ACTE, NBTA Address Airport Security

The National Business Travel Association this week partnered with the Transportation Security Administration to launch a campaign to alert travelers of new security measures at the nation's airports, prepare them for travel and assist them at airports. Additionally, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives--in response to security measures set to take effect on Jan. 1--is putting together an advisory for travel managers to educate them on avoiding the hassles of processing bags at airports. Although the travel managers who will study the problem and create the advisory officially have not been appointed, ACTE plans to announce the names and details on Monday, Nov. 18.

NBTA will help TSA distribute information to travelers including travel and timesaving tips and recommendations. "The Prepare for Takeoff campaign is an integral part of TSA's overall plan for providing world-class security and world-class customer service," said Admiral James Loy, U.S. Department of Transportation undersecretary for security. "With leaders from the aviation, travel and tourism industries participating, and cooperation from well-prepared travelers, TSA's resources can be more efficiently focused on providing maximum security for everyone."

ACTE executive director Nancy Holtzman said: "It appears that additional airport security measures slated to take effect in less than two months will require a high percentage of checked bags to be opened and physically searched in the absence of their owners. Yet, neither the government nor the airlines have offered a policy on dealing with locked bags. There is also no authority at this time assuming the liability for lost or stolen articles."

For more than a year Congress has had a deadline on checked baggage security systems set for Jan. 1. The measures are set to be enacted on that day unless an extension is given. "We are not opposed to additional security measures," said ACTE spokesperson Jack Riepe. "What we want are well thought-out security measures."