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I very much share your concern and frustration, but even I take convenience over principle in some matters. I happily use TSA PreCheck, despite hating the fact

I very much share your concern and frustration, but even I take convenience over principle in some matters. I happily use TSA PreCheck, despite hating the fact that you have to put yourself on a government list to restore a level of dignity while traveling that the same government took away in the first place. It's a constant struggle with a lot to sacrifice for your principles. See Richard Stallman for an example of someone who no doubt endures many inconveniences in his life in his ardent avoidance of nonfree software.

nixgeek 4y ago
Global Entry and TSA Pre probably saved me >100 hours of queuing in the last 3-5 years, and I imagine I’d also have missed a handful of flights had I needed to endure the regular checkpoint queues in order to make a tight connection. It’s definitely a concern for me too, but like you, convenience trumps principle sometimes and travel is already unpleasant enough that “taking a stand” and making travel more unpleasant (including being an “Opt Out” at checkpoints and making the TSA do a pat down) isn’t something I’ve been willing to do. Likewise, this will become a mandatory integration for states to participate in VWP starting in 2027, and there is a LOT of additional burden for those states citizens in having to apply for and be granted a U.S. visa over and above just using ESTA - paperwork, >= 10x filing fees, an Embassy or Consulate visit, then getting your passport (collection) after the visa has been inserted. Plus at the end of the day the U.S. is getting all the same information via the slower process. I would guess most European states will integrate and this will be short-lived indignation (a “storm in a teacup”) followed by it being the new normal.
- landemva 4y ago
  > convenience trumps principle There it is. We make our choices and our children live with the consequences. I have always opted out of TSA body scans and have been a 100k flier. Frequent fliers know which cattle lanes to use for no scans. Arrive a few minutes early and they even wipe your hands with a cloth and let you know if your hands are dirty.
  - A4ET8a8uTh0 4y ago
    I always opt out ( with one time exception when my employer submitted stuff for me without even letting me know - HR.. ) and I tend to get a speech about how it is safe and I get more radiation getting on the plane ( which is technically true ), but I always truthfully respond that my family has some history for cancer ( and radiation is cumulative ) and I hope he considers this as he continues his employment. I am thankful that I do not have a job that requires me to travel much and I can allow myself to do a roadtrip ( and it helps that I actually enjoy stopping by biggest corn castle ). I absolutely understand the parent. It is not impossible that I would react similarly if I had to fly more often.
    - nixgeek 4y ago
      Most of the newest scanners are Millimeter Wave and don’t have any radiation concerns. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/airport_scan.htm https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/airport_scan.htm I believe they have obsoleted all the backscatter scanners at this point.

nixgeek 4y ago

Global Entry and TSA Pre probably saved me >100 hours of queuing in the last 3-5 years, and I imagine I’d also have missed a handful of flights had I needed to endure the regular checkpoint queues in order to make a tight connection. It’s definitely a concern for me too, but like you, convenience trumps principle sometimes and travel is already unpleasant enough that “taking a stand” and making travel more unpleasant (including being an “Opt Out” at checkpoints and making the TSA do a pat down) isn’t something I’ve been willing to do. Likewise, this will become a mandatory integration for states to participate in VWP starting in 2027, and there is a LOT of additional burden for those states citizens in having to apply for and be granted a U.S. visa over and above just using ESTA - paperwork, >= 10x filing fees, an Embassy or Consulate visit, then getting your passport (collection) after the visa has been inserted. Plus at the end of the day the U.S. is getting all the same information via the slower process. I would guess most European states will integrate and this will be short-lived indignation (a “storm in a teacup”) followed by it being the new normal.

landemva 4y ago
> convenience trumps principle There it is. We make our choices and our children live with the consequences. I have always opted out of TSA body scans and have been a 100k flier. Frequent fliers know which cattle lanes to use for no scans. Arrive a few minutes early and they even wipe your hands with a cloth and let you know if your hands are dirty.
- A4ET8a8uTh0 4y ago
  I always opt out ( with one time exception when my employer submitted stuff for me without even letting me know - HR.. ) and I tend to get a speech about how it is safe and I get more radiation getting on the plane ( which is technically true ), but I always truthfully respond that my family has some history for cancer ( and radiation is cumulative ) and I hope he considers this as he continues his employment. I am thankful that I do not have a job that requires me to travel much and I can allow myself to do a roadtrip ( and it helps that I actually enjoy stopping by biggest corn castle ). I absolutely understand the parent. It is not impossible that I would react similarly if I had to fly more often.
  - nixgeek 4y ago
    Most of the newest scanners are Millimeter Wave and don’t have any radiation concerns. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/airport_scan.htm https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/airport_scan.htm I believe they have obsoleted all the backscatter scanners at this point.