Jay Bookman

By Bosch

June 17, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Terrorists are well funded aren’t they? I’ll bet they can afford the $128/year.

Security is a pain at the airport, but it’s a necessary evil that I think most Americans are willing to deal with.

I agree with you Jay, if it’s a government imposed sanction, then it should be for ALL.

By hillbilly ragger

June 17, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

I’m actually surprised it’s taken this long for the security lines to become Balkanized.

By Pat

June 17, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

It makes no sense; drug dealers and terrorist financiers are wealthy. But it’s the logical conclusion of our current state of moral reasoning in America: you have more money, ergo you’re a better, more deserving person.

By CJKatl

June 17, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Jay, stick to writing about things you know about…

Clear is presently in use in many airports, including Indy and Orlando. Those who have gone through an extensive background check get to the front of the line for security, but go through the same scanners as everyone else.

As someone who flies several times a week, I waste so much time in line behind people who have no idea how to get through security. Even with a projector and laptop, I can get through the screening in seconds. Clear allows those like me to buzz through. Ultimately, this will get us out of the lines and make it faster for those that fly once or twice a year.

As for the cost, already, several frequent travel programs are offering free enrollment for their top tier customers. One of the travel companies in which I have top tier status has already sent me the application for Clear enrollment. It will be like Concierge Level hotel rooms and First Class airline upgrades. If someone wants to pay for it, fantastic, but those who will really benefit from the service - the frequent traveler - will be upgraded gratis.

Until you have spent several days a week going through security over and over again, you really have no idea what you’re talking about. It would be refreshing if you had actually researched this before going off on your rant. Rather than seperate us by rich and poor, this seperates us from those who take forever in the line and those who can go through quickly.

And your fears that terrorists will pay for Clear is absurd, as they will still have to go through the same scanners.

By Road Scholar

June 17, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Let the well to do, or at least those who think that they are better than the rest, stand in line also. How else will they get their reality check on what the masses have to deal with and what top topics need to be addressed.

Remember Bush I being surprised and mesmerized by the bar code reader at the food store? Remember Bush II not beleiving in $4 gas? Oh yeah, how are we paying for this war? Who is fighting for the US? Let the elite, or those who think they are above all this, see what really happens in the world.

By Cerebral Parsly

June 17, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

The fast lane will be too easily duped by terrorists. Anytime you have a quick-thru lane, diabolical minds can mimic the visual, electronic, and documentary inspection criteria, and bring box cutters, pocket fishermen, and metallic yo-yo’s onto a plane and take over our country again for another 8 years, with Bush’s lisped “S” sounds in the wings, “It was terroristsssszzzzzzzssssssss!”

By John

June 17, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Oh get over yourself…it’s like a fast pass at Disneyworld. Air travel is a luxury, not a right. If you can pay for better service than I’m all for it..and I’ll use it.

By George Burdell

June 17, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

OK Jay, by your same logic, shouldn’t all defendants then be required to use public defenders? Why should someone with money be able to use their money to get a better defense?

By CJKatl

June 17, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Good job, Jay…

You have people up in arms over something you stated that just isn’t true…

All Clear does is get you to the front of the scanner line. Everyone still goes through the scanner. Please correct your article!!!

This is just like the people who claim Obama is Muslim. What your saying is wrong. But your readers, who depend upon you, will accept this as truth.

Jay, please take this article down until you’ve corrected the information.

Those who are enrolled in Clear still go through the scanners in Indy, Orlando, and all the other airports with the Clear program.

By CJKatl

June 17, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

People, calm down. Jay is wrong about how Clear works.

Everyone still goes through the same scanner lines. The people enrolled in Clear just get to the front of the line because they’ve agreed to the background check and paid for the privelege.

Some airports have three lines going into security; very frequent flier, experienced flier, and infrequent flier. The idea is that those who fly several times a month and can whiz through security should not be slowed down by those who still think make-up isn’t a liquid or that because they paid for a bottle of water they are entitled to bring in through the security line.

Suppose your job required you to learn a skill, but then wait in line behind someone who had no idea what they were doing every time you used that skill. It would be frustrating…

Last year, I flew over 100 flight. If I can save 20 minutes in the security line each time, that is 2,000 minute saved, or about 32 hours. For those that travel twice a year, that’s 40 minutes. For me, that’s a huge chunk of time. I’m willing to pay for that.

By bubbatech02

June 17, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

probably one of the most asinine entries from the staff at the ajc. the people that use clear will actually have to go through MORE security. in addition to having to go through the same scanners that everyone else goes through, they will have to go through an extensive background check. for the morons that think this is an easier route to get through security, dont read the inept posting of the ajc’er. read about it yourself.

stupid.

By Reid in EAV

June 17, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Jay, please keep your class warfare to places it actually applies. No one’s buying their way out of security checkpoints — just the lines. From a business perspective, why should a Delta platinum medallion flyer have to wait behind once-a-year travelers who often don’t even know to remove their metal items when passing through the scanners?

By CJKatl

June 17, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

“Clear promises a five-minute trip through security.”

