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Grassroots Campaign To Improve Airport Passenger
Security Screening By Jim Douglas |
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April 14, 2011 - On Wednesday the U.S. Travel
Association is launching a national grassroots campaign
to urge Congress to implement a trusted traveler
program. Eighty percent of travelers surveyed say there
should be a nationwide trusted traveler program that
provides alternative screening measures at airports for
American citizens who submit to background checks and
meet other criteria.
"Travelers encounter too much hassle at our nation's
airports, and it's time for Congress to act," said Roger
Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.
"A one size fits all approach to security is
inefficient. If Congress implements a trusted traveler
program, we'll see more Americans traveling and that
will create more American jobs." Travelers would take an average of two to three more trips a year if the hassle could be reduced without compromising security effectiveness. These additional trips could add $84.6 billion in spending and 888,000 more jobs. |
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The "Be
Trusted" campaign is a national grassroots campaign advocating
Congressional implementation of a trusted traveler program. The
campaign will include advertisements in newspapers and airports,
social media, events at airports, an advocacy website and
toll-free number to connect travelers directly with members of
Congress, and an online petition.
A trusted
traveler program that utilizes true risk management is a key
recommendation of U.S. Travel's recent report on aviation
security. The recommendation calls for the creation of a tightly
controlled enrollment program and re-verification process, a
confirmation process at the airport that ensures only enrolled
individuals are utilizing the trusted traveler screening lanes,
and a checkpoint process that reflects the low-risk nature of
the traveler. |