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Comments (11)
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Last week, the House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of a preference system for the Armed Forces at public airports.
Earlier this year, when United joined its merger partner, Continental, in allowing uniformed military personnel to board planes first—before, even, first–class passengers, disabled passengers, and families with infants—the news sparked a passionate response on our blog, with most comments in favor of the measure.
Last week, the House of Representatives went a step further in helping to ease travel burdens for our servicemen. Members voted unanimously—404 to 0—to allow military travelers on official duty to move through airport security checks faster.
According to the chief sponsor of the bill, Representative Chip Cravaack of Minnesota, that could mean troops not having to remove their boots, belt buckles, military jackets, and medals. Soldiers could be moved to the front of the security line, or a separate line could be created. "The main emphasis is expediting troops through a security process that wasn't made for them," Cravaack told the Associated Press.
In the end, Homeland Security would establish the specific rules of the proposed preferential system. The legislation is now in the Senate. If it becomes law, the earliest recipients would most likely be troops returning home from Afghanistan in 2012, along with their family members, who also would get preferential treatment.
So far, the move has earned raves from travel–industry groups.
Already, the government has initiated a more intelligence–driven screening process for civilian passengers, allowing members of some frequent–flier programs to voluntarily register information about themselves ahead of time for expedited security screening. The new process is currently being tested at major airports in Atlanta, Detroit, Miami, and Dallas and will likely expand nation–wide in 2012.
Echoing these moves, some supporters of the new House bill are advocating for these new, eased airport–security screening privileges to extend to law enforcement officers and firefighters, too.
What do you think? Should policemen and firefighters be allowed to pass through airport security more quickly than other passengers, alongside members of the military?
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I'm in favor of expediting military members through the security checks; however, the actual screenings should not be short cut. There could be imposters or individuals of this group who would want to cause harm as with any group. An example is the Ft. Hood shooter..
Posted By M Forrest on December 8, 2011, 10:16 AM
Why should anyone receive special treatment when going through airport security? If soldiers, policemen, and firemen get special treatment because they are public servants, why others such as school teachers and transit operators, who put their lives on the line every day at work as well?
Given the high rate of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder suffered by soldiers who were stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, is it really a wise idea to let them bypass standard security measures that we impose on 90-year-old grandmothers in wheelchairs?
Posted By george frideric on December 8, 2011, 11:06 AM
Why should anyone receive special treatment when going through airport security? If soldiers, policemen, and firemen get special treatment because they are public servants, why others such as school teachers and transit operators, who put their lives on the line every day at work as well?
Given the high rate of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder suffered by soldiers who were stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, is it really a wise idea to let them bypass standard security measures that we impose on 90-year-old grandmothers in wheelchairs?
Posted By george frideric on December 8, 2011, 11:07 AM
Does George Frideric really think school teachers and transit operators face dangers equivalent to the military? Get real, George. If procedures are in place to prevent impostors from sneaking through, soldiers should absolutely be allowed this special privilege. We receive the privilege of their service and sacrifice for us.
Posted By Ted on December 8, 2011, 1:17 PM
I don't mind uniformed, active-duty military going to the head of the line. Letting them keep their boots and belts on? NO!
If anything, those boots pose a much, much bigger risk than my little sandals- you could fit a huge weapon in there! And someone who is in the military should be easily able to take off their boots. If we make grandpa, who can't bend over and needs help remove his orthopedic shoes, the military can also abide by the same "security" rules.
I think healthy, patriotic americans in uniform should be happy to abide by the security measures asked of all us....
Posted By lulu on December 8, 2011, 2:11 PM
Allowing ANYONE to bypass security is ridiculous. Even given the Kabuki theatre of the TSA, it does add a barrier to terrorists & the insane. I'm a grannie with a hip replacement, & if I have to totter over to get patted down every time I fly, why should able bodied young men/women be exempt. I have no problem with allowing soldiers in uniform to board first, just as long as they go thru security.
Posted By Beth on December 8, 2011, 2:19 PM
ABSOLUTELY!!!!!
Posted By tricia whitley on December 8, 2011, 9:36 PM
I absolutely agree that our military should be able to bypass some of the screening and given preferential boarding. They are keeping our sorry butts safe at home. As a mother of a paratrooper who served two long tours of duty, I have been among soldiers on post and off and trust them with my life. Can I say the same for teachers? Um, no. As for the comment about the PTSD, this is so overblown by the media. Again, I would trust my life with these men and women.
Posted By Ingrid Windsor on December 20, 2011, 7:52 AM
Nidal Hasan. No.
Posted By Alexis on December 21, 2011, 6:28 PM
No special treatment for anyone. Tne only reason we even are asked to exempt anyone is the security is insane. Congress does not want to do it either but let's face facts, any person that is known not to have to go through security is a person that could be used even without their knowledge to bring a potential weapon on a plane. This endangers the public if there really is a risk. I am skeptical that there is a big risk, but if we assume there is for someone than it is for everyone.
Posted By Msannanola on December 27, 2011, 7:26 PM
Yes, I absolutely think healthy, patriotic Americans in uniform should be allowed to pass through airport security quicker than other travelers. Anyone who doesn't either is not an American or they need to get their head examined.
Nobody is asking for them to be EXEMPT from security. Jeez......
Posted By vicki on January 3, 2012, 10:26 PM