Calm down everyone… Jay didn’t read the quote he posted…it clearly states that everyone still goes through security…

By JayLied

June 17, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

Jay Bookman, I just found this on the LA TIMES website. It is a published article no less and says that Bush DID NOT LIE about Iraq. I’d really like to get your take on this because you constantly say that we were lied to. It may make you feel uncomfortable but then again the truth usually makes a liar feel guilty.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-kirchick16-2008jun16,0,7766785.story

By George Washington

June 17, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Police powers are getting out of hand, the pigs failed miserable on 9/11, and rather than punish the loser pigs, the pigs have been allowed to punish the traveling public with abusive policies. I personally have made it a policy not to fly, and since 9/11 I have taken exactly one flight, whereas I flew out of atlanta at least twice a month…Crunch those numbers when you calculate the impending failure of Delta and other air lines….Also, I just made 11,000 bucks speculating on the price of oil, bidding it up…If the price drops back to my target, I will again invest 100,000 bucks speculating the price will go back up….take that airlines, pigs, and the rest of you clowns….

By Mike

June 17, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Wow! Good job, Jay! Another stab at fomenting “class warfare.” Next time, how about doing what we used to call it in the Air Force, RTFQ. If you didn’t know all the facts, I could chalk this one up to ignorance; however, you obviously chose to omit the facts that you didn’t like, and that’s called lying. Odd. That’s the same thing you accuse the present administration of.

By Crafty

June 17, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Jay, We all know that MUSLIMS are the ones blowing up planes and killing people. The best way for all of us is to just scan muslims. Period. Now feel free to call me a racist even though muslims are not a race but a cult. Anyhoo, anyone got a better idea?

By George Washington

June 17, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

The Chimp in Chief is too STUPID to know the truth from a lie, hence it is the neocon traitors whispering in his ear who are the true liars in all this….Wolfoweasel, filthy feithie, liar libbie, and pukie pearlie were part of netynphew’s former israeli government when they concocted this whole plot to get an american army on the ground and at war with one of their arab neighbors. Those four neocons are traitors, and I will not rest until they have been arrested, tried, convicted, and hung for treason…..

By JackLeg

June 17, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

You seem to have left out a very important element to this “rich line”. If you want to use it then you also have to go through a background check and be finger printed, there are also rumors of iris / eye scanners. So feel free to let our government have all the information it needs to screw up your life, if the wrong person gets all that info. And you know they will!

By Kevin

June 17, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Jay, by your logic, we should also eliminate the opportunity to pay rush fees for passports. You didn’t plan far enough out? Sorry, sucks for you.

Face it. You want absolute parity for all citizens. You are against anyone who works hard and achieves more in life. You say you appreciate a capitalistic economy, but your actions speak differently.

There’s nothing wrong with admitting to be a Socialist. So tell me, Jay— when will you finally just admit to it?

By hillbilly ragger

June 17, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

Jay, I think the lesson is clear.

You are simply NEVER allowed to mention anything that’s even remotely annoying about wealth and class in America.

The Cheeto-eaters will be upset. As they are here, today.

I particularly love the explanation that “they still have to go through TEH SAME SCANNERZ!!!” well, yeah. After having cut to the front of the line.

That was Jay’s point, you feebs. And I knew as soon as Jay took the time to point out that “Having more money allows you to buy more things, including better service. That’s what makes the world go around and a capitalist economy hum. That’s all great.” — that it wouldn’t be nearly enough to stem the whiny tide of conservos looking to jump on anything that even whiffs of egalitarianism.

By Fred

June 17, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

I don’t have a problem with people with more money being able to fork out for nicer stuff. That’s just the way life works. My problem is allowing anyone to circumvent the law because they can pay for it. Usually when someone does that, they go to jail. Isn’t that kind of like paying the police to let you use the HOV lane when driving alone? Of course, the obvious difference is that terrorists rarely try to game the HOV lane in an attempt to acquire high density targets…..

By hillbilly ragger

June 17, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

My post made no since, and I apologize to everyone.

I was wrong. It’s a free market society and opportunity decides what happens.

Now, back to eating Cheetos for me!

By Dusty

June 17, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Oh another crybaby column with incorrect facts.

If you want everybody with no advantages at all for anybody, then let us all WALK everywhere, BECAUSE flying costs money, train riding costs money, bus riding costs money, auto riding costs money so the ONLY TRUE EQUALITY is WALKING!!

America is the land of opportunity and equality. However, even with these equalities, people are not all born with the same attributes. Some realize that. Some blame their inabilities on others.

In America we try to give freely the same OPPORTUNITIES to all. We do not decide and enforce what they do with it. To do so would be loss of freedom.

By hillbilly ragger

June 17, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

I guess I’ve arrived—somebody’s namestealing me.

As for that Cheetos reference—enjoy. I’m sure you’ll recognize yourself.

By dk

June 17, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Sometimes I just scratch my head. Bookman, do you ever think before you type?

By J

June 17, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Hillbilly, look at what Jay wrote:

And I just don’t think that more affluent Americans should be able to purchase a way around a government-imposed requirement that is not available to those of lesser means.

If by “government-imposed requirement” Jay meant having to stand in line, then you would be correct in saying that that was his point. If, however, Jay meant having to go through the security checkpoint, then the people accusing him of mistating the facts are correct. Clear does not allow people to bypass the security checkpoint, only the line.

Don’t forget that the same people that can afford to pay for first class and for Clear in most cases are typically the ones that give the airline enough revenue that they are willing to sell you tickets below their cost - in other words the traveler that paid $700 for his first class ticket subsidized your $69 coach ticket.

