|
 Security Revolt
Travel industry demands airport screening reform
By Marshall Krantz
During the past Thanksgiving holiday season—the busiest time of year for the nation's airports—complaints about the federal government's method of screening passengers at airport security checkpoints reached a fever pitch. Hundreds, if not thousands, of air travelers loudly protested against airport scanners that render passengers virtually naked and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pat-down procedures that many said amounted to government groping.
Crystallizing the traveling public's frustration, and now something of an unofficial battle cry, one pugnacious passenger at San Diego International Airport hotly warned a TSA agent, "If you touch my junk, I'll have you arrested!"
 Thanks in large part to that public outcry, chances that the federal government will improve airport security procedures appear better now than anytime since the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. And smoother airport security screening can only help increase attendance at meetings, conventions and trade shows, especially given the rough couple of years the meetings industry has endured in a weakened economy.
Leading the charge to change the present screening system is the United States Travel Association, which represents the entire domestic travel industry. In March, U.S. Travel unveiled a set of proposals that its executives say have been well-received by government officials, even if no public commitments to specific proposals have yet been forthcoming.
"Air travel is the gateway to commerce and an improved experience is directly tied to job creation and a stronger economy," said Roger Dow, CEO of U.S. Travel, in announcing the proposals, which are based on a comprehensive report of aviation security that U.S. Travel issued concurrently.
American travelers would fly on average two to three times more per year if the hardships of airport security were eliminated, according to a survey conducted last year by Consensus Research that was included in the report. Those additional flights would add nearly $85 billion in consumer spending and nearly 900,000 jobs to the American economy... Read More...
International Barriers
Two other U.S. Travel recommendations, which are aimed at easing security procedures for international travelers, could also help U.S.-based conventions and trade shows draw more international attendees.
One proposal would expand any Trusted Traveler program to qualified international travelers entering the U.S., while the other would allow qualified international inbound travelers who are flying onward to another domestic airport to forego a duplicate security check when initially landing in the country.... Read More...
| Subscribe Today! |
 |
Don't miss out on a wealth of information that will make your job as a meeting planner more efficient and rewarding, such as:
- Planning information you can actually utilize with articles on new properties, expansions and interesting facilities
- Feature stories that deliver crucial meetings information to help improve your performance
- Programs and packages that will save valuable meetings dollars and make you invaluable
|
|
Now available in digital, subscribe today.
|
|
