Trusted Traveler program may come back
A report, commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association and released Wednesday, calls on airlines to allow passengers to check one bag free of charge and urges the creation of a voluntary “trusted traveler” program that partially resembles a mandatory one previously proposed by President George W. Bush — and canceled by Congress; Napolitano touts the “airport checkpoint of tomorrow”
Another incarnation of "Trusted Traveler" // Source: borderlandbeat.com
Treating every airport passenger as a potential terrorist slows the security system, is needlessly frustrating and deters some people from flying, according to a report that recommends ways to ease bottlenecks at security checkpoints.
The Washington Post reports that the report, commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association and released Wednesday, calls on airlines to allow passengers to check one bag free of charge and urges the creation of a voluntary “trusted traveler” program that partially resembles a mandatory one previously proposed by President George W. Bush — and canceled by Congress.
The furor last fall over new and intrusive screening techniques by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and an increase in the number of carry-on bags adding to airport lines (the result of airlines charging between $25 and $100 for checked baggage), have increased pressure for change both in Congress and the travel industry.
The Post notes that the federal government would not need congressional approval to mandate that airlines allow one checked bag free, but it is doubtful that the TSA could implement a trusted-traveler initiative without congressional approval.
What adds significance to the report is the heavyweight panel behind it, headed by Tom Ridge , former secretary of homeland security, and former congressman Jim Turner (D-Texas), who was on the House Homeland Security Committee.
Travel industry analysts think the long-awaited report will continue the debate over screening procedures and add another element to it: Even a voluntary trusted-traveler approach would require passengers to provide credit information, tax returns and other personal data to verify that members pose little or no risk.
In return, they would be allowed to zip through security.
During a speech Monday at MIT, DHS secretary Janet Napolitano said she was looking forward to the day when travelers would not have to shed their shoes before boarding an airplane.
Napolitano says the agency she runs is developing what she called the “airport checkpoint of tomorrow” that will allow passengers to go through fewer screenings.