By King of All

June 17, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

To CJKAtl: I guess you sit in the front of the plane because the front reaches before the back. If I’m on the same flight you will just have to wait on me anyway. I know we peons annoy you, so pay all you can to get away from us. Did anyone tell you that this was just an introductory fee?

By Dwilkins

June 17, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

I am a Clear member and those who think a terrorist will be able to dupe the system are crazy. You go through the EXACT SAME SCREENING PROCESS only members have to do a finger print scan and retinal scan after passing an extensive TSA background check. My reward is being walked to the front of the line. Safety is NOT an issue. Those checks are also periodically updated.

I am sure a terrorist will not volunteer for an extensive background check. They will however sit in line like they have been, and NOT be subjected to anything that is a fool proof ID system. Not like the one we have where someone could build a fake passport and get a ticket in that name to by pass no-fly lists. Those are a wonderful deterrent. Under Clear that won’t work because they would need a retinal scan to verify identity on the ID.

Bottom line, Clear makes it safer and the lines move quicker.

By Dwilkins

June 17, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

I am a Clear member and those who think a terrorist will be able to dupe the system are crazy. You go through the EXACT SAME SCREENING PROCESS only members have to do a finger print scan and retinal scan after passing an extensive TSA background check. My reward is being walked to the front of the line. Safety is NOT an issue. Those checks are also periodically updated.

I am sure a terrorist will not volunteer for an extensive background check. They will however sit in line like they have been, and NOT be subjected to anything that is a fool proof ID system. Not like the one we have where someone could build a fake passport and get a ticket in that name to by pass no-fly lists. Those are a wonderful deterrent. Under Clear that won’t work because they would need a retinal scan to verify identity on the ID.

Bottom line, Clear makes it safer and the lines move quicker.

By Thurston Howell, the third

June 17, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Yes - I have more money than you. Yes - I deserve to be treated differently because of my money. Quit your whining, you jealous little peons, and just shine my shoes, or wash my limousine, or cut my grass, or whatever you do to earn your meager pittance of a salary. What are you doing in the airport, anyway? Just get out of my way and let me get to the head of the line.

By hillbilly ragger

June 17, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

J @ 10:08 I think your first explanation was probably Jay’s point. I didn’t see any reference to the specific checkpoint (which, being a “point” means a fixed space, not a line.)

By CJKatl

June 17, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

King of All…

The faster I can get through the line, the more time I have on the other side of the line to do work. The airport, by default, becomes my office. This week alone, I’m with customers all Monday in Miami, Tuesday in St. Louis, Wednesday in Rochester, Thursday in Raleigh, and Friday in Cincy. My time for answering calls and emails is while waiting for the plane to take off.

By getting on the plane first, I get 30 minutes of work done while you are standing on the Jetway. By getting off first, I can run to an earlier connection, which gives me an hour’s more sleep that night because I get to the next place by ten, instead of after midnight.

Make no mistake, I’m not complaining. I love my job. But I’m spending about $6k this month with Delta and another $2k with AirTran, plus a few flights on Southwest, American, and Frontier. (Flying to Cincy on Delta is a financial killer!) It’s people like me that fund the airline. Having them make my life a little easier is the least they can do. And putting up with it is the least you can do, as my support of Delta and AirTran make your low vacation fares possible.

This is not class warfare, as I’m hardly rich. This is treating your best business customers in a way that allows them to do their jobs better. It’s how business work together. Delta helps me do my job better, so I help Delta by flying them often. Someone who flies twice a year should not have that same expectation.

By Maniac is accurate

June 17, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Since Sonny Puredoo owes us $100,000 does that get us express access to the private john in his office when we’re at the Gold Dome.

By M. Liles

June 17, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

I just went through security yesterday. It’s like 15 pigs trying to get it on with a football. A REAL perk though would be special baggage claim. We were in first class and you have to stand there just like everyone else and wait till the last dog is dead for your bag because when you check in early, your bag goes in first and comes out last. You get first class but your bags get the opposite.

By You're Kidding

June 17, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Jay Bookman — at least you’re a good laugh in the morning over a coffee. You continue to write about things you have failed to research.

CJKatl said it all… saving me about 500 keystrokes.

By SR

June 17, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Yes, Jay, it is socialism. The same old tired and failed philosophy that academics dropped in 1970. People exchange money for time every day and travel should not be an exception. Notice the downside of socialism — you cannot opt out. Jay’s utopia would use the force of law to make sure people behave just as he wants them to. Are you prepared to throw Steven Brill in jail because he violates your sense of utopia? Give me a break… and the AJC wonders why its subscription nubers are in the tank.

By SR

June 17, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Yes, Jay, it is socialism. The same old tired and failed philosophy that academics dropped in 1970. People exchange money for time every day and travel should not be an exception. Notice the downside of socialism — you cannot opt out. Jay’s utopia would use the force of law to make sure people behave just as he wants them to. Are you prepared to throw Steven Brill in jail because he violates your sense of utopia? Give me a break… and the AJC wonders why its subscription nubers are in the tank.

By Sam

June 17, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Gosh, who would have thunk it. More money—more perks. Sounds pretty American to me

By Jeff Pruett

June 17, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Amen! What it says is that the government can’t do the job right! More Bush incompetence and elitism.

