The office of Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., issued the following news release:
Today, U.S. Senator Schumer urged the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to expand their Pre-Check initiative, a successful frequent-traveler screening program, to Syracuse Hancock International Airport, to make frequent and business travel safer and more efficient. Pre-Check allows pre-qualified and frequent passengers to pass through security checkpoints more swiftly if they provide supplemental personal information, not required for regular security in airports, in advance of arriving. Schumer is pushing for Syracuse Hancock to be selected as an additional airport in the TSA's planned expansion of the Pre-Check program, as it is a smaller airport than current sites, and results of testing would help the TSA ensure that Pre-Check is widely applicable. Schumer stated that the Pre-Check program would improve efficiency at Syracuse Hancock International Airport and encourage business travel in and out of Central New York, all while improving safety by screening passenger information like email addresses and cell phone numbers, which are not typically required.
"As the TSA expands its Pre-Check pilot program to new airports, I urge the TSA to select the Syracuse Hancock International Airport as a test site for this successful pre-screening security program," said Schumer. "Hancock is the ideal location for the TSA expansion of this pilot program in order to ensure that Pre-Check is widely applicable to airports of all sizes, and to allow pre-screened passengers to have a safer, hassle-free travel experience in and out of Central New York each day. I am urging TSA Administrator Pistole to select Syracuse Hancock as its next test site, as it would increase safety and efficiency for vacationers and business travelers alike, all while providing a shot in the arm for the Syracuse economy."
Schumer is pushing the TSA to select Syracuse Hancock International Airport as a new test site for its Pre-Check Program, after TSA announced plans to expand the program after early success. The Pre-Check Program has been proven successful at current test locations in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit and Miami, and Schumer noted that Syracuse Hancock is an ideal location to expand testing, because the small to mid-sized airport will help the TSA ensure that Pre-Check initiative is widely applicable. In his letter to TSA Administrator Pistole, Schumer asked that this prescreening program be put to test at Syracuse Hancock, because the program would increase efficiency for and attract business travelers to Central New York, all while improving the quality of screening of those individuals. Schumer noted that officials at Syracuse Hancock believe that this program will cut travel time for frequent and pre-screened travelers in a safe manner, and would increase business travel to Central New York.
The Transportation Security Administration implemented the Pre-Check program in October 2011, and began testing a limited, voluntary passenger pre-screening initiative with a small, known traveler population at Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit and Miami airports. The TSA Pre-Check initiative implements a key component of the agency's intelligence-driven, risk-based approach to security. This pilot program helps assess measures designed to enhance security by placing more focus on pre-screening individuals who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying in order to potentially expedite the travel experience. The Pre-Check program works through the partnership of American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and Schumer noted that both airlines fly in and out of Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
Eligible passengers, after completing the prescreening process, may be referred to a lane where they will experience expedited screening. TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening. TSA's multi-layered approach to security also includes behavior detection officers, explosives-detection systems, canine teams, and federal air marshals, among other measures both seen and unseen.
As part of the agency's risk-based security initiative, TSA is in the process of testing several other new screening initiatives, including a program designed to provide positive ID verification for airline pilots and the use of expanded behavior detection techniques, in addition to the recent changes in screening procedures for children.
A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to TSA Administrator Pistole appears below:
November 10, 2011
Hon. John Pistole
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, Virginia 20598-6002
Dear Administrator Pistole:
Some of the most frequent concerns I hear from my constituents come from their experiences at airports. Dealing with intense security screenings, they say, is understandable but not always convenient. This is why I was pleased to learn of the recent pilot program by your agency to pre-screen frequent flyers. This is a fair and efficient way to make airline travel a better experience for everyone while keeping the skies safe and secure. I believe the Pre-Check program has a great deal of potential and I look forward to wider implementation as its expansion takes off.
Pre-Check is currently being piloted at four airports nationwide, in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, and Miami. While testing cannot happen everywhere, it should take place at an additional airport, perhaps a smaller one. By doing a trial of this program at a small to mid-sized airport, the Administration will gain more insight on how to develop this program to fit airports of all sizes in all parts of the country. I write today to ask the Transportation Security Administration to add the Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York.
Through expanding the pilot program to the Syracuse airport, the Transportation Security Administration, its agents, and its leadership will understand an important perspective in aviation. Through improving the travelling experience, small to midsized airports, such as Hancock International, become more competitive, lower costs and attract new airlines serving new destinations. Your consideration on this issue is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
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