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GBTA Testifies at House Homeland Security Subcommittee Hearing, Addresses TSA PreCheck Program and the Economic Impact of Travel Ban

Today, I testified on behalf of GBTA at a hearing held by the Homeland Security Committee’s House Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security. The purpose of the hearing, Addressing The TSA Checkpoint: The PreCheck Program and Airport Wait Times, was to examine both TSA, GAO, and private sector stakeholder perspectives relating to the TSA PreCheck program, as well as the agency’s airport wait times mitigation strategy going into the busy Summer travel season.

GBTA Statement on House T&I Committee Hearing on Airline Customer Service
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GBTA Statement on House T&I Committee Hearing on Airline Customer Service

In light of recent incidents, we are seeing some positive developments with changes in policy related to denied boarding compensation and operational use of security personnel. However, something that was clearly missing from today’s House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on customer service was the voice of the business traveler. We do hope to see…

DHS’ Steve Yonkers Updates GBTA Legislative Summit Attendees on Real ID

DHS’ Steve Yonkers Updates GBTA Legislative Summit Attendees on Real ID

Steve Yonkers, Director of Identity and Credentialing, Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Policy, Screening Coordination Office spoke about REAL ID issues at the 15th Annual GBTA Legislative Summit, an event that brings more than 100 travel professionals to Washington, D.C. to meet with lawmakers to share opinions on key issues. Yonkers provided background on…

GBTA Statement on President Trump’s First Address to Congress
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GBTA Statement on President Trump’s First Address to Congress

On Tuesday night, President Trump delivered his first address to Congress. In his address, he said he will be asking Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1 trillion investment in the infrastructure of the United States — financed through both public and private capital — creating millions of new jobs. The Global Business Travel…

Stronger Together: GBTA Urges Policymakers to Keep Visa-Free Travel Reciprocity in Place Between Europe and the United States
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Stronger Together: GBTA Urges Policymakers to Keep Visa-Free Travel Reciprocity in Place Between Europe and the United States

GBTA has long supported and advocated for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in the United States, which allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without obtaining a visa for stays of up to 90 days for business or leisure, but not for employment, study or residency. By making it easier for…

Week in Review
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Week in Review

Congress approved a short-term spending bill earlier this week avoiding a shutdown and keeping the government running through December 9. GBTA was pleased to see language included that will allow TSA to continue to fund increased personnel, however, a long-term solution is necessary. Travelers crave price transparency, according to Christopher Elliott in a USA Today…

GBTA Pleased TSA Funding Language Included in Continuing Resolution
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GBTA Pleased TSA Funding Language Included in Continuing Resolution

The Senate filed a Continuing Resolution (CR) today that would keep the government running through December 9 of this year avoiding a government shutdown on October 1. The CR includes the following language on funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): GBTA is pleased to see this language included, which will allow TSA to continue…

Potential Return of Long Security Lines Loom Large If Changes Aren’t Made
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Potential Return of Long Security Lines Loom Large If Changes Aren’t Made

This spring as the busy summer travel season approached, long security lines at airports were becoming a serious issue. People were being asked to arrive at the airport earlier and earlier as wait times continued to swell. An influx of funding, collaboration between TSA with airports and airlines and increased enrollment in TSA PreCheck helped…

Addressing Security, The Economy and The World Today
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Addressing Security, The Economy and The World Today

*The following speech was delivered today at GBTA Convention 2016.* Security The world is a dangerous place. Using our best efforts as a society, we try to protect all of our global citizens from acts of terrorism. But in a world of 7.3 billion people, we will never fully succeed despite all of our best…