By Abomi Nation

June 17, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

To be honest Jay I don’t think there is anything wrong with this security program. In fact I think it should be expanded.

All the war loving Republicans that refuse to get in line and help secure the country from those people that you think make these security lines necessary in the first place should have to pay a fee in order to protect your cowardice.

If you Bush supporting war lovers want to skip out on the war its time to pay your fee.

As of now you are getting by on an entitlement, instead of getting warfare you are getting welfare.

I mean think about it. Not only do some of you not want to fight, you also expect to get privileged service at the airport from the one place you think caused this mess in the first place. How dare you!

Yep. What we need is a chickenhawk fee. I think $50,000.00 would be a good starting point for those wishing to skip the line going one way to Baghdad.

By ron

June 17, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Jay,The I AM’s get to go to the head of the line.They are IMPORTANT and must not be held up in lines with the riff raff.It is IMPORTANT that they get on the plane ahead of everyone else.This is a plane that isn’t going anywhere.It’s just sitting there waiting for the riff raff.Too IMPORTANT to stand in line.You can see them in other places too,if you just look.In banks,in McDonalds,in supermarkets,if you’re a mind to look for them.They are the IMPORTANTS,and they want everyone to know this.

By lovelyliz

June 17, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

At the core of capitalism is the practice that he with the $$$$ gets to benefit in ways that he without as much $$$$ does not.

By CJKatl

June 17, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Ron, please do not stereotype…

I wait in line at the bank. I wait in line at the supermarket…

I don’t wait in line at McD’s, but I don’t ever eat there…

I accept that by paying for a cheaper ticket to a Braves game, I’m not getting as good a seat as those who fork over big bucks for season tickets…

I accept that if I pay for a Chevy I don’t expect to drive a Benz…

Why can’t you accept, on this one thing, that frequent fliers should accept, and be accorded, services that allow them to conduct their businesses. It is, after all, those business that keep your leisure tickets below market price!

By EJ

June 17, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Equal under the law? Is Bookman kidding? All year long he touts programs that treat us differently because we earn different amounts of income.

Then when it comes to a line at the airport, we must all be equally treated.

Hey Bookman, let’s treat everyone equal when it comes to taxes. Then we can work on the airport lines.

By Inherit Iraq

June 17, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

McCain 08: Life(insurance), Liberty(mutual), and the Pursuit of Toothiness.

By Mike

June 17, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

The people that fly these days are the bus crowd. They spend $129 for an airline seat and think they have bought a piece of the airplane.

By ron

June 17, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Dear CJKatl,I don’t fly and I don’t have occasion to go near airports.I am simply explaining why you do what you do.You do it because your estimation of your self worth is skewed in your favor.You and others like you have gone to your boss and said that waiting in airport lines is not for you and would they please intercede with the airlines to get you on board without having to stand in line.Your boss didn’t think this up by himself.

By SteveSC

June 17, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Here again…those that don’t partake on a 100,000 mile a year plus basis cry the most. Why penalize those who want to be more efficient and get work done by putting us behind people with 2 strollers, 4 diaper bags and 6 carry-ons? Oh yeah…to treat everyone equal. Then the old lady in the wheelchair better walk down the jetway like I have to. Don’t think we’re special. You, afterall get special treatment once a year. We on the other hand, go through this every day of our lives. Get over it, shut up, take off your shoes and stay in your own line, not mine.

By George Washington

June 17, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Come on fools, only the peasants fly commercial, the rich fly charter, and the truely rich take their private jet….fussing over first class and the cattle car is a lot like arguing the pot is blacker than the kettle….to the rich, they are all the same, peasants….Lear jets sold at an all time high last year….

By Hillbilly Deluxe

June 17, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Affluent Americans purchase their way around government requirements all the time. This is no different. Don’t make it right though.

By AmazonRed

June 17, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

The airline feared they might interfere with Delta’s own lines for premium passengers.

Why would Delta fear that? They almoset NEVER enforce this. 90% of the time when I’m going thru the first class line on the Delta side of the terminal, they don’t even check my boarding pass to see if I am supposed to be there.

By Abomi Nation

June 17, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

The war on terrorism as long as you are not asked to sacrifice.

Instead of paying for the war with a tax to fund the war you got tax breaks that inflated the deficit and caused the dollar to crash.

Instead of fighting the terrorists ” over there so they won’t fight us here,” you decided your school and careers were more important.

Instead of waiting in line like everyone else to go through terrorist security checks you want to go to the head of the line.

You people make me sick.

By Inherit Iraq

June 17, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

do the teletubby bit again, come on, it’s funny, listen everybody, abomination’s gonna do his telebutty bit again, it’s really funny, listen to it, go ‘head abom, slay em……..

By irish65

June 17, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Jay, you are correct, again. This is akin to the idea of the “Lexus Lane” on the freeways. We are under the realm of people who believe money is the only worth, and it’s sad.

By Lefty

June 17, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

CJ Kati…..

If Jay only wrote about things he knew something about, he wouldn’t have a column.

By ATLANTA NATIVE

June 17, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

$128.00 per year for a security check is cheap. What is Jay talking about when he says wealthy? That’s less than two tanks of gas.

