TSA Trusted Traveler Program
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has long advocated on behalf of travelers for the transition to an identity-based, pre-flight, risk-based security system, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is listening! TSA has recently announced the launch of a pilot program for a much-needed Trusted Traveler system.
This program will initially be tested using certain U.S. citizen frequent fliers and some members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s existing Trusted Traveler programs. Qualified participants in the pilot program will be eligible for expedited screening at select checkpoints at certain airports.
“Our members have the utmost respect for the work TSA does, and we applaud the launch of this pilot program as an important next step in advancing our air transit system. The way this pilot program is designed, business travelers are going to see benefits,” Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO, GBTA, said.
TSA Administrator Pistole will join the interactive ‘LIVE with GBTA - The World's Largest Airline and What's Next in Travel Security’ discussion panel to discuss the pilot program at the upcoming 2011 GBTA Convention in Denver. With more than 6,000 attendees, the GBTA Convention is the largest, most comprehensive annual gathering of business travel and meetings managers, meeting planners, procurement professionals and suppliers anywhere in the world.
GBTA Director McCormick concluded, “TSA has taken a significant step toward turning theory into practice. Business travelers are among the most qualified candidates for this program, and we are hopeful the program is a success that makes air travel both safer and more efficient.”
Source: TravelDailyNews.com