BUSINESS TRAVEL
Express screening program: good deal or invasion of privacy?
The ban on all liquids in carry-ons in August was just another
weary reminder to business travelers of the post-9/11 world in
which they operate. The ban came after the British foiled a
plot in London to use liquid explosives to blow up passenger
planes headed to the United States. While travelers quickly
adjusted to the new rules — at Portland International
Airport it was virtually a non-event — it was a reminder
that random security crackdowns are still part of
traveling.
RESOURCES
Every company should
manage its risk by taking a few basic steps with its
traveling employees:
1. Make
sure you know where all your traveling employees are
at all times. Complete itineraries should be on file.
Have a policy about how many employees can travel
together.
2.
Review your travel insurance coverage to see if it
adequately covers such things as accidents, deaths,
damaged equipment and liability.
3. Know
the risks involved when you travel, including safety
and health issues. Here are several websites than can
help:
For real-time information at Portland International
Airport: www.flypdx.com
For traveler’s health information, go to the
Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/travel/
The TSA website, for information on flying rules,
banned items, travel tips, Registered Traveler and a
host of other airport issues: www.tsa.dot.gov
The State Department’s website for travelers
includes a wide variety of information on
international travel issues: www.travel.state.gov
For information specific to business travel, go to:
www.state.gov/travelandbusiness
The World Health Organization has information on
international travel and health: www.who.int/ith/en/
For a directory of major U.S. airports and airlines:
www.officialusa.com/travel/airlines/
For a database of links to worldwide airport and
airlines: www.airlineandairportlinks.com
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The long waits in line following that incident also renewed
debate over plans to offer a Registered Traveler (RT) program
that would offer express screening for passengers willing to
undergo extensive government background checks and submit to
eye and fingerprint scans. Registered Travelers are subject to
the same carry-on restrictions and must pass through the same
screening as other passengers, but they get to use an expedited
security line. The fee is around $100 a year.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says 12
airports are interested in the program, but would not release
the names. Orlando International is the test airport and has
had RT since July (with 26,000 members). The program’s
rollout was to expected to start this summer, but the TSA now
says there is no firm timeline for implementation. Travelers
will sign up either with the aiport or the air carrier,
whichever entity has signed an RT agreement.
Portland International Airport is not participating in the RT
program because “we already have express lanes in place
that essentially address the goals of the RT program,”
says airport spokesman Steve Johnson. “With the express
lanes covered, we feel it’s prudent to evaluate the
actual tests of the program before making any final
decisions.”
An express lane is available at the checkpoints for passengers
enrolled in qualifying airline mileage programs, or passengers
traveling between Portland and Seattle. For more
information, go to
/.docs/pg/451?redirect_id=20105/Travel_Checkpoints.aspx
Some of the largest airports are also opting out of the
program, including those in Atlanta, Detroit, San Francisco,
and Boston’s Logan Airport. Opponents such as the
American Civil Liberties Union see the program as an
unnecessary invasion of privacy. The Air Transport Association,
the primary trade association for U.S. air carriers, has asked
airports across the country not to participate in this program
because it says it would be a waste of resources.
Advocates for the program say frequent fliers need to get
through airports more quickly.
“This would be great for business travelers,” says
Caleb Tiller, of the National Business Travel Association,
which is based in Washington, D.C. He says he expects the RT
program to roll out later this year.
The TSA says it expects 10-20 more airports in the next phase
of the program. It plans to take public comment for one year,
then modify the program so it can be offered nationwide.
Even though it doesn’t offer the RT program,
Portland’s aiport has made improvements to make traveling
a little better. Johnson notes upgrades to the food and
retail areas, the addition of a concourse connector,
installation of Wi-Fi and upgraded conference facilities. In
addition, a new parking system will debut in this spring to
make finding a spot in the parking garage easier. Message signs
on each level of the garage will note the number of vacant
spaces and guide drivers to those available spaces.
— Robin Doussard
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