For Immediate Release!
April 26, 2004
Business Traveler’s Support Registered Traveler Program!
But Will It Be Obsolete Before Implementation?
Orlando, FL – USA - (Apr. 26) -- Eighty-five percent of business travelers support the
Transportation Safety Administration’s concept of a Registered Traveler program, according to a survey conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives. Seventy-three percent liked the idea so much, they indicated they’d pay up to $100 annually to participate in the program.
“It would appear that the TSA has correctly assessed market requirements for a registered
traveler program,” said Garth Jopling, ACTE President. “The percentage of business travelers in
support of this program is in line a with a previous ACTE survey on the same subject.”
What’s disturbing to the ACTE Task
force on the CAPPS II (Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System II) and the
Registered Traveler Program are the responses to additional questions, which indicate a lack of general knowledge on
the part of business travelers. “There is some evidence that the traveling public might have
some confusion regarding the details of both programs.”
For example, despite everything that’s been published and aired about CAPPS II, 57 percent of
survey respondents were unaware that the TSA would require companies or airlines to submit PNR
information (personal data) for background investigation. And not knowing how that information
might be used, 70 percent said they had no problem submitting the data.
These figures are in contrast to public positions generally reported in the media. ACTE
officials suspect the public believes the Registered Travel program will be offered as an
option to CAPPS II. The task force also thinks the traveling public regards Registered Traveler
as a kind of Easy Pass, where they’ll just sort of slow down at the checkpoint.
“The attraction of the Registered Traveler program lies in getting the passenger out of long
security lines,” said Angela Naegele, ACTE’s CAPPS II and Registered Traveler Initiative Leader.
Yet the survey revealed that 44 percent of respondents waited up to 15-30 minutes on security
lines per trip. Twelve percent waited as long as 45 minutes, while six percent claimed they
waited longer than 45 minutes.
”Our survey showed that airport waiting periods have been greatly diminished since new security
procedures were first introduced following the events of September 11th. With more efficient
gate screening procedures, these times could be reduced even more. Our fear is that the TSA
might be developing a product with a very short shelf life. Would the average traveler still
pay $100 to save three hours a year? That’s about 50 cents a minute. Especially if the waiting
periods were in 10-minute increments.”
Travelers under the impression their companies will be standing in line to pick up this tab are
mistaken. A survey of travel managers indicates a majority of companies do not feel this is the
best use of travel dollars.
ACTE is recommending that a complete program proposal for the Registered Traveler program be
submitted by the TSA for public commentary. “This would take the guess work out of it.
Such a proposal should include a listing of the background data to be collected, what happens
if you are denied participation, and a process for reconciliation,” said Naegele.
“We offered the resources of our task force to the TSA in developing and evaluating the
initial “Registered Traveler” program over a year ago. “ACTE is willing to make that same
offer to any third party contractor the TSA may have hired to develop the program for them.”
For more information, contact:
Jack Riepe
ACTE Communications Director
t: 610-719-8396
c: 610-256-0124
e: [email protected]
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