay $85.00 for this privilege? I know that I was born at night; but, not last night. The claim is this action will ensure that I will not be inconvenient while checking-in at the airport, Right? Wrong! This action will put me under the thumb of Government control. How? First I must fill out a form and give the Government all my personal data and information. Next, I supply the government with a copy of my finger prints. Now the Government is in business. They now have all my personal data and information like: Name, Address, Social Security number, Telephone number, cell phone number, credit card number, bank account number, your log on address, your driver’s license number, your pass port number (if you have one), where you work and with whom and for how long, will your air trips be business or pleasure, the names of your immediate family members, their telephone numbers and addresses, and lets not forget the names of your cat, dog, or gold fish.
After compiling all this information it goes into a computer which the TSA shares with the NSA and FBI and CIA (if you leave the country), and any and all local law enforcement agencies and government agencies that may have need of locating you for what ever. I mean from a felony warrants to parking tickets. So when you take that trip to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you can be sure that when you return home the police may be greeting you as you get off the plane.
Hey Stupid, you just gave your whole life not to mention your privacy and possibly your freedom away along with your family just so you can beat the crowds at the airport; to make you feel important. So how do you feel now? Now that you gave the Government everything that they needed to know, but, was prohibit by law to obtain about you? Pretty stupid, I hope.
To add insult to injury the Government got you to pay for it, $85.00 to give your life away. And you know what? The Government is talking about making you pay this fee every 5 years. This is so you can update your information with the Government.
The Government already has a program like this in the trucking industry. They don’t want transient men and women crisscross the country without keeping tabs on them. They too have to pay $85.00 every 5 years to hold their CDL, professional drivers license. The Government doesn’t want any terrorists hauling freight across the country.
So if you fall for this gimmick, I must ask you – is it really worth the price of your personal freedoms just so you can sit waiting for a plane to open its doors? Just remember, the plane won’t leave until the rest of the passengers get through the screening process and they will all be with you waiting for the same plane waiting for it to open its doors too, and you paid $85.00 for the convenience of it all.
Next time you go through the airport, why not just hand the TSA your house and car keys and tell them to make themselves right at home because they now have everything the need to know and wasn’t afraid to ask, you just gave it to them willingly!
Do we really need to be checked at all?
Do you know it is illegal to have boarder check points between states?
If somebody wants to blow up a plane they can just shoot them down from the ground?
The reason we got all this is 9/11 but it has been more than 10 years now. It is time to get over it.
I still think the USA should do as Israel does; they have no problems and they DO stereotype!
regarding tsa roadchecks- if you INSIST in asking am i being detained? they will have to let you GO. FILM EVERYTHING. youtube has MANY examples of this. do yourselves a favor and check it out. better to die on your feet than live on your knees. pancho villa
Who’s worse East German Stassi, Russian KGB, Hatian TonTon Makut, American TSA?
How about, D – All the Above.
One way to save bother, money, and effort when you fly to visit friends or relatives is to never have luggage. Go to the Goodwill or Wallmart after arriving, buy some cheap clothes, wear them during your visit, and leave them there in a plastic bag in the attic or basement for the next time. This works especially well in winter going from south to north.
The last time I was boarding a plane was at DFWDallas.
The woman ahead of me had on that long. dress and scarf over her head. She didn’t have to take off her SHE DID NOT HAVE TAKE OFF HER SHOES!!
I WILL TRY MY BEST NOT TO FLY AGAIN!!! I was terribly shocked by this action. I am 83 yrs old, had to have my purse searched, take off my shoes, socks, and belt to hold my jeans up .You could see how the inspecters enjoyed the show!! What is wrong with our country’s leaders they allow OUTSIDERS to get through the check points and will not let AMERICAN
people to get through. That disease (Obelo) is coming from Africa, and a lot more countries. Why isn’t Obelax is not stopping illegal foreigners coming into our country along with the Mexicans ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!!!! IN GOD WE TRUST!!! not some yokle who does not know anything. ????
Why do I have to settle for subpar? When I go anywhere I walk with pride. Why should I bow down to stupidly at its finest? It is bad enough that I tolerate my person to be searched for contraband items, to leave my luggage unlocked so that the baggage handlers can rummage through them to seal what they can. Now you want me to leave my cloths behind and go shopping at Goodwill? Tell you what, how about the Government pay me to leave my personal items behind and give me a $1000.00 to go shopping on. This way I can purchase new clothes and support the local economy. Lets inconvenience the Government for a change. Lets make them work for their money, after all I’m paying their salary, and I do like getting my money’s worth.