It’s worth it to not be behind a string of morons who cannot follow simple rules and go through security in an organized manner because they don’t have the self awareness to realize they are holding up everyone behind them.

By catlady

June 17, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Rather than seperate us by rich and poor, this seperates us from those who take forever in the line and those who can go through quickly.

I think we should be separated by who CAN spell and who CANNOT. (One time is a typo, two times is a poor speller.)

Why don’t we have a separate line for the stupid, elderly, arthritic, and illiterate? Then those who are ready to go through the scanners can go ahead of the struggling, crippled, and inept.

Any PUBLIC facility/requirement should have the same rules for all. No pushing ahead, no paying for “expedited” service ahead of the unwashed masses. Private facilities should be free to sell dispensations to the highest bidders. Since EVERYONE has to go through scanning, everyone should follow the same rules and have the same annoyances.

On a recent trip, did it bother me that many of the people ahead of me were not prepared to go through the line? Yeah, but that is just how it is. The people scanning can pull them aside and let them get ready without impeding the line. Those of us who read and followed the rules should go on through, without having someone get passed ahead of us by virtue of paying an expedited rate.

By George Washington

June 17, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Excuse me, but we paid the airlines to maintain security at airports prior to 9/11, and they hired laurel and hardy to do the job. After Laurel and Hardy failed, the fed put the keystone cops in charge, and gave them draconian powers over us…like confiscating our shaving kits, our keychain pocket knives, and puting us in jail if we objected. We are no safer today than when laurel and hardy were in charge, but we are subjected to 1000 times as much humiliation and hassel, and we have to pay an extra fee. I blame the women voters in america, who fell for the chimps scare tatics in the 04 election, and reelected that scumbag coward to a second term of stupidity. Truely, America has been doomed ever since men stupidly voted to give women the right to vote…I still say the vote was rigged….Ah wants a recount….

By Jan

June 17, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Put your hat on - looks like pigs might be flying - I agree with Jay. I got annoyed in the security line recently when the first class folks went ahead of me. Seems 7-8 arrived at the same time just as I was at the head of the line and they ALL went ahead of me. What next? I’m willing to pay $4 for that coffee so I’ll go to the head of line.

By Adam

June 17, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Jay, I don’t usually agree with you (you’re COMPLETELY wrong on the fairtax)….but I’m with you on this one. The gov’t makes us wait in a security line, so why should one person be able to wait less? I have an idea, how about let airlines handle their own security? Those that are good at (a balance of speed/convenience vs. safety) will prosper, while those that stink (long lines, or no security & blown up airplanes) probably won’t get many customers.

And take the government out of it.

I personally would pick the airline that screens passengers, but probably doesn’t go overboard on grandma with the cane.

By hillbilly ragger

June 17, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

GW @ 1:13, you “blame the women voters in america, who fell for the chimps scare tatics in the 04 election,” why?

GW Bush’s base was overwhelmingly white and male. Republican Presidents are typically elected with a 20-25% margin among this demographic.

You want to blame anyone, blame them. (Or us, as the case may be.)

By dbm

June 17, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

The Clear people don’t get to bypass security, they just get through the same check faster. What’s so terrible about that?

Is it wrong for people to pay CPA’s or buy software to do their income taxes more quickly and efficiently? After all, the income tax is a government requirement.

Is it wrong to pay an extra dollar or so for the convenience of doing car tags by mail instead of going in and standing in a line?

Think.

By Christine

June 17, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

What is the big deal Six Flags has the same system? You pay not to stand in line. The security scening process is the same as every one else.

By Bosch

June 17, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

So what happens when the Clear customers out number the regular customers?

By stynes

June 17, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

I disagree with the way Mr. Bookman has framed the entire discussion. There’s nothing about the Clear lines that “bypasses” security.

It’s nothing more than pay for additional service under the guise of additional security. They say there’s additional security measure in place because of the background check, retinal scan, etc. but it’s marginal, at best. I guess it better confirms that you are the person on the ClearPass card but that’s about it.

By Ralph Westmoreland

June 17, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

It’s Bush’s fault darnit!!! Somehow, he is behind all of this unfair stuff. He is the one who is making those rats pay to get through line faster…I think that I will appeal to Obama to right this wrong. Only ‘He that Sees and Hears All’ can right this terrible affront to the common peoples everwhere!!!

By Bosch

June 17, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Just to elaborate for a moment -

When the Clear customers out number the regular customers will there be a new program called Clear Plus, then when the Clear Plus members out number the regular Clear members will there be an additional program called Clear Plus Advantage? And then when the Clear Plus Advantage members out number the Clear Plus members and the regular Clear customers, (and by now there will only be two or three regular customers - like me) will there be an even newer program called Clear Plus Advantage Express?

You guys are such suckers. Go ahead and pay extra for more convenience - yeah, the way I figure it, in a couple of years when I fly, I’ll pass right on through security for FREE!!!!

Suckers.

By Michael

June 17, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Whether waiting at security, waiting in the terminal or waiting in the Crown Room, we all still have to wait for the plane. Then we can all wait on the runway in a comfy first class chair or a cramped chair in steerage.

By Clear is OK with ME!

June 17, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Abomi Nation - Please don’t drink and post.

