TSA Trusted Traveler Program – Orlando

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) took a good first effort at improving airport promptness in July 2011 with its domestic “trusted traveler” program. Commencing in the Fall of 2011, four airports affiliated with Delta Airlines and American Airlines will be part of this domestic pilot test.

There is no initial enrollment cost during the test period. However, once the program gets fully engaged, there will be a projected $100-$150 annual cost. The program is voluntary for anyone who is a frequent traveller with American and/or Delta and also for one who agrees to be subjected to background and other privacy checks. Performing these checks in advance greatly expedites the airport screening process for these selected travellers.

In fact, the US Travel Association is also lobbying hard to expand the international “trusted traveler” program via the Global Entry nation partnership. Currently, this program is designed to expedite or omit the global immigration check process altogether. All of these checks would be pre-performed for those trusted countries’ incoming citizens. For more about the Global Entry and Trusted Traveller programs.

Many visitors from one of Orlando’s largest international markets (the United Kingdom) often complain loudly about the security process when entering the USA. Many feel abused as they get their fingerprints taken, and their retinas scanned. In a global market, these offended international travellers can easily opt for other travel destinations other than the USA to avoid such a process.

At the recent 28th annual US Travel Association meeting, Association President Roger Dow emphasized the need to expand the Global Entry program beyond its current 36 member country reciprocal arrangement. Moreover, Mr. Dow alluded to the United States’ declining share of the international tourism market which has dropped from 18% 12 years ago to its current market share of 12% as a strong reason to pursue this action. This would add an additional $80 billion to the overall American economy according to Mr. Dow. See more details on this speech to the US Travel Association.

Visas To Orlando

Of interest to Floridians is the fact that many resident guests from friendly countries such as Brazil may take as much as long as 5 months to get a visa. Brazilians, residents of a robust economy,  are known to have excellent spending patterns of over $6,000 per person per trip. Expansion of the Global Entry Nexus international partnership with additional trusted countries such as Brazil is an idea whose time has come.

International travel to Orlando  has been robust despite the fact that travel convenience to the United States is not optimal. The steps the Transportation Security Administration has taken are definitely moving in the right direction. Expanding this domestic initiative as well as adding additional trusted countries to the Global Entry program would continue to help bolster Orlando and Florida’s significant share of the international travel market.