To clarify, similar to a passport, one needs to apply well in advance for the privilege of the Pre-Check “pass”. I’ve known some who are “low risk” regular folks that have had to submit to interviews in addition to submitting the usual documentation and fingerprints. Of note, when recently travelling with my husband and kids on a domestic flight, I was sent to the “pre-check” line twice as a “courtesy”. Of course, I found this hilarious, as I was the one in possession of the electronic gear for the entire family: computers, wires and plugs of all descriptions, GPS, hand held devices- all the things that would have been red flags for an automatic “hand search” in the “regular” line. So perhaps I should hire myself out to the TSA as an undercover “test” passenger – maybe they feel I look innocent enough? Of note, I already have been fingerprinted as required by my profession and my employer – they have my prints anyway.
In many/most cases, if you have a military ID card (regular, reserve, Guard, retired–don’t know about dependents), you should be able to get this for free and no fingerprints.
TOO CONFUSING. TOO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO BUY WHEN YOU DONT WANT THAT ITEM.
Just another form of “shake down” extortion.
I do a lot of international flying, although I am much more careful today about where I go than I used to be several years ago. Just as a matter of information, this program is not new but is several years old. It was actually put into place for people who fly out of the country to make it faster and easier to pass thru customs in foreign countries as well as in the U.S. It used to cost $100 for 5 years (a really good deal for $20/year!) What the cost is today I don’t know.
It does work quite well – and it certainly is nice not to have to take off your shoes and your belt, etc. when going thru the line. The line at the pre-check point used to be very short, which is not the case anymore unfortunately since anyone can now buy one of the passes.
However as many of you have pointed out, and I think about this a lot when I travel, it certainly does make it easier for a terrorist to smuggle almost any type of device onto a plane.
They do give you quite a screening when you apply for this, including finger printing of course, but as we all know there are many ways to get around these types of screenings if you don’t have any criminal record.
So now, the government which is supposed to be protecting us, is actually cashing in on terrorists who are willing to pay $85 to sneak a bomb aboard, all courtesy of our TSA. Absolutely freaking wonderful. The government gets richer, and we get less safe! It’s time to impeach the bum and get rid of TSA as well!
So someone can carry a bomb on to a plane for just $85. Another reason not to fly.
Are you crazy? Hell, no! Unless, of course, you want to catch up with the rascal you gave the money to and waylay him after he gets off work! No, absolutely not! Do NOT kneel to extortion!!!! Are you a slave? If so, we need to deport you!
So why can’t they accept my finger print card or CCW permit since it requires a background check. I should be able to present any of these and receive a courtesy pass.
Not unlike many on this site I too have quit flying, I will only fly in an emergency where I have to be somewhere in less time than I can drive. What stands out in my mind is how easy it is to steal someones identity these days. What happens if you pay your $85 bucks, some extremist steals your identity boards a plane and turns it into dust? The next time you show up at an airport your met by the SWAT team and thrown to the ground in front of you wife and kids. Here where I live you can get fake ID’s made with your finger print on them for the same amount or less. How long before terrorists figure this one out? We still have a missing Mylasian airliner, think this approach would have eleminated the problem? NOT!!!!! There is an old saying “if they want you bad enough they will get you sooner or later.” This path is the one that leads to micro-chiping and sooner or later if you want to fly THAT will be what you have to have. Sooner or later THAT is what you will have to have to do anything in this country. Just an opinion.
I stopped flying the very day TSA took up residence at the airports across America. I fly only private planes now. And believe it or not, it’s not that much more expensive. If you idiots who still fly commercial don’t start banding together and boycotting commercial airlines, then you deserve to be slaves. Seriously; I’m not joking. This is a serious matter.
Like many others, I no longer fly in or over American airspace. For unknown reasons (and they aren’t about to tell you why) I have been on the “no-fly list” since 2003. Once you’re on, there is no getting off or mechanism to appeal or sue. Pre-2001 I used to fly weekly for work and for several years worked for TWA.
The advantage is that I don’t have to worry about the TSA at airports. The disadvantage…
I was told recently that beginning next year, TSA is going to shift the emphasis from “no-fly” to “no-travel.” I have personally seen TSA checkpoint lines at AMTRAK and Greyhound stations. I have been told that if they won’t let you fly, you won’t be able to use those methods either.
