The U.S. Travel Association commended the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for expanding PreCheck enrollment to include Canadian NEXUS members. Beginning Nov. 15, Canadian citizens who are members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency NEXUS program and traveling in the United States are eligible to receive expedited screening at participating PreCheck airports
"Allowing NEXUS members to participate in PreCheck will improve the travel process for Canadians while strengthening both programs," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "PreCheck has great potential for improving the facilitation of travelers, and by taking further steps to expand and develop the program, we can expect to see the travel process become safer and more efficient."
TSA's PreCheck program allows passengers to undergo expedited screening at dedicated lanes, U.S. Travel notes, which could include leaving shoes, belts and light outerwear on, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. The program mirrors a trusted traveler program that was a key recommendation of U.S. Travel's 2011 Blue Ribbon Panel report on aviation security.
NEXUS, which now includes 738,000 travelers, was formed to facilitate border crossing for pre-approved members between Canada and the United States and allows expedited screening at dedicated processing lanes at ports of entry, Canadian pre-clearance airports and maritime reporting locations, U.S. Travel reports.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) also applauded the decision by the TSA to include Canadian NEXUS members in the program. “This is a significant benefit for Canadian business travelers and a significant milestone in the United States-Canada Beyond the Border Action Plan. Collaboration on security initiatives among nations with qualified trusted traveler programs facilitates international business travel and drive economic growth,” said Patty Higginbotham, GBTA vice president of Government Relations.
GBTA noted it has long supported Global Entry, and other risk-based, intelligence-driven trusted traveler programs that benefit business travelers. "While ensuring security on every level, these programs make travel more efficient and reduce travel time. As the global marketplace becomes even more integrated, business travel will significantly increase if government authorities continue to take steps to ease travel burdens while ensuring security, GBTA said.
Visit www.gbta.org or www.ustravel.org