Travel Security Update.

For more safety & security news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jun 19, 2006

Airport reactions mixed to TSA's Registered Traveler program. Business travelers are often in a hurry to get through an airport and on to their flights. The Transportation Security Administration believes the Registered Traveler program will reduce waiting in security lines. However, managers of some airports, including Boston's Logan International, do not believe there is enough interest in the program to implement it. Jun 16, 2006

US Homeland Security Dept. said airlines are withholding $14.5 million per year from the Transportation Security Administration, according to press reports. The money is supposed to come from the $2.50 charge levied to passengers for each leg of a flight. TSA said it plans to audit airlines to ensure it receives the money. Jun 16, 2006

Airlines underpaid security fees to TSA. Airlines are underpaying the Transportation Security Administration's security fees, according to the Homeland Security Department's inspector general. The inspector general recommended that the TSA determine an amount owed and collect it. Jun 15, 2006

DHS recommends TSA resolve fee issue with carriers. Airlines are underpaying the Transportation Security Administration's security fees, according to the Homeland Security Department's inspector general. The inspector general recommended that TSA determine an amount owed and collect it. "While we do not dispute the right to collect, we fundamentally disagree with TSA's implementation," the Air Transport Association said in a statement. "We look forward to this matter being resolved either before the agency or in the courts." Jun 15, 2006

TSA says risk from long lines at LAX is "gone forever". Transportation Security Administration officials say they have eliminated long security lines at Los Angeles International Airport. "We have not had a buildup of security lines outside of our terminals as we have experienced in the past," Larry Fetters, TSA federal security director at LAX, wrote. "I believe that particular security risk is gone from this airport, forever." City officials are skeptical of the claim. Jun 15, 2006

DHS will review bids for systems to defend airplanes. Officials at the Department of Homeland Security this month will review proposals for ground-based and aircraft-based defense systems. The systems would protect commercial jets from shoulder-fired missiles. Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are competing for possible contracts. Jun 14, 2006

Feds seek to clarify employers' role in worker ID checks. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed new regulations outlining the steps businesses need to take if a worker's name and Social Security number don't match government records. Businesses that follow these rules would be granted a "safe harbor" -- and would not face prosecution -- if later they were found to have hired illegal immigrants. Jun 14, 2006

Countries accelerate development of security technology. Many countries are quickly developing security technology to protect themselves from potential terrorist attacks. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is introducing two pieces of security software to 89 airports, for example. Jun 13, 2006

Visa offers Registered Traveler discount to some cardholders. Selected Visa cardholders will receive discounted memberships in the Registered Traveler program. Visa didn't elaborate on the amount of the discount. The Air Transport Association is urging airports not to adopt the Registered Traveler program, saying it does not offer many benefits. Jun 13, 2006

Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines pilot detained in Sidney, Australia. Tran Van Dang, co-pilot of a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777 flying from Sidney to Ho Chi Minh City, was detained when he was preparing to board the plane at Sidney airport on June 4. The Australian customs found that Mr Dang was carrying US $500,000 with him without declaration. According to Australian laws, carrying a large amount of money out of the country without declaration is against the law. Mr Dang was then brought to the court of Sidney, pending trial.Vietnam Airlines said it had not been able to contact Mr Tran Van Dang. It contacted the Vietnamese Consulate in Sidney to help monitor the case. Jun 13, 2006 Waco Regional Airport 

Next time you pass through Waco Regional Airport, smile. Someone may be taking your picture. Aviation Daily reports a company called Advanced Digital Imaging Research is collecting some 10,000 images of passengers to develop and test face recognition software. For those paying attention, the camera is mounted on a magnetometer. Here's one of those things that's not obvious to frequent flyers, but it sure helps keep the bad guys at bay. Jun 12, 2006