Experts Align to Create New Vision for Air Travel Security Screening Process

Tom Ridge, Robert Crandall, Former Congressman Jim Turner to Address Concerns Leading Millions of Americans to Avoid Flying

March 16, 2010

Washington, DC - The U.S. Travel Association today announced the formation of a “Blue Ribbon Panel for Frictionless Security” to create a vision for the world’s most secure, efficient and customer-friendly air travel security screening process. The group, formed on the heels of the attempted Christmas Day bombing, features prominent security and facilitation experts, including Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security, Robert Crandall, former president and CEO of American Airlines, Jim Turner, former Democratic Congressman and Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Dave Bronzek, president and CEO of FedEx Express and Sam Gilliland, president and CEO of Sabre Holdings.

Recent research reveals growing traveler frustration with the air travel security screening process and a significant negative economic impact from fewer travelers flying due to unnecessary “hassles.” A February travelhorizons survey by the U.S. Travel Association revealed that 84 percent of travelers negatively equate air travel security screening with the process they experience at their local department of motor vehicles and 80 percent believe that customer service can be enhanced with strengthening security.

“The U.S. Travel Association understands the frustration of American travelers, and we, too, believe there is a better way,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “We’re bringing together the foremost experts on air security to create a vision for a process that maximizes security and minimizes the burden on air travelers. Two million Americans who travel by air daily are in need of a champion in Washington.”

The panel includes experts in aviation security, queuing, technology, privacy and economics (see below for full list of panel). U.S. Travel will also solicit the opinions of frequent travelers.

The panel will provide a fresh evaluation of the air travel security system, exploring new technologies and best practices from around the world. Setting politics and current cost constraints aside, the panel will engage in a fact-based analysis of:

• Process improvements;
• Technology;
• Human capital management;
• Physical infrastructure;
• Capital investments; and
• Privacy protections.

The group expects to deliver a blueprint for a secure and efficient air security screening system to Members of Congress and the Obama Administration in the summer of 2010.

Panel chairs are:

• The Honorable Tom Ridge, former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
• The Honorable Jim Turner, former ranking democratic member of the House Homeland Security Committee
• Sam Gilliland, chairman and CEO of Sabre Holdings

Panel members include:

• David Bronczek, president and CEO of FedEx Express
• Bob Crandall, former president and CEO of American Airlines
• Fred Dust, partner and practice lead at IDEO
• Jim Harper, director of information policy studies at CATO
• Kevin Hassett, senior fellow and director of economic policy studies at American Enterprise Institute
• Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, former staff director of the House Homeland Security Committee
• The Honorable Kathryn “Kitty” Higgins, former board member of the National Transportation Safety Board
• The Honorable Robert Jamison, former deputy administrator at the Transportation Security Administration
• Kathleen Kraninger, former deputy assistant secretary for screening coordination at the Department of Homeland Security
• Michael Lind, policy director of the Economic Growth Program, New America Foundation
• Mo McGowan, former federal security director for Dallas / Fort Worth Airport at the Transportation Security Administration
• Ajay Mehra, executive vice president at OSI Systems and president of Rapiscan Systems
• Rick “Ozzie” Nelson, director of the Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies
• Rick Patrick, vice president at L-1 Identity Solutions
• Thomas Ripp, president of L-3 Security and Detection Systems
• Stephanie Rowe, former assistant administrator for Transportation Threat Assessment & Credentialing at the Transportation Security Administration
• Bennet Waters, former Deputy Assistant Administrator at the Transportation Security Administration

Contact:
Cathy Keefe 202-408-2183

The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $770 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel’s mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. U.S. Travel is proud to be a partner in travel with American Express. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.