Security Fees May Rise – You Cool with This? Angry? Resigned?

February 27, 2009 | Posted in: Passengers, Security, Taxes

CNN has pointed out that the “security fee” of $2.50 per flight leg – with a maximum of $5 total per flight – will go up in 2012 if President Obama’s proposed budget goes forward. No one’s saying how much it would go up, though. Now, $2.50 isn’t much – they could double it, and it still wouldn’t be much. Or are you feeling nickel-and-dimed to death? On the other hand, the fee has remained the same since it was first imposed – back in 2002. Thoughts?

4 Responses to “Security Fees May Rise – You Cool with This? Angry? Resigned?”

1. MikeC says:

   February 27, 2009 at 4:20 pm

   Ahem, why is ok that it remains the same since 2002? Why can’t it go away?
2. Elliot says:

   February 27, 2009 at 6:51 pm

   Can we point to any real improvements in airport security? I see lots of things designed to make us think there have been improvements. But I haven’t seen any real improvements. And no, banning liquids, in my book, has nothing to do with improvements.

   I say make the TSA prove their have been actual real improvements in security, using real data. If the data shows there have been real improvements,, then I could be convinced of a justification for a small increase in the fee. If no improvements can be proven, as I suspect the case would be, then absolutely not.
3. Frank says:

   March 6, 2009 at 10:58 pm

   The TSA is all for show. It is the George Bush make them feel safe show. It is to make the gullable feel safe. The no shoes, no shirt policy is BS. Yes they made me take off my shirt at LAX once. They have equipment to detect whether I have something under my shirt. I agree with Elliot. An increase in fees at this time is unjustifiable. They have no new technology.
   There is an endless supply of applicants for the job, so that should keep wages down. The unemployment rate is 10%. So
   why the increase now.
4. Jim says:

   March 10, 2009 at 4:31 am

   People are tired of all the nuisance fees and this one is a big example of things gone wrong. I’ll pay for common sense but there is none with a government agency and I have worked for one since 1985! Elliot points to a real boner with the liquids. First it was three ounces but later raised to 3.4 to match the European standard 100ml. How about the USA matching the standard US size of 4 ounces???

   Security fees, segment fees, facility fees, it all adds up to more money encouraging more waste.