There is a high probability that this will extend even farther in the forseeable future. I’m certain that many of you have read about the TSA highway VIPR program where the TSA is setting up roadblocks on major Interstate highways and checking automobiles and ID. If the “Real-ID” is ever implemented, this will also mean that TSA can prevent you from using your own automobile to cross state lines. Of course this is illegal and unconstitutional, but that’s the government we live (suffer) under these days.
the government puts the mafia to shame
My index finger was printed to renew my drivers license, Full fingerprints on both hands for my CC Permit, Full fingerprints back in the late 60’s for background check in order to join the Navy.
So why does TSA need another set of prints? If I flew often I’d probably concede to this scam, but only fly a couple times a year now.
Last year on vacation I bought a bag of Himalyan Sea Salt, and had to open my bag for TSA to open the bag of salt and put various chemicals on to see if it were some type of explosive, nearly causing me to miss my flight.
If one can pass a background check to get a CCP, why can’t one get a similar ID Card to board an airplane without the hassle(s) ???
I no longer fly! I’m disabled and find it both difficult and demeaning to be “patted down” and questioned like either a criminal or an idiot!
I have an implanted medical device so I cannot go through a scanner, also since I am usually in a wheelchair, I bypass the checkpoint. However, the “personal” attention I receive almost makes the $85 a bargain. You would think being a wounded Soldier would get you some level of “he’s okay” status, but unfortunately not!
Does anyone actually believe that a suicide bomber cares whether or not he/she is finger-printed and that someone might figure out their true identity before they blow something up? I can see where possible red flags could be drawn for certain individuals when applying for the PreCheck program, but how many unknown individuals are there out there that have nefarious ideas or are part of a terrorist organization that never even make a blip on the authorities radar? The way it stands it’s just another way to generate income.
Frank there is one more thing you need to add to your story. That is what happen to info. shairing. My fingerprints are already on file at the state and TSA
I believe this is called “PURE EXTORTION!” This is BS! This CRIMINAL organization called the TSA has absolute “CRIMINALS” running the organization and now they’ve added “EXTORTION” to their agenda!
The fingerprinting is confusing. I have a commercial drivers license that I got fingerprinted for and FBI background. Cost me $100. Then I have fingerprinting and FBI background check for my Concealed Handgun License. That cost me $100. Now in order to bypass TSA screening the want another bone and bacground check. Tell you what, why don’t they just come to my yearly physical and they can get a sample and take a good look. Then maybe I can save all this money. Just make sure to bring gloves. So many different databases to satisfy. Mess up.
I used to fly to Brasil but now I take my motorcycle! Longer but what a trip.Enjoyable!
In banana republics one expects to pay extortions to facilitate one’s way through ordinary life experiences that are controlled by the bureaucracy.
Dear Frank,
This is just one more example of our corrupt government in action.
The basic mission of the TSA is nobel and a good idea in this day and age of terrorism and just plain crazies. HOWEVER, the TSA is a politically correct, screwed up mess!
I know for sure that if every airports would contract security to a professional local private sector company … not a national corp like Pinkerton (they are mega corps and just as disfunctional as the government) the security experience at airports would improve greatly.
Of course, erasing a governemt bureacracy will never happen in our lifetimes.
Your Friend,
OMK
Hi Frank!! Thanks for all your info. I just flew last week and was given the pre-check without paying. I had no idea what it was but I was given that status but my boyfriend still had to take his shoes off. I was thinking the same thing, either it’s necessary or it’s not for EVERYONE. I was only given the pre-check in Sacramento. In Long Beach I still had to take my shoes off and get my laptop out. I work in Childcare and am fingerprinted but I know databases don’t usually talk to each other……or do they now?????
Hey Frank,
I quit flying years ago, back in the 70s I think. I always found flying boring anyway so no great loss. However; I understand your point. You no doubt have heard old sayings that power corrupts or that rules are made to be broken? This pretty much describes TSA to me. It’s just another bureaucratic bunch of bull.
It’s clearly a shake-down, money making enterprise. Those people should be thrown in jail. On the other hand I might offer five bucks instead of $85 and then scream for the cops when my offer was refused claiming extortion and refuse to take off my shoes. I love a good fight especially when I know I am right. I would then claim I was assaulted when hands were placed on me.
@smedal, sadly you would yell…then they would arrest you…we are just pawns on a board to them! :(