By George Washington

June 17, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Hillbilly, do you remember the “soccer moms” from 2004? They were the scardy cats voting for bush…..Ah rest mah case…

By Oh Well

June 17, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

So I guess we ARE NOT all in this together…

By Steve

June 17, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES? Who cares if non-first class people have to wait in the normal line? Hartsfield is one of the best in the country at security. It takes 15-20 min to get though. I have been to many other, smaller airports and it has taken MUCH longer. The faster lines are a LUXURY you can pay for. Kinda like a BMW vs. a Honda. Shut up and deal with it. Thankfully, soon the only passengers will be rich white folks or business travelers.

By dbm

June 17, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

If enough people join Clear to reduce the advantage of doing so, a balance will be reached where there is still some advantage to Clear, but not enough for any more people to be willing to pay for it.

Clear will tend to move faster per person than regular if Clear gets more of the experienced frequent fliers while regular gets more of the ones who don’t know the rules until they experience them.

By Chris A

June 17, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

A) 1st and Business Class passengers already have special lines

B) Part of the fee is to pay for a background check only slightly less invasive than a colonoscopy, so the higher level of vetting for the Clear passengers makes everyone still equal under the law- the government grants clearances for many things.

C) Those willing to pay the price aren’t the ‘privileged’- they’re the frequent travelers and businessmen who keep the airlines afloat so Grandma and Grandma can take the kids to DisneyWorld once a year and clog the regular security lines because their child has a sippy cup and Grandma’s got a bottle of gin in her purse.

By Skeptic Tank

June 17, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Simple Solution

EVERYONE should buy a Clear pass.

THEN

Clear would issue a SUPER-DUPER FAST LANE PASS…at five times the cost.

Voila. We’ve just priced ourselves out of the market.

By catlady

June 17, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

You can file your taxes without a CPA. It is not required that you go to Six Flags in order to have fun. Those two things have NOTHING to do with the monopoly the TSA has on us. In order to fly public carriers, you MUST go through TSA checkpoints.

By dbm

June 17, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

You can file your taxes without a CPA, just as you can go through security without Clear. You MUST go through TSA checkpoints (unless you don’t fly) and you MUST file and pay income tax (unless you don’t have much income). The income tax/CPA example is very parallel and relevant.

Six Flags is less relevant because it’s not a government requirement, unlike income tax and security checks. It may have some relevance if Jay is preaching class warfare.

By Brad

June 17, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

If someone is willing to pay for a service and someone else is willing to provide that service… they better check with Jay Bookman to make sure it is okay.

By Steve

June 17, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

No problem with someone getting an edge. Me, I will not fly. After 30 years in the Air Force and watching from behind the scenes (air traffic control, maintenance, pilots, etc.)I will never cross the tarmac again. I do believe that the rich are in collusion with Bush and the foreign governments to drive the dollar down which drives the price of oil up. Ask the Iranian president. Does stupidity come with the job of president? Anyway if oil keeps going up planes will not be able to fly due to price then everyone will have the same privileges.

By jmarsh

June 17, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

We can start treating citizens “equally” once they all divest themselves of watches, phones, sunglasses, and remember to keep their boarding passes in their hands.

Get over yourself. Let those of us who know what we’re doing do it independent of your futzing around. And if we’re all going to be “equal,” should we really have special assistance lines for those in wheelchairs and with babies? Ah, but that’s different, you say. To me, most of the rest of fliers are “differently abled,” so you should have your own special lines.

By tom

June 17, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

Jay, this is about giving frequent travelers a way to avoid those who don’t travel often, speeding them on their way. I travel weekly and get held up all the time by people who are not familiar with the procedures, don’t know that they need to take off their shoes, pull out their PC, etc. The family of 6 that doesn’t know how to navigate security.

Frankly, I believe that the TSA should provide FOR FREE certain lines for people who can speed through security without delay. But if it takes $10 a month to get that, I’ll pay for it. It’s less than the cost of re-booking one missed flight.

By Flyer

June 17, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

CJKatl,

Explain to me again why you get to cut in line? Because you’re a frequent flier? Really? Wow. I have to wait in line while you and your buddies cut in line just because you fly more than I do? My wait gets longer because of your impatience? Last time I checked the security line is run by TSA, not the airlines. Smells like discrimination to me.

You know I drive the same route to work everyday and I bet there are folks who use that route only occasionally, I guess those occasional users should be forced to pull over and let me pass. I should also get one of those devices that turn the red lights green.

By Sam Callan

June 17, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

I cannot believe you people. What a bunch of whiners.

Did you consider that for every person who pays for this service takes a person out of the other security lanes?

Probably not.

By Slowpoke Rodriquez

June 17, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

All impatient hotshot businessmen are Type A jerks who should drop dead of heart attacks right in the airport. When I get in front of one in line, I go to Speed 2, which is Slower (Speed 1 being Slow). I love to watch these pompous creeps boil. You can practically see their blood pressure skyrocket. Never step aside on the moving sidewalk or escalator, either. Make the louts wait their turn.

By zoe

June 17, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Jay- do you think the US should get rid of the Nexus pass too? People pay for that to go between the US and Canada faster, same principle.

By Brian

June 17, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this

I understand it as all men are created equal.

By Racebaiter

June 18, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

I knew as soon as I read the headline that this was one more loony left blog from the nutty Bookman. What an idiot. Bring us profiling!

