- March 2009
- Current Events
- Travel Tips
- Supplier News
- Regional
- International
- Government/Legislation
- Technology
- Industry Trends/Innovations
- Supplier Spotlight
- Supplier Promotions
- Spotlight on Leisure Offers
Current Events
-
Obama budget plan includes travel-related elements
U.S. President Barack Obama’s budget plan, outlined on February 26, proposes an increase in the Aviation Passenger Security Fee beginning in 2012. Currently, the fee amounts to USD $2.50 per segment. The budget plan does not outline the proposed amount of increase.
The increase is proposed as a way to “offset costs associated with Transportation Security Administration screening of aviation passengers.” Travel associations including the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) have opposed plans to increase the fee.
The budget plan also outlines USD $800 million in funding for development of the Next Generation air-traffic control system. The system aims to improve air traffic control by employing a satellite-based system rather than the ground-based radar system currently in place.
In addition, the plan proposes a five-year, $5 billion high-speed rail State grant program.
The proposed fiscal year 2010 budget can be found at www.whitehouse.gov. The budget requires congressional approval before taking effect.
Sources: USA TODAY, Reuters, whitehouse.gov, btnonline.com, acte.org
Identification stickers aim to reunite travelers and laptops
According to research conducted by the Ponemon Institute in 2008, more than 12,000 laptops are lost every week in U.S. airports, two-thirds of which are never reclaimed. Additionally, there are occasionally incidences of a traveler mistakenly picking up another traveler’s similar-looking laptop at the security checkpoint.
A San Jose Transportation Security Officer (TSO) recently introduced a simple solution to the problem of lost laptops. He created an identification sticker travelers can complete with their name and phone number, and adhere to their laptop at the security checkpoint. As a result, forgotten laptops can be more quickly reunited with their owners, reducing related delays and inconveniences for these passengers. The ID stickers are designed to be removed easily.
Sources: tsa.gov, ponemon.org
