So... Did I read that right? The $80 to avoid long lines, goes to the security company, who's job it is to get people through secuity lines quickly? Sounds to me like incentive to keep the lines moving slowly to entice more people to pay them $80 to avoid those lines. That's a great buisness plan. Where can I buy stock in that company?

One of the benefits of money is not waiting in line. At the extreme end, fly privately. Plane goes when you're ready, zero security check wait. Or fly commercial and fly first or business - faster check-in, and a priority security line at many airports. Only makes sense to let people choose between spending money or time.

Maybe if he'd been singing Rock The Casbah he would have been applauded instead of arrested:

The king called up his jet fighters

He said you better earn your pay

Drop your bombs between the minarets

Down the Casbah way

"London Caling" was also, perhaps ironically, used as a soundtrack for a Jaguar ad a couple of years ago.

Airport "security" has nothing to do with security and everything to do with teaching people to witlessly obey the commands of high school dropout security guards. And while they're checking your shoes and arguing with you over whether you should take one or two plastic trays, there are unsecured airport workers, many of them on the lowest rung of the economic ladder, walking around unchecked in every corner of the place, and down at the port there are thousands of completely unscreened containers, many of them full of illegal immigrants. It's a sham, the whole thing's a sham. And up on Capitol Hill the lawmakers are screwing prostitutes in the hospitality suite.

I think Joe Strummer would be pleased that his songs still stir the ire of "the authorities" after all these years. The moves toward Complete Control taken in the name of security are just what The Clash were warning about.

BTW, I don't think the song London Calling was much of a commercial hit on the album. That distinction lies with Train in Vain, the insipid disco tune that closed the record. Joe and the lads were so embarassed by it, the song was even listed on the cover of the original release back in '79.

- Huge Clash Fan

Sharif don't like it.

Patrick,

I have to disagree with your assessment of the Registered Traveler program as something intended "for those who can afford it". I would characterize it as something for those that need it. At $80 a year, it's a non-starter for casual holiday travelers and a no-brainer for frequent flyers. I agree that we should expect the TSA to streamline the whole security screening process, but you're dealing with the government, and the fact is, government is totally incapable of doing anything efficiently, including getting "rid of the bottlenecks". Since when did the goverment ever "deal with its own incompentence"? As you note, though, the discussion is moot--the TSA will eventually modify the program such that there aren't any real advantages to it.

I enjoy your column and bought your book. Keep it up.

Thanks,

Mark

...what's up with seperate security lanes for first class customers? Seems to me that security is supposed to be a government service. So what next, first class flyers won't have to pay tolls on the way to the airport?

Seems absurd, I pay my taxes and I pay for airline tickets. My taxes pay for security and my ticket price pays for appripriate accomodations and travel. Why should the amount I pay for tickets affect my trip through security?

By the way, any progress on screening airplane caterers and cleaners? Seems like we remain focused on passengers while drop the ball elsewhere (including our ports).