Alexandria (Apr. 27) --Consideration by federal authorities to relax security standards at Pittsburgh International Airport are ill-advised, ill-timed, and send a poor message to the world regarding the priority of aviation security in the U.S., according to Garth Jopling, President of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives. Responding to published accounts, Jopling stated that a proposal to suspend the post September 11th rule allowing non-ticketed individuals past security checkpoints was shortsighted in the extreme for a number of reasons.

"The Transportation Security Administration is presently struggling with means to reduce the security lines at the nation's airports. The U.S. congress is attempting to contain security costs by limiting the number of security screeners. This proposal will simply increase the number of people waiting on security lines by an undetermined number of well-wishers," said Jopling.

The ACTE president was also critical for the motive driving the proposed change in the security rules.

"A drop in business by airport concessionaires -- including an airport shopping mall -- was the first reason cited for this proposal," said Jopling. "While I'm sure the "only-ticketed-passengers-beyond-this-point" rule has put a dent in airport concession revenues -- and the rent which can be charged for premium airport space, sideline profits should not be driving airport security measures."

Jopling pointed out that if the TSA was successful in implementing the controversial CAPPS II program, screened and investigated passengers would be able to commingle with individuals who may have uncertain backgrounds. "And whether the CAPPS program is implemented or not, this scenario would open the airport to people who aren't going to fly. And considering the current low marks U.S. airport security is getting from its own government, that's an unnecessary risk."

Jopling thought the proposal's announcement couldn't have had worse timing. "Two days after the proposal was announced, reports from the Inspector General, the General Accounting Office, and a private firm describe airport security as lax and poor."

ACTE's president dismissed a previously published statement claiming that restricting well-wishers to one side of the security checkpoint was preventing people from flying.

"The U.S. has been striving to reach a high-level of uniform security procedures at all of its airports. It's own government inspectors feel it is far from that goal. Enough dangerous material still gets through security to pose a threat. Barely a month goes by without hearing about knives or guns, or the occasional stowaway getting on a plane," said Jopling. "I think U.S. airport security should first hit a uniform level, before the authorities begin rolling it back."

For more information, contact:
Jack Riepe
ACTE Communications Director
t: 610-719-8396
c: 610-256-0124
email: [email protected]