Press Release
For Immediate Release
22 February 2007
ACTE - Good News and Bad News For Travelers in DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
Alexandria, VA -- There is good news for thousands of business travelers who find themselves repeatedly tagged for secondary inspection at airports, detained for clearance by Washington, or stuck on the “No-Fly” list. The Department of Homeland Security’s new Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) -- introduced by a press conference call on February 21 -- now offers a highly simplified approach for travelers who are mismatched with names on various watch lists. The bad news is that it is far from instantaneous and may not resolve identity problems based on incorrect data in government files.
“Anything that speeds up the identity correction process is a bonus,” said Greeley Koch, President of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives. “But those who were expecting a sweeping new means of correcting identity-checking procedures are going to be disappointed by the DHS TRIP program.”
Koch added there appear to be two significant flaws in the new program: processing time and access to incorrect data. According to statements made by DHS and TSA officials in the press conference call, it isn’t possible to determine at this point how long it will take to process a request for redress. This is because the various agencies responsible for clearing identities each use a different time matrix for the process. And the general process is still slow for the electronic age.
After filing a redress request on the DHS TRIP website, applicants are then required to mail or fax copies of various documents (drivers license, passport, birth certificate, and social security card) to the DHS office, where they will be sent to the appropriate agency for evaluation.
Representatives from the TSA stated their response time has been shortened to ten days (down from a high of 60). Yet the clock starts running from the time all requested information arrives in their office, and stops with the final determination sent out by US mail. No other time frames from other government agencies were offered.
One of the most common complaints discussed on the call was that travelers had TSA clearance, but were detained from entering the country by Customs/Border Protection. TSA acknowledged a case where individual had been detained at a border crossing in Michigan no less than 12 times in the past year. A participant on the call stated that he had been detained by customs 4 times recently, for an average of two hours, while waiting to be cleared by a call from Washington. Officials were familiar with the individuals in each case, but previously unable to effect resolution.
The DHS TRIP program will simplify contacting all of the agencies involved, but the fastest response time will be determined by agency with the slowest processing time. Travelers who receive redress will have their names forwarded to a “cleared list.” Yet the TSA also stated in a separate fact sheet that many problems with repeated false positve reading for the “No-Fly” list exist at the carrier level, where airlines may not fully pursue matching the name of a traveler with names on the “Cleared” list.
“Placing each of the government agencies responsible for the identity confirmation process on the same time-response matrix should be a primary consideration in the next evolution of this program,” said Koch.
It appears the redress program will benefit those who are simply mismatched with names on various watch lists, but may be less effective for travelers whose data is incorrect. There was no indication that travelers will actually have access data in their records.
“It’s critical for travelers to know why redress is being denied, and how the problem can be resolved,” said Koch.
A question was raised as to how long data sent to the DHS by travelers will be stored. The answer is seven years. One reason given for this interval was that if the redress process fails the first time, a history will have been established for the traveler, accelerating future redress efforts.
It was also asked if a travel manager can file for redress on behalf of a company’s travelers. That is also possible, though it is unlikely a travel manager would have ready access to this level of personal documentation, and even more unlikely a traveler would want this data stored in the travel department.
“The business travel industry has waited a long time for this redress program. As a first draft, DHS TRIP consolidates the application process into a highly simplified operation. But there is a lot of work to be done in coordinating the response from different government agencies, reducing the time factor, and in guaranteeing the data in government files is correct. In its present form, the program is a start,” said Koch.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
F: 020 7326 9890
E: [email protected]
W: www.brightergroup.com