Press Release

For Immediate Release
8 April 2005

ACTE President: Dismantling TSA Raises Big Questions For Business Travel Industry

Alexandria, VA -- - "Published reports of the Transportation Security Administration's dismantling in November raise a number of critical questions for the business travel industry," said ACTE President Greeley Koch. "Such as what agency or agencies will replace it? What will become of projects in development, like the Registered Traveler program? And what steps will be taken to assure a uniform standard of airport and airline security?"

ACTE's president added that while some highly controversial programs initiated by the TSA, like the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System II, gave the business travel industry cause for concern, the agency was able to bring a critical new focus to security issues that will require long term resolution.

"Some of these issues were procedural in nature, like pat-downs at the airport, screening processess, and luggage searches. Others were more philosophical, and spanned the privacy question," said Koch. "The depth of these issues revealed that any agency, or group of agencies, assigned the tasks of the TSA must work closer with the business travel industry to increase program effectiveness, reduce costly and redundant efforts, and build public confidence."

Koch pointed out that in the last three years, the federal government has independently introduced four different electronic means of traveler identity checks. These included CAPPSII, Registered Traveler, Secure Flight and the Radio Frequency Identification tag passport proposal. Of the four, only one has made it to the working prototype phase. And none of the Registered Traveler pilot programs share the same database.

"Each of these programs generated reams of public commentary, and debate" said Koch. "This track record is the best argument for one standardized approach to traveler security, developed through a closer relationship with system users."

ACTE is concerned that reassigning various programs to different government agencies will result in developing multiple electronic travel devices (RFID passports, Registered Traveler Cards, and Border Control Cards) with multiple layers of cost for travelers -- without significantly improving traveler security.

The association has maintained a monthly briefing with the TSA and emphasizes that this level of communication will be essential with any agency -- or agencies -- that assume its functions.

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