For Immediate Release!
August 22, 2002
GAO Quizzes ACTE Leadership on "Registered Traveler" Program Alexandria, Va., Aug. 22
-- Representatives of the Government Accounting Office quizzed ranking members of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) yesterday on the organization's perspective of the "Registered Traveler" program. This discussion was part of a GAO initiative exploring the feasibility of a program designed to accelerate the security process for frequent travelers at the nation's airports.
ACTE members had previously identified the need for a "Registered Traveler" program in the security vacuum following the 9/11 attacks, and incorporated a study of the topic in their Sense of the Industry Report. An association task force -- headed by former ACTE President Earl Foster -- has been subsequently working on the subject. The GAO GAO has expressed an interest in the task force's findings.
The GAO focused its questions on a procedural overview, cost analysis and security/technology points. Earl Foster explained the voluntary nature of the program, that it would be primarily supported by revenue derived from business travelers, but that the security and technology aspects of the program would be at the discretion of the government.
"It isn't ACTE's purpose to tell the government how to design and operate this service, but rather to justify the need and expedite the effort to get this system up and running," said Foster. He further explained that this program wouldn't offer less security to business travelers for the sake of convenience, but would offer a parallel level of security, with added convenience -- at extra charge.
"There is some concern that a 'Registered Traveler' program will show preferential treatment to business travelers, or frequent travelers who can pay for the service," said Cheryl Hutchinson, ACTE's president. "In actuality, it will free up additional security personnel and speed up lines at the standard passenger checkpoints. In this way, all travelers will benefit."
Perhaps the most interesting question posed by the GAO concerned liability: What happens to the liability issue if a terrorist manages to sidestep this system to commandeer a plane?
"I don't see liability changing much or at all," said Foster. "No system is foolproof. But we are more aware of procedural limitations these days. I expect any 'Registered Traveler' program will incorporate regular upgrades and enhancements that reflect technological advances."
ACTE's statements will be included in a preliminary report to Congress in about a month, according to GAO representative Robert Klosky. Cheryl Hutchinson pledged the association's resources (as a sounding board, a prototype testing group, and as developmental advisors) to the GAO in the future.
For more information, please contact:
Jack Riepe
Marketing and Communications Director
Association of Corporate Travel Executives
610-719-8396
Cell: 610-256-0124
Founded
in 1988, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is
a member-driven organisation wholly dedicated to the science of
business travel management with an international constituency. ACTE
membership totals more than 2,400, including business travel executives
in Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America
and the United States. The organisation is headquartered in Alexandria,
Va., with regional offices located in Brussels, and Singapore. ACTE's
web site is www.acte.org.
