A new survey from the U.S. Travel Association indicates that Americans are dissatisfied with the country’s slow moving progression on offering efficient travel experiences in airports. The association proposes Congress make “immediate progress” on this issue by returning billions of dollars from the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee. This fee, which was implemented after 9/11, adds a charge to all passenger airfares to be allocated for security in airports.
“Americans want the United States to lead the world in travel efficiency, not lag behind it, and they’re telling Congress exactly how to get there: put the 9/11 Security Fee back where it belongs,” says Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Stealing 9/11 security dollars is shameful. Allocating the fee to proven technology would speed screening, strengthen security and create a more seamless and secure airport experience. It’s a bipartisan fix waiting to happen.”
The results of the association’s recent survey found that most Americans are still unhappy with travel security processes. Two-thirds of those surveyed expressed concern for the state of the U.S.’s air traffic control systems. Many have also expressed issue with security screening protocols like the removal of liquids and electronics from bags.
The Travel Security Administration (TSA), which oversees all air security operations in the U.S., has begun to make small changes in recent years. Modernizing technology to make security measures more efficient. These changes have largely included the collection and use of biometrics to identify passengers as they move through security. Last year, TSA decided to allow travelers to keep their shoes on while passing through security and suggested that the next changes to be seen could be the removal of liquid policies at airports.
The U.S. Travel Association’s survey reveals that technological advancements involving biometric data collection are widely supported, with 81% of Americans backing its use, a percentage which increases when travelers are assured their private data will be protected. The air travel industry has faced challenges over the past year with government shutdowns forcing workers to strike or work unpaid at airports across the country. Air traffic control systems at various airports have also been brought into question.
More than three-quarters of the survey respondents believed TSA officers and air traffic controllers should be paid higher wages, even during government shutdowns. Overall, around 89% of those surveyed believe the 9/11 Security Fees should be used as intended, to advance the security technology in the USA to compete with the modernized systems of other top countries for air travel.
