Anti-elitism taken to a new low.

[drron]

Now here is one Senator from LOTFAP that would be out of place on AFF-
Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator for Nebraska: Nelson Proposes Air Passenger Fairness Act

March 26, 2012 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson introduced the “Air Passenger Fairness Act of 2012” to promote fairness for all air travel passengers by barring airlines and airport operators from using express security lines that allow for certain groups of air passengers to cut to the front of the TSA security screening line at the airport. “This bill is about fairness. Regardless of whether you have a first-class ticket or have reached a certain frequent flier status, the purpose of the airport security screening line is to ensure traveler safety. Allowing a select few to cut in front of those who are waiting patiently, just in order to provide a perk, has nothing to do with safety,” said Senator Nelson.

 

[eastwest101]

Interesting post - way to challenge some of our preconceptions! I somewhat agree about the security screening because the intent is safety, but would hate to see this abused as a way of stopping or preventing priority boarding - which is an airline controlled benefit.

 

[samh004]

I’d say lots of the invasive screening they use has nothing to do with safety either…

 

[UP4014]

Equality, what a good idea. the only way around it would be for the airline to pay directly for it's own security screening.

 

[Stephen65]

It's a stunt and nothing will happen. It's one thing to introduce a bill to Congress and quite another to get it passed, IIRC about 4% of bills are passed.

 

[burrco]

Yeah it's not going anywhere - but in theory I actually agree with the proposal. If taxpayers are footing the bill - then all taxpayers should be treated equally. Nothing wrong with airlines paying extra if they want to provide this service to selected flyers.

It would be interesting to see the per passenger cost to provide the screening compared to the extra cost on the ticket. For example if the cost was $15 but the tax/fee/security charge on the ticket was $20 - somebody flying 5 times a year has paid an "excess" of $25 - where somebody flying 50 time has paid an "excess" of $250 so could argue they have paid for an express lane.

In reality I'd assume the cost per ticket is less than the actual cost - meaning frequent flyers are actually costing the state more - so perhaps express lanes should be for non frequent flyers! Of course "cost" is an intangible figure as, despite its rhetoric, the home of the free has a level of bureaucratic incompetence that would make those socialist Europeans blush. Paranoia isn't free.

My understanding is that in Australia the airlines pay for things such as express custom passes etc?

 

[Major]

It's a fair bet that VA pick up the tab for the Security Screening at the SYD Premium Entry to the Lounge

 

[UP4014]

It's a fair bet that VA pick up the tab for the Security Screening at the SYD Premium Entry to the Lounge

For sure, I doubt Macbank would throw it in as a goodwill gesture.

Matt

 

[TonyHancock]

Once again the poor DYKWIA becomes a target again...this time a US senator is attacking all I hold dear.

 

[lovestotravel]

It is the 1st of April ?

 

[UP4014]

Once again the poor DYKWIA becomes a target again...this time a US senator is attacking all I hold dear.

Ah yes, they make such easy targets. :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

Somebody trying to become popular?

I wonder what sort of perks Senators get and whether equality is involved in those perks....

 

[Danger]

A Bill to make healthcare more affordable for low income earners? A Bill putting in place safeguards against another Wall St meltdown? A bill imposing tighter restrictions on gun ownership in an effort to curb senseless shootings, particularly in schools? No. No. No. A Bill to tackle one of the real issues in America.

 

[NM]

When traveling, we need to remember that all people are equal - just some are more equal than others (apologies to George Orwell).

 

[MichaelD]

Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator for Nebraska: Nelson Proposes Air Passenger Fairness Act

Did the "egalitarian" Senator mention that he and his cronies get to bypass the security theatre regardless of what he wants to make the rest of us poor sods put up with?

 

[pauly7]

For sure, I doubt Macbank would throw it in as a goodwill gesture.

Matt

Hears Macbank scrambling for the dictionary.... What is this goodwill thing these people speak of... Not sure, just put up the parking fees again to make sure.