A new U.S Travel Association report recommends Congress and the
Transportation Security Administration create a "risk-based" trusted-traveler
program and require airlines to allow travelers to check at least one bag at no
additional cost in order to reduce the amount of luggage going through airport
security checkpoints.
USTA also suggested TSA "improve their education and
communication on security rules and regulations" to the general traveling
public, cut down on duplicative security screening for international arrivals,
expand trusted-traveler programs to international passengers and give TSA
authority over the entire checkpoint area.
The report called upon the federal government to create a
panel of "experts" to "implement well-defined risk management
processes."
The Air Transport Association of America in a statement criticized
USTA's bag-fee proposal, noting that "dictating how airlines deliver and
price their products and services diminishes customer choice and competitive
differentiation among carriers" and "such a move benefits no one and
unfortunately detracts from important aspects of their recommendations."