Why Register?

The U.S. State Department encourages travellers to register their trip at a secure government website. I generally register, although I've never read or received a persuasive explanantion of exactly what benefits a U.S. traveller receives from registering.

Now I am even more skeptical. Although the U.S. State Department has my address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address here in Thailand, I have received no communication in the past week (or ever). I would think a military coup would rate at least an e-blast.

The folklore among American travellers is that registering guarantees you a seat on a helicopter out if the shit truly hits the fan, but I have my questions about whether registering acts more to protect the traveller or more as a form of self-reported surveillance that allows the U.S. to keep track of its citizens.