The USA started all this crap ...
and some of it's value to 'security' is beyond comprehension.
Why is it necessary, for example, to record the type of meal ordered on a flight? Sure, you might tell a Muslim from a Jew but what self-respecting terrorist/Freedom Fighter wouldn't change his diet?
A lot of the guff they collect is self-evident. For example, never buy tickets from the same Travel Agent; likewise, never buy tickets for people travelling together at the same time or place, etc.
PAX should know the difference between Direct and Non-Stop flights; use of 'hidden cities' (see: https://skiplagged.com; www.flyshortcut.com; www.digitaltrends.com/web/secret-airlines-hidden-cities-fares-screws-everyone-else/), etc.
As the article pointed out, using land transportation completely thwarts the ever curious security types - but you need to know the little tricks border guards use to ensure proper crossing procedures.Whilst the Canadian/US border has been protected for years by ground sensors (if you want to cross get very close and friendly with a animal that can carry you through a forest) many countries in other parts of the world have many unguarded crossings or small crossings that don't have computers.
All this tracking is a waste of money and energy if there is even one hole in the system. How is Cameron going to know if you cross from France, switch small craft, then sail into Blighty? The answer is you will unlikely be detected.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
