Travel Organizations Support "Registered Traveler," Airlines Say No

The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the Voluntary Credentialing Industry Coalition (VCIC) say they support the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Registered Traveler program.  Many U.S. airlines continue to oppose it, however.

"Registered Traveler has the potential to enhance security while improving service to the traveling public as part of a risk-based system," said Greg Principato, ACI-NA President. "But the benefits of a Registered Traveler program must be clear and make financial sense for passengers, airports and airlines."

"Business travelers and corporate travel managers have long supported the implementation of a Registered Traveler program that would provide volunteer participants with expedited security screening, shorten all security lines and allow TSA to more effectively focus its limited resources," said NBTA President and CEO, Suzanne Fletcher.

"ASTA fully supports the TSA's efforts to implement the Registered Traveler program-as it provides an innovative approach to ensuring a safe, convenient and efficient travel experience," said Kathryn W. Sudeikis, CTC, ASTA's president and CEO.

"TSA's Registered Traveler Program signals the emergence of a new industry where companies offering advanced biometric technology, software products, equipment and integrated services are working together to solve the challenges of the global war on terror.  The voluntary credentialing industry holds great promise to provide security and convenience for access control," said Tom Blank, Executive Director of the Voluntary Credential Industry Coalition (VCIC).

But ATA Says No

But the Air Transport Association (ATA), the trade association which represents the principal U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, disagrees, and issued the following statement today regarding the recent TSA announcement of its next steps for the program:

"ATA firmly believes that limited TSA resources should not be diverted from efficiently and effectively screening all passengers, to a program that provides limited and questionable benefits for some customers.  Instead, TSA should focus on programs that improve the overall passenger screening process."  05-01-2006.

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