So on a lark I decided to sign up for the Registered Traveler program. Pay $128 (minus my discount code) and I get to waltz through an express security line. Why did I do this?
- I'm sick of taking off my shoes and turning off my laptop
- I wanted to see what all the "sky is falling" privacy activists were talking about
Now, I'm as big a privacy advocate as any, but as Bill Joy said, "you have no privacy anymore." Once I tried to Western Union a friend some cash, and WU knew my past 3 addresses and phone numbers. Why should I be paranoid about sharing information that credit bureaus already know? Hell, they remember more about me than I do, which can be useful when I forget my old college addresses and want to reminisce about my old roommates.
The questionnaire was like when I got my new car insurance (ditching GEICO for State Farm saved be $100/month, btw). Where did I live, what is my drivers' license number, etc etc. How is this intrusive? I give that information out all the time to banks, phone companies, etc. If anything this gives me
more privacy since now TSA weasels don't have me stripping in public or turning on my laptop to examine my raunchy start-up background.
The next step is I have to go to a American Express Travel Center (thankfully near my office) and show them my license and passport, and *boom* I can get my SmartCard and waltz through security like a human being.
The system may not be perfect, in fact if you're a regular reader of Patrick Smith's
Ask the Pilot you should be aware of all sorts of problems with Airport Security Theater, but $100/year is a small price to pay for getting some of my dignity back.
Part 2 on Tuesday: Getting "vetted."
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