This CNN article explains that the TSA has a test program in which it issues cards to frequent fliers who volunteer for a background check. This allows such fliers to bypass the usual airport searches. Right now the program is free, but the government may eventually charge a “modest fee” for participants.
In a static cost-benefit analysis, this is great—people who value their time more than the fee and inconvenience of the background check will gain from the option, and the government gets revenue! (It’s just like selling pollution permits rather than dictating fixed quotas for each firm.)
Of course, such an analysis takes it for granted that the government should be screening passengers in the first place. If you really want to ease flying, why not let the market take care of it? Finally, I wonder what will happen when the first terrorists are caught using these cards? Will there be another level of super duper safe fliers, who have, I don’t know, a special card plus a homing chip in their heads?