By Racebaiter

June 18, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this

God, I hate whiny liberals. OK, actually I hate all liberals. They usually want what’s worst for this country.

By Mike In Woodstock

June 18, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

I really hate to admit this but I’m with the commie pinko bedwetter on this one. We urgently need to profile people and their behavior like the Israelis do. Creating privatized shortcuts is not the answer.

By CJKatl

June 18, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this

Flyer -

Let me try to explain, but if you don’t already get it, maybe it cannot be put in simple enough terms…

I am the airlines’ better customer. I pay more for tickets, which allows the airline to charge you less. (Ironically, just today, I had an engagement run long in St. Louis and had to cancel a Delta ticket, pay the penalty, and replace it with a $451 AirTran ticket for later in the day to Rochester.) I purchase five tickets a week, which is better for the airlines’ business than the one or two tickets a year others purchase. This week, three of my tickets are full fare.

A simple principle of capitalism is you do what you can for your good customers. If you don’t, they will stop paying for and using your services.

I pay a TSA fee five times a week. I’m TSA’s good customer. If it weren’t for people like me, TSA could not pay for itself with fees or would have to staff at lower levels.

Do you object when a liquor store gives a discount for purchasing a case? Do you object when a dining establishment gives its best customer the best table? If you don’t like the way the airlines and TSA conduct their business, don’t fly. If I don’t like how they do business, I won’t fly. But something tells me they’ll be callimg me to find out what’s wrong, whereas they really won’t want to waste their time calling someone who flies twice a year at a discounted rate. (Actually, I didn’t fly one airline for a few months and they did contact me to ask why. When was the last time an airline cared about your business enough to contact you when you didn’t fly for a couple months? I’m sure there are other businesses you use that often, and they treat you like that. In my case, it’s the airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies that I use on a daily basis.)

It’s not that you don’t understand this. It’s that you don’t like it. But it’s a fact of capitalism. You need to do what you can for your best customers because those are the ones who make you the most money.

There is no discrimination. Anyone, including a nobody like me, will get this same level of service if they spend as much money with the airlines as I do. Others spend more and get even better services. If the airlines were only affording these services to people of a certain income level, race, gender, or sexual preference, then I could understand the discrimination claims. But the airlines treat anyone who does this much business with them equally. That’s not discrimination, that’s capitalism. If you don’t like it, head to Cuba.

By John Tackett

June 18, 2008 4:56 AM | Link to this

All, The whole concept of “Homeland Security” bothers me. Sounds a lot like “Fatherland Security” doesn’t it?? And the TSA is a joke.. They do not enforce the rules consistently across the country (in one city I take off my shoes, in another I do not.) Basically, we are sheepishly going along and giving up more and more rights everyday to the notion that it is for the “good of the country.” As far as paying to bypass the lines, these are the same folks that will be driving SUV’s when gas hits $5 per gallon.. they can afford to do it and they will. Nothing wrong with that. That is why some folks have 50” big screen flat panel TV’s and others have 27” tube televisions.. if you have the money then use them for the finer things in life. We are a class based society, no matter what we may think.

By Infrequent traveler

June 18, 2008 5:33 AM | Link to this

I don’t travel enough to warant paying a fee for the clear pass and the thought of having to deal with the monkeys that work for the TSA ensures that I won’t stand in line either. Who suffers? The airlines that don’t get my business and the destinations that I don’t go to. If anyone thinks that terrorists can’t find someone who has a clean record and is willing to follow their cause then I’ve got a bridge to sell them. What morons. I’ll bet that the terrorists have already tested the capabilities of the clear pass and are planning accordingly.

By Mad Mary

June 18, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this

How petty so many of you have become. Now you want to villianize anyone who wants to pay for a service? This is America!!! The comments about terrorists and drug smugglers are the funniest. Do you really think they want to give up all the information required to get on the fast paced lane? I hope they do-just once. There are a ton of problems in this country but paying for quicker security checks at airports is not one of them.

By Realist

June 18, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this

Why don’t we just ban Muslims from flying? Islam is after all the cause of all the world’s headaches. I am not being sarcastic.

By rc

June 18, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this

Jay, I can only say You are a moron!

By lovelyliz

June 18, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this

Be careful Jay or someone is going to accuse you of being a communist, if they haven’t already.

By Dan

June 18, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

You are out of touch with reality. Many people make their living by traveling daily. They now have to wait in long lines every day. This is NOT something about who has money and who doesn’t. This is about making travel easier for the daily business person. It’s that simple. As usual … people are making more of this than there is.

By bobfromCanton

June 18, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

Realist, the reason we don’t ban a particular nationality is because of a problem with profiling! Who will you profile next Japanese Americans (WWII), Vietnamese (Vietnam War), Germans (WWI and WWII), or maybe the Somali people? You must see that when you start down this path it only gets worse. Or maybe you don’t see it? No one race or nationality can be completely condemned for what a portion of them believe and carry out. Would you like Americans to be profiled in other countries because we have skin heads, KKK, or whatever other bad group is causing trouble here in the USA?

By Jason

June 18, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

People with real money don’t fly commercial.

