Government Relations
Media Brief – June 23, 2009
CONTACT:
Caleb Tiller, +1 703-684-0836 ext. 138,
Nicole Hayes, +1 703-684-0836 ext. 133, nhayes@nbta.org
NBTA Urges Government to Sustain Registered Traveler Program
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) today expressed disappointment to learn that the primary Registered Traveler (RT) vendor Verified Identity Pass, which operates the CLEAR Registered Traveler program, yesterday ceased operations. NBTA urges the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. airlines to revitalize the RT program to provide greater efficiency and security to business travelers.
Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP, NBTA President & CEO, said:
NBTA has supported the Registered Travel program since before its inception and has pushed for improvement and expansion over the years. We believe this program allows for strong, safe travel and alleviates burdens that can hinder productivity while on the road. As the program’s primary provider ceases operation, we urge TSA, in cooperation with U.S. carriers, to keep the program alive and make certain it becomes a true risk-management tool for secure and efficient air travel.
NBTA is hopeful Verified Identify Pass will responsibly and effectively address the security of personal data with its subscribers, many of whom are NBTA members. We extend our support to RT travelers throughout the nation and stand ready to facilitate concerns and adjustments as they arise.
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and corporate meetings organization. NBTA and its regional affiliates – NBTA Asia Pacific, the Brazilian Business Travel Association (ABGEV), NBTA Canada, NBTA Mexico and NBTA USA – serve a network of more than 15,000 business travel professionals around the globe with industry-leading events, networking, education & professional development, research, news & information, and advocacy. NBTA members, numbering more than 4,000 in 30 nations, are corporate and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers. They collectively manage and direct more than US$200 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually on behalf of more than 10 million business travelers within their organizations. For more information, visit www.nbta.org
May 12th - Information Bulletin
SECURE FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Article from Business Travel Executive Magazine:
Airline Passenger Bill Of Rights Resurrected
Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-California) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have introduced the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights in the Senate. The bill, similar to legislation that has been pushed aside by the Bush administration, will have a better chance of passage under the Obama administration, says Kate Hanni, head of FlyersRights.org. Obama was a co-sponsor of the previous bill.
The bill would give passengers the right to leave a grounded plane after three hours on the tarmac. Airlines would have to provide food, potable water, comfortable cabin temperature/ventilation and adequate restrooms while a plane is delayed on the ground. Also, airports and airlines would have to develop contingency plans to be reviewed and approved by the Department of Transportation.
A national task force, commissioned a year ago and populated by consumer groups and the aviation community as well as government representatives, issued its report in November. That 58-page report (issued by what is officially known as the "National Task Force To Develop Model Contingency Plan To Deal With Lengthy Airline On-board Ground Delays") includes contingency plans for responses by airlines, airports and government agencies in the event of lengthy tarmac delays.
From: "Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen" [nj11reply@mail.house.gov]
Sent: 05/15/2009 04:10 PM AST
To: Sheri Bonsall
Subject: Responding to your e-mail
Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to S. 463, the TARP Taxpayer Protection and Corporate Responsibility Act of 2009, introduced by Senator John Kerry (MA). I appreciate having the benefit of your views, as I share them.
As you know, S. 463 would prevent any recipient of funding under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) from sponsoring, hosting, or paying for entertainment or holiday events during the calendar year in which such assistance is received or the next occurring calendar year.
While I believe that companies which receive taxpayer dollars should cut costs and focus on returning to commercial viability, I certainly understand the impact such legislation would have on the travel industry.
S. 463 has not been acted upon by the Senate. While similar legislation has yet to be introduced in the House of Representatives, I certainly will remember your opposition should this bill ever be brought to a vote.
Again, thank you for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Rodney Frelinghuysen
Member of Congress
P.S. To sign up for my e-newsletter, or to learn more about issues before Congress, please visit http://frelinghuysen.house.gov/.
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