(c) 2011 American Society of Travel Agents |
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) offered praise for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole for a newly-announced initiative to move TSA airport security to a risk-based system to expedite the security screening process for eligible flyers.
During a briefing on July 14, 2011, Administrator Pistole informed industry stakeholders that a new pilot program will begin this fall to test enhancements to TSA's pre-flight, identity-based screening system through a partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and select airlines.
As part of this initiative, select airline frequent fliers, as well as select members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs who are U.S. citizens will be asked to participate in the pilot program. As part of the pilot, participants will be eligible to go through expedited security screening at four test airports (Atlanta, Detroit, Miami and Dallas Ft. Worth).
"This initiative is a solid step in the right direction," said Tony Gonchar, ASTA's CEO. “We praise Administrator Pistole’s leadership in moving TSA security screening to a risk-based system that will not only strengthen the nation’s airport security system, but also improve the passenger experience”.
"TSA has listened to its stakeholders,” said Chris Russo, ASTA’s president and chair. “The current one-size-fits-all approach to airport security works, but it is not very efficient. This common sense approach to airport security screening will allow TSA to refocus resources toward high risk targets, and at the same time make traveling much easier for many frequent travelers. We support TSA’s pilot program.”
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