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© Googlerisk-based screening system filters passengers according to risk

Today, several officials from the transportation industry testified before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security regarding TSA authorization for fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

Air Transport Association (ATA) is the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines. ATA President Nicholas Calio expressed support for the TSA's move toward risk-based programs that provide smarter security such as Known Traveler, Known Crewmember and Known Shipper/Shipment.

ATA President and CEO Calio is not in favor of a $2.50 per passenger aviation passenger security fee, an idea entertained during discussions on ways to raise the U.S.debt ceiling,

Calio stated:
"U.S. airlines and their passengers contributed $2 billion in taxes and fees to TSA in 2010, a fifty percent increase from the amount collected in 2002. He said "Aviation security taxes and fees now constitute almost 25 percent of the industry's federal tax burden." Calio added "Aviation security costs should be borne by the federal government."
Chicago's O'Hare Airport is one of two airports currently testing the "KnownCrew" pilot program that employs new security screening measures that will (argruably) reduce security screening and allow the TSA to focus its resources on the greatest threats, simultaneously speeding up the security process for passengers, crews and cargo.

The Known Shipper and Known Traveler are the other two risk-based programs mentioned by ATA President Calio at today's hearing. The premise is the same, a "logical risk-based" screening system that involves a pre-screening process.

According to ATA, its members have met the requirement that 100 percent of air cargo departing U.S. airports be screened. However, while efforts have been made to improve inbound passenger air cargo screening, the TSA will not meet the December 31, 2011deadline according to reports. ATA officials say they are working with TSA and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) toward further risk-based screening of international inbound air cargo.

Annually, ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. The commercial aviation industry adds over $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and provides nearly 11 million U.S. jobs.