The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now seeking alternatives to stringent security methods in response to many complaints and a decline in flight travel.
After 9/11, the US government sought new ways to ensure the safety of travelers. As safety measures have become more tedious and personal, passenger frustration has risen. Now with the introduction of body scanners and aggressive pat-downs, both the airline industry and customers are saying enough is enough. Foreign travelers are avoiding flights to the US, which hurts airlines and injures an already damaged economy. Customers feel that they are considered guilty until proven innocent. Many others perceive the strict safety measures as an invasion of privacy.
Tiered Security System
The TSA’s new program would allow crew and trusted flyers to skip long security lines by agreeing to background checks. The International Air Transport Association and the US Travel Association have proposed a tiered system with three categories of flyers. The first category would include travelers who have paid for a background check. This group would undergo minimal security procedures and be allowed to keep their shoes on and laptops in their bags.
The second group would be those who are considered a potential safety risk. These individuals would be steered into a separate lane to undergo harsher security measures, including body scans or thorough pat-downs. Everyone else would be considered a moderate risk and would receive the same treatment as prior to December 2010.
This new system would decrease the time spent in security checks for travelers considered to be a low to moderate security risk.
In a 2010 survey by the Global Business Travel Association, over 70% of respondents said they would be willing to pay for a background check if it meant they could encounter less security issues. Many airlines are now considering adding a security measure option as part of their frequent flyer and elite customer programs.
Intrusive and Costly?
Advocates for the background checks actually want more information, including details on past employment and mortgage payments, to ensure that those who have no criminal history are truly low-risk passengers.
The TSA once tried a similar system known as the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System II (CAPPS II). Congress shut down the system, calling it intrusive.
But privacy is not the only concern to critics of the traveler background check program. Hans Miller of Civitas Group thinks TSA background checks are not cost effective. Some argue that those who are not American should also benefit from the system. If foreigners pay for background checks, they can check in at a kiosk and avoid lengthy security and immigration lines. This would help boost travel and the economy.
Another idea that has been thrown around is to have war veterans and government employees use their government security clearance to be considered a low security risk.
Although there are many issues that have yet to be resolved, airlines and the government appear to be singing the same tune. Bob Poole, Director of Transportation Policy at the Reason Foundation, believes that no security system is fool-proof, but the TSA should strive to provide more fair services to travelers in the US.
Key Statistics – Global Homeland Security Market (source: Visiongain)
- Government spending on homeland security exceeded $178 billion globally last year.
- The homeland security market will be worth $2.7 trillion in ten years.
- The United States leads the homeland security market and is among a handful of nations that also have a Department of Homeland Security, including India, China, and Saudi Arabia.
