The availability of cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages is not enough of a draw for some people interested in traveling but wary of having to deal with airport security.
Now, help may be on the way via the launch of a trusted traveler pilot program later this year. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been working to improve its security screening process and develop a program for business and frequent fliers willing to undergo prior security background screenings. The goal is to speed such fliers passage through airport security checkpoints.
TSA will commence a trial trusted air travel program this fall at select airports. Previous attempts to initiate such a program have failed. Demand has increased for speedier passage through checkpoints with the introduction of full body scanners and physical patdowns.
Patdowns of children are particularly controversial. Recently a lot of negative publicity was generated when a six year old girl was subjected to a physical patdown after having gone through a full body scanner.
TSA is considering revising its security procedures regarding children but notes that militants have used children in attacks before. TSA has changed its policy regarding the patdowns of children saying there will be repeated efforts to resolve that (i.e., children passing through security) without a patdown. www.cheapfares.com