Topic: Trusted Traveler

A listener's note about Global Entry leads to a discussion on the inconsistencies of TSA Pre-Check. One host notes that despite having a Trusted Traveler number, he only consistently receives Pre-Check when traveling with his spouse. They joke about the possibility of airport security status being tied to FICO credit scores or other arbitrary metrics.

Vice President Joe Biden delivers a weekly address focusing on the "heinous" attacks in Paris and Beirut while calling for solidarity with Syrian refugees. Biden dismisses fears of refugees, asserting that the administration prioritizes American safety. One host shares their personal experience with the US Customs "trusted traveler" vetting process, suggesting the system is generally effective despite political rhetoric.

A traveler reports being denied TSA Pre-Check status despite having a valid Trusted Traveler number, reflecting a reported cutback in the program. Choosing to "opt out" of the backscatter X-ray machines led to a lengthy wait for a manual pat-down. The process is described as a "humiliation process" involving specific verbal cues used by TSA agents to coordinate male assists.

Technical issues with Delta Airlines prevented a TSA Pre-Check status from appearing on a home-printed boarding pass. Re-entering a Trusted Traveler Number at the airport desk successfully triggered the Pre-Check status, while a separate discussion notes that Southwest Airlines occasionally grants Pre-Check status to frequent flyers who have not completed the formal federal interview process.

One of the hosts details a frustrating experience at the airport where he was denied TSA Pre-Check status despite being a registered "trusted traveler." The segment covers a subsequent Twitter exchange with a TSA media representative and explores whether the denial of service was a random occurrence or a targeted technical error.

A travel anecdote describes a discrepancy in TSA Pre-Check status during a flight from Austin to New York. Despite being a law-abiding citizen and trusted traveler, one host was denied Pre-Check while his companion, who had previously faced immigration hurdles, was granted expedited screening.

A host recounts a recent trip to San Francisco and the experience of using the Global Entry trusted traveler program. The discussion touches on the perceived lack of integration between government databases and the nature of paying fees to bypass standard security lines.

A host describes a positive experience using the TSA Pre-Check line at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, noting the ability to keep shoes and belts on. An interaction with a friendly TSA agent occurs when a Røde Procaster microphone is mistaken for a prohibited item on the X-ray scanner. The segment concludes with a critique of the "trusted traveler" system as a pay-to-play model for restoring basic civil liberties.

The show concludes with a final round of donor thank-yous, including a new "Trusted Traveler" donation tier of $140. Technical advice is given to listeners using BitTorrent Sync to enable Distributed Hash Tables (DHT) for better connectivity. The hosts sign off from Amsterdam and Silicon Valley, promising a return on Sunday.

Dame Joan Daudifre from West Virginia seeks advice on why her Global Entry status is not triggering TSA PreCheck on her flight tickets. Adam Curry explains that the "Known Traveler Number" must be manually entered into airline booking systems. The hosts discuss the frustrations of airport security lines and the interview process for trusted traveler programs.

An experience at the JetBlue terminal in New York highlights the inconsistencies of the TSA PreCheck and Trusted Traveler programs. Despite carrying a bag filled with suspicious-looking electronics and microphones, the security process was described as a "pre-9/11 experience" where belts and boots remained on. The interaction with TSA agents suggests that the rigorous screening processes are often bypassed for those in the trusted traveler line, reinforcing the concept of security theater.

A producer's story reveals that a criminal conviction can lead to disqualification from the $140 Trusted Traveler program without a refund, yet the same individual can still receive TSA PreCheck status through frequent flyer programs. The discussion shifts into a brief nostalgic look at defunct airlines, including Piedmont, PSA, and Eastern Air Lines, the latter of which was noted for its poor service.

Adam Curry details his experience joining the Global Entry program to facilitate travel for his wife. He describes the interview process in Houston as a "money scam" where he was asked about 1980s hair bands and Ronnie James Dio. Curry notes the absurdity of being a "trusted traveler" while carrying a bag full of wires, transmitters, and microphones that would normally trigger intense security scrutiny.

The enrollment process includes watching a safety video about customs regulations and a brief interview with Customs and Border Protection officers. Adam Curry recounts a friendly interaction with an officer who recognized him from his MTV days. Despite a system flag on Mickey's record, both receive approval emails shortly after the interview.

John Pistole encourages frequent flyers to join the Global Entry program to avoid standard security hassles. He mentions ongoing efforts to harmonize security with the European Union and the development of "shoe detection technology" to eventually allow passengers to keep their footwear on. The hosts view this as a government-run "bargain" to collect more data on citizens.

Senator Barbara Boxer praised the expansion of the TSA "Pre-Check" program, which the hosts describe as a "Trusted Traveler" scheme to implement biometric tracking. Boxer referred to standard security as "invasive screening" while promoting the new system as a solution for travel hassles. The hosts criticize the program as a way to condition the public into becoming "good little slaves."

Secretary Janet Napolitano defended TSA security protocols, including the controversial pat-downs of children and the elderly, during an appearance on "Morning Joe." She argued that exempting any group would allow terrorists to exploit that weakness. Napolitano also promoted the expansion of "Trusted Traveler" programs, which would utilize biometric cards for pre-screened passengers.