The mere thought of paying to government for the privilege of keeping my shoes on is nauseating. How can you even consider that? That program exists as a pressure relief valve to ensure anybody with political influence (businessmen, etc) don't have a motive to lobby for reform.
Why not? Seriously. I feel like there are a thousand things in life that annoy me -- like sitting at a red traffic light when its clear I can go w/o any danger to anyone.
It just seems like its low cost. And maybe of some value that I don't understand since I don't really study terrorist methods.
Because a computer/smartphone is practically an organ, a brain extension. Letting other people read its content without limitations is like letting them read your actual memory and thoughts (including those you'd like to keep private between yourself and your partners of all the kinds - business, sex, whatever) and probably even plant a backdoor for spying on you in future (I don't know about the US TSA but Chinese border authorities are known to do so). I wouldn't feel comfortable about that.
> I don't really study terrorist methods.
What if I, occasionally, do? Out of pure curiosity. I believe I have googled and downloaded a lot of content which could be found suspicious although I hardly ever had time to read that so far, pure curiosity and information hoarding are my only motivation.
I've never had to do that, but I haven't flown since 2016. If I was asked, I'd refuse. If they wouldn't let me though, I'd walk away and eat the cost.
I'll remember this for next time though. I'll be sure to check my phone and laptop. I could always just buy a book and not have electronic devices .. or maybe take a cassette deck.
AIUI the unlocking is usually requested at the customs checkpoint, which is after you've retrieved your checked luggage, and if you say no, you don't get to just "walk away" -- you risk finding yourself detained in legal limbo with no recourse.
I've experienced an unlock demand immediately after passing through TSA to get on a domestic flight. Had I refused I surely would have missed my flight and probably the wedding I was trying to get to. Maybe the consequences would have been even worse than that, but that alone was enough to coerce my compliance.