By ADDMedia

June 18, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Jay, Liberals and all you other class warfare MORONS, please quit hating and open your hateful ears. CLEAR makes you go through a screening process, you have to PAY for. If EVERYONE went through a THOROUGH background screening we wouldn’t need to have all these ridiculous restrictions at the airport. Part of being a terrorist and being a TRUSTED terrorist means you are vetted by the organization that they kill for, that means they probably aren’t passing a background check. Although I have to admit I might like to have a few terrorists come over here and go after the cultural debasers that they hate, like the Hollywood and Media liberals who hide behind our troops. You know that its you liberals that they will go after first don’t you? Rag on Bush and Republicans and the military all you want but they are the people that are keeping your head attached to your ignorant carcas’.

By American

June 18, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Why not allow all “Americans” to use the express lane free of charge? Why should poorer Americans be punished and richer Americans allowed to be whisked throught the line? We are so consumed by the fact we might hurt someone’s feelings in America today. Let the majority of Americans enjoy liberty for once and allow the minority stand in line for once….good grief!

By Reality

June 18, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

If I buy the AJC everyday at a news stand for cover price I pay more than if I get a subscription. This is clearly a policy favoring the rich over the poor. Please immediately go into your bosses’ office and tell him the AJC should just cancel all the subscriptions, issue refunds and charge everybody the same cover price from now on. After you get laughed out of his/her office take the day off, drink some light beer, sit around with your yellow bellied liberal friends and try to come up with something decent for future columns.

By DB

June 18, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Flying has long since changed from a pleasure to the worst chore imaginable. I do not for one minute think that these elaborate “safety measures” keep us any safer in the air. If someone wants to blow up a plane, they will find a way, and all the overweight, surly, officious and robotic TSA agents in the world aren’t going to stop them. Frankly, I think the ban on bottled water is a form of collusion between the TSA and the airport concessions! You can’t bring water ON a concourse, but you can buy it once you get there — for $3 or $4 a bottle.

Let’s face it, the people who only travel at Thanksgiving and Christmas to visit Grandma aren’t going to pay $128 a pop for a faster trip through the line. Those of us that travel 10 or more times a year would pay DOUBLE that not to stand in that snake-like line, shuffling along like cattle to the kill, being subjected to loud, pointless cell phone conversations such as “omigod, this line is SO long …” (Duh! It’s the AIRPORT), and then removing your shoes (and you KNOW the cretin in front of you has athlete’s foot) so that you can pad through “security” and scoop up your belongings.

AND WE ARE NOT MORE SECURE. We are just exponentially more inconvenienced by a government who is really big on closing the barn door after the horse has run away. I don’t feel more secure — I feel more oppressed and nit-picked.

For about a year, my daughter was on a WATCH LIST — every time we flew, we had to allow an extra hour for them to clear her at airport checkin. Why? Something about her name. Oh, did I mention she was ELEVEN YEARS OLD?! It took Homeland Security a year, and finally a call from a congressman, to straighten out THAT ridiculous snafu.

$128? Where do I sign?!? It’s just a different form of transportation, as far as I’m concerned. It is NOT elitist. I suspect that most companies would GLADLY pay the $128 fee for their employees who are frequent flyers, simply to save the company all the lost time that these people spend in airport lines. It’s no more elitist than the Crown Club room for Delta patrons (“ooh, unfair, they pay a fee and get free drinks — we should ALL have free drinks!”)

By JeremiahWright

June 18, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

If an idiot like Jay can have his own column, I don’t see why I can’t have one. Hmmm…

By Scrappy

June 18, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

All I can say is you don’t know what it is like until you travel for your job. I am not rich, I am not better than any of you, all I want is to be able to spend more time at home and less time at the airport. I’m sure there are lots of people on here that complain about their commutes to and from work in Atlanta traffic - well my commute is through an airport. If I can have my company pay for a clear card to give me even one more hour at home, then it is well worth it. If you can’t understand that, then I feel sorry for you.

By Eric

June 19, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

I think you misunderstand the system. Clear I believe uses a prescreening method to keep a database on travelers who are already deemed safe to travel.

As a guy who flies 100K miles a year mostly on Delta I will DEFINITELY pay for this service. Being Platinum with Delta frankly I think I should get it for free.

I dont see this as a social issue. its an economic one. My time is more valuable than 128 dollars a year, so therefore I will pay. if you dont like it, stay in the slower lane.

By Sarah

July 24, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

We aren’t talking 128 million dollars here. Jay your comment is overated in your own mind. This is not just for wealthy Americans, its for anyone willing and able to pay a fee for expediated processing. Mostly willing. And that is the American way. We pay for extra. Even as a low-income American citizen $128.00 PER YEAR is not that much and it’s worth it if you fly frequently. Its basically $10.67 per month and is as doable for the average citizen as the new insurance you can buy for dvd/video rental at some movie rental stores. The protection insurance is $0.25 or a little more just in case the video is damaged, lost, or stolen. But you are not required to buy it. Anyone who uses this new airline service is not getting exemption from the law as many have posted. They are paying for a premium service because the airlines can do without it and still have tons of business. Probably you should take a business and economics course.

By peter

November 14, 2008 3:47 AM | Link to this

What if you could do this for every public servcie: pay extra, get shorter queue. Building permit premium service vs. normal service. Police alcohol control on the road, but you can skip the queue and go first if you pay. I think these airport queues are a very worrying precedent for democracic equality