more on Logan considers easing way for frequent fliers

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: jean_camp <jean_camp () harvard edu>
Date: September 29, 2005 4:31:04 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] more on Logan considers easing way for frequent fliers


What is the problem that is being solved?

1. finding terrorists who we presume do not fly often
2. making valuable business travelers happy
3. removing anyone with enough  power to contradict TSA from the  
search loop

You cannot say if this is a good or bad idea without understanding  
the problem statement.

thanks,
Jean

On Sep 28, 2005, at 7:16 PM, David Farber wrote:


> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Richard Wiggins <richard.wiggins () gmail com>
> Date: September 28, 2005 8:05:46 PM EDT
> To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
> Subject: Re: [IP] more on Logan considers easing way for frequent  
> fliers
> Reply-To: Richard Wiggins <richard.wiggins () gmail com>
>
>
> Dave,
>
> Dr. O'Donnell raises a good point: is this just catering to an elite?
> I think it's a little subtler than that.  There are a lot of people
> who fly multiple times a week as part of their jobs.  Many of these
> folks might decide to drive or take the train if the burden of airport
> security is sufficiently onerous.
>
> If you fly over 200 times in a year and this is the difference between
> a 5 minute security check and 30 minutes in line, that's 100 hours
> wasted.  No doubt that won't evoke much sympathy from anyone who
> travels a few times a year.  Still, I think a case can be made that a
> program that eases the way for people who basically commute via the
> commercial airlines is not just a paean to the elite.
>
> They will give up some cash and a little liberty for the privilege, so
> cue that Ben Franklin quote....
>
> /rich
>
> On 9/28/05, David Farber <dave () farber net> wrote:
>
>
> > Begin forwarded message:
> >
> > From: "Dr. James J. O'Donnell" <provost () georgetown edu>
> > Date: September 28, 2005 9:50:39 AM EDT
> > To: dave () farber net
> > Subject: Re: [IP] Logan considers easing way for frequent fliers
> >
> >
> >
> > Dave,
> >
> > We've seen these discussions of fast lanes for several years now.   
> > Could
> > we ask the cost-benefit question?  (1) What would it cost to  
> > create this
> > system?  (2) If it's really for people who fly once a week or  
> > more, how
> > great is the benefit and is this really only for a tiny elite?   
> > (3) Just
> > how bad is it going through security now?  I fly 100K a year, through
> > pretty busy airports (most regularly Dulles, National, Laguardia,  
> > O'Hare,
> > SFO), and I have to say that I've adjusted to the basic hassles  
> > (laptop
> > out, shoes off, jacket off) and the time-through-security is *not*  
> > a real
> > problem at this point.  Among other things, I think it is the regular
> > fliers who have their personal drill down so they *don't* trigger  
> > extra
> > searches.  (They're pulling bags over when they spot folding  
> > umbrellas
> > now:  ok, dumb, but I get it, so the umbrella travels visible now  
> > and it's
> > part of my drill.)
> >
> > So:  is this a problem that has solved itself *sufficiently* (to  
> > say 90%
> > of optimum) that it's not worth putting resources into solving  
> > further?
> > I'm not saying I like any of the extra layers that have been put  
> > on the
> > system or that I agree that they are necessary:  I'm just asking  
> > the "how
> > big is this problem *really*" question.
> >
> > Jim O'Donnell
> > Georgetown U.
> >
> >
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