US urged not to rely on luck to safeguard travellers
Tuesday, 30 Dec, 2009
0
The Obama administration and US government agencies are being urged to not rely on luck to keep travellers safe, following the failed Detroit airline bomb plot on Christmas Day.
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives called for diplomatic work with global counterparts to ensure that the most effective security systems are in place.
A complete review of how the US Department of Homeland Security manages and maintains ‘No Fly/Watch’ lists.
ACTE president Richard Crum said the near success of an individual to bring down the commercial airliner raises “serious questions” over the effectiveness of screening programs especially the viability of “No Fly” lists – whose management is under the jurisdiction of DHS’s Transportation Security Administration.
Until such reviews are conducted and corrective actions taken ACTE remains “very concerned” for the safety and security of all travellers worldwide.
“An admission by US Department of Homeland Security’s secretary Janet Napolitano that the current system did not work and that the No Fly/Watch lists need to be better linked and processes reviewed raises serious questions regarding the effectiveness of current protocols,” Crum said.
“In the December 25th attempted attack, an international traveller who had already been placed on a watch list, and who bought his ticket with cash and boarded without luggage and with explosives, went unchallenged and was not subject to an interview nor tighter inspection.
“This individual was able to sidestep a number of red flags, any one of which should have kept him from boarding the aircraft.”
Crum also warned of the tendency to implement short-sighted security measures that are high on public visibility, but low on effectiveness in deterring illegal as well as terrorist activity.
Crum also warned of the tendency to implement short-sighted security measures that are high on public visibility, but low on effectiveness in deterring illegal as well as terrorist activity.
“We believe that safety is paramount however we were pleased to see the lifting of stop-gap security procedures that impede the flow of business travel and the productivity of millions of business travellers.” added Crum.
The number of names on various government watch lists — particularly the “No Fly” list — has been the subject of contention for years, ACTE claimed. The number of names on these lists vary from 7,800 (TSA) to more than a million (American Civil Liberties Union). A recent report pegged one list at 550,000 names.
The number of names on various government watch lists — particularly the “No Fly” list — has been the subject of contention for years, ACTE claimed. The number of names on these lists vary from 7,800 (TSA) to more than a million (American Civil Liberties Union). A recent report pegged one list at 550,000 names.
“These lists contain the names of hundreds of thousands of travellers who have nothing to do with terrorism, but who are routinely delayed, searched, and interviewed for flight after flight,” said Crum.
“Yet it is still possible for one individual, armed with an explosive, named on one list, be denied entry to Great Britain, and still get on a plane without even being questioned. This is more than just a random failure of one segment of a system. It is an indictment of the whole program.”
ACTE has maintained for years that the watch list procedures need overhauling.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
Updating... Please wait...
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent