With the United States, Canada and the European Union driving aviation security policy, there is an opportunity to preserve limited resources. Doing so necessitates increased collaboration and coordination between governments, and the need to develop mutually recognized security standards and screening technologies. As an example, the European Commission sets aviation security standards but many European Union countries impose additional measures, creating an uneven patchwork that perplexes even the most seasoned traveler. In many cases, passengers and baggage must be re-screened when crossing international borders.

In Europe, airports – not the government(s) – provide almost all the aviation security operational costs. Indeed, 29 percent of airports operating costs and 41 percent of airports staff are security related. With security costs increasing exponentially, there is even more need for a coordinated approach to aviation security.

As aviation traffic continues to grow, we need a risk-based aviation security system that uses available data to more effectively balance customer service and detection. Information is available at multiple points that can be readily utilized to help focus limited security resources on those about which the least is known. Following the roll out of TSA’s Risk-Based Security initiatives, the European Commission has accepted the idea of risk-based security and has embarked on an industry-government working group to develop a model. Similarly, in Canada aviation regulators have embarked upon a risk-based program to streamline the security process for travelers enrolled in the Nexus program.

In needing to plan for the future aviation security system that harnesses the risk-based strategy, the International Civil Aviation Organization has established a Next Generation Screening Checkpoint Technical Advisory Group. ACI, in partnership with other aviation organizations, and regulatory authorities is participating on the advisory group to design a future system capable of maintaining the appropriate level of detection while increasing efficiency and reasonable costs, so that it is sustainable in the long term.

Exactly one month has passed since certainty in our national aviation system was placed into question.  Aviation is a source of pride for our country; especially at OAK where history was made with legendary flights across the Pacific.  In this global economy, the U.S. must continue our legacy as the best aviation system in the world. The efforts to modernize our infrastructure and be competitive in the future will suffer if there is no assurance for the foundation today.  It is important that we transport our operations and infrastructure into the next generation with a plan for funding beyond September 16.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Barbara Boxer have understood firsthand the impact at OAK and called  for short and long-term solution to the FAA Re-authorization. This week,  Senator Boxer was joined by Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Port of Oakland Commission President Pamela Calloway, Executive Director Omar Benjamin,  Port Commissioner Victor Uno and local labor leaders at a press conference at OAK. They refocused attention on the serious impact at OAK and on our nation as a whole.

Construction stopped on a $31 million FAA air traffic control tower. This modern, green facility, which took 10 years to plan and secure funding, will replace two towers that were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. The new 236 foot-tall tower will give air traffic controllers a better view of OAK’s 2,500-acres and will help improve airport efficiency as a consolidated tower operation.

Project delays resulted on Oak’s  Runway Safety Area Enhancements.  This critical program,  requires continued FAA participation, action, and funding to meet required milestone deadlines.  We all know how a single day can make the world of difference when it comes to progressing a safety project.

Stoppages to these projects represent not only delays in the progress of improving our nation’s airports, but loss of jobs for our nation’s economy.  The FAA partial shutdown forced 74,000 workers nationwide off the job. 60 of these were construction workers that were told not to report to work on OAK’s new control tower for two weeks. The Bay Area’s unemployment rate is over 10%. Our region cannot sustain this level of layoffs, whether temporary or permanent.

Recalling these construction workers back to work has been no easy task. Shutting down a project for over two weeks, during prime construction season, is no way to build a $31 million state-of-the-art air traffic control tower. As of last week, the project was operating with 90% of personnel.  Efficiencies were lost as some new workers were brought in and trained. Specialized equipment had been dispatched to other projects.  The project is slowly returning to full momentum. But, at what cost…

The San Francisco Bay Area is the fifth largest air service market in the United States. OAK, which is owned and operated by the Port of Oakland, is an economic engine for the Bay Area and is the airport closest to most Bay Area businesses and residents. OAK creates some 14,000 jobs through our airline and cargo carriers, concessions, and the many major construction projects underway at the airport. It is important that we continue to be a reliable gateway for Bay Area travelers, but also a reliable source for economic impact and jobs creation.

Let’s work together to bring back certainty to our national aviation system. Let’s allow the Aviation Industry to do what the American people need it to do, especially here in the Port-City of Oakland – create jobs and infrastructure critical for our country to be the center of global commerce.

Thanks to the efforts of a great many people, we have averted an extended FAA shutdown through the peak of the construction season.  During the two-week limited FAA operations, Houston faced the immediate cessation of work on our new TRACON facility and an installation project for runway status lights — both key projects.  Once completed, our new TRACON will control air traffic over 16,000 square miles of airspace, handling 900,000 individual aircraft operations.  The state-of-the-art equipment will facilitate implementation of NextGen technologies, further securing Houston’s position as one of the world’s safest, secure and accessible airport destinations.  The new facility is the product of a decade of planning by both the FAA and Congress, and it was very troubling to see the construction site go silent as the shutdown occurred. It’s in the public’s interest for airport infrastructure projects to move forward.

In addition to concerns over ongoing projects and the impact on workers, the considerable uncertainty regarding restoration of full FAA operations gave us grave concerns about the potential impact of a long term shutdown, (including about damage to the aviation trust fund). We are relieved and appreciate the recent action for the extension bill.  I can’t thank our Congressional delegation enough for their stellar support and their efforts to help bring this about, and I’m especially proud and appreciative of Houston Mayor, Annise Parker, for her impressive leadership to secure a resolution.

However, the events that led to the shutdown and what they portend for the future are especially troubling.  Knowing that the contentious issues related to long term FAA authorization remain, we are very concerned that in just a few weeks we may be back to the situation we faced a few weeks ago.  It’s essential that we all keep up communications with our respective Congressional delegations and urge them to make passage of a long term reauthorization bill a top priority when they return to Washington after Labor Day – after all, there will be only a few days remaining before the recently passed extension expires.  Given the advance planning requirements that are a fact of life at airports, we cannot go on functioning efficiently and effectively when funding availability is always in crisis mode.  I hope that all airports will join me and ACI-NA in helping to push through a long term bill when Congress returns.

Achieving that would give us some short term relief and some breathing room.  It’s clear a new world order has arrived. We’d better start dealing with the current and future realities.  Most importantly, airports need to start taking greater charge of their own financial destinies, in recognition that whatever happens in Congress, we cannot assume that adequate federal funding will be available.  The writing is on the wall; if anyone needed further evidence of that, the recent downgrade of the United States’ credit provides certain proof.

Where do we go from here?  How do we achieve true self-sustainability?  It won’t happen overnight. We need to start planning for it now.   It’s essential that everyone understands and appreciates the critical role that airports play in the local, regional, national and international economies.

In Houston, our three airports are responsible for nearly 231,000 jobs and have an economic impact on our region of $27 billion.  But how often do you hear a (non-airport) person talk about how much they appreciate the opportunities that airports create?  Overall, airlines have done a better job than have airports in helping people understand the value they create – want to visit the Caribbean for some R&R? XYZ airline will take you there. Want that package there overnight?  XYZ express carrier will have it delivered in the morning.  But those trips could not take place without the extraordinary facilities that airports (and our terrific employees) provide – and those facilities also create jobs, help send construction workers home with paychecks, support small businesses, and send ripples of economic benefits locally, regionally, nationally and globally.

In Houston, our airports are truly a gateway to the world for passengers, shippers and the global business marketplace – from just IAH alone nearly 175 international and domestic destinations are reachable nonstop – the options available are extraordinary.  Our metropolitan area is so large that if it were a state it would rank as the nation’s 19^th largest. Houston’s region’s GDP is larger than that of 85 percent of the world’s countries.  It’s in significant part because we are a dynamic global gateway that Houston and Texas are leading the nation’s economic recovery.  As the fastest growing metro area, we are blessed with the nation’s largest employment gains; the highest retail employment growth since the recession; more manufacturing jobs; and the highest level of entrepreneurial activity. We’re located at the heart of a state that ranks #1 in multiple economic indicators, including most new jobs, the largest increase in population, and the strongest economy.  Our airports are essential players in enabling the global reach of our community and in these strong economic indicators.

And, large or small, to a degree every airport in the country also serves as that essential gateway to the world. It’s time we spread that message and enhanced the overall understanding of just how critical airports are to the health and growth of our communities and our economies.  Houston is here to support all other gateways as the largest hub for the largest airline in the world and our nation’s airports depend on each other to connect the traveling public.

America needs to start looking differently at the degree of allowing airports to control their own funding.  Airports have long labored under burdensome restrictions that hinder our ability to achieve true financial self-sufficiency.  We all understand the need for certain restrictions, and of course safety must always be paramount.  If future federal funding is severely limited; we need to have the tools to have more local control over our own affairs.  We need to preserve the aviation trust fund and ensure that it is used effectively.  We need to revisit the fundamentals of our relationships with the federal government.  We need to forge new partnerships with our airline colleagues and our investors and contractors.  We need to restructure and enhance our options on airport privatization, and create a new vision that fits into and benefits from our new world order.  Our nation is in crisis and our airports have a key role to play in jump-starting the recovery.  For that we’ll need an effective Congress, a robust FAA, long term reauthorization, and plenty of creativity on the part of airports.

Let’s all work hard in the coming weeks to get long term reauthorization addressed effectively and quickly, and let’s also start devoting our energies to a new airport vision for the future.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport was more fortunate than many of the airports in the U.S. Aviation System because we did not have to halt or delay our AIP funded capital improvements. However, there were impacts in the area of payments. We, like other airports, were affected by the temporary shutdown of the FAA’s automatic ECHO payment system. The eligible AIP grants for capital improvement projects at Armstrong International amount to over $40 million dollars. At the time of the shutdown, over $10.5 million had yet to be dispersed to the airport. Upon FAA’s impending shutdown, they announced to the airports that existing AIP

payments would continue to be made through their automatic ECHO payment system for an undetermined time period. The automatic payment system came to a halt in August as did our payments.  Had the shutdown continued, this could have had the potential to do two things to our airport:

1. Payments to contractors for our ongoing AIP projects might have been disrupted.

We are grateful our nation’s leadership did the right thing and passed the 21st short term FAA extension that returned thousands of people to work.  It is unfortunate that the aviation system suffered a two-week shutdown of FAA and approximately $400 million in lost revenue before it was accomplished.  It is also unfortunate that thousands of FAA personnel and many contractor employees and others associated with delayed projects had their livelihood so adversely impacted.

Tucson Airport

It is absolutely imperative that Congress resolve their differences and pass a long term bill to fund FAA which will keep critical aviation infrastructure projects going and workers employed when they come back from their recess.  The system cannot afford another shutdown.

The impact to Tucson is that Tucson International Airport is awaiting a final grant to begin a $10 million reconstruction project involving its crosswind runway and associated taxiways.  This project has a critical path schedule due to weather and operational constraints.  Further delays in receiving the remaining grant would result in missing the construction window and delaying the project start until next year.  In addition, this project is expected to employ approximately 50 high-paid construction personnel.  At Tucson’s reliever airport, Ryan Airfield, the shutdown has delayed the purchase and installation of emergency standby generators, which will protect the tower, airfield, and landside from disruption of power.  Several planning projects in various stages were shut down due to FAA personnel furloughs.  Additionally, the environmental work that had just begun on a replacement for TUS’ aging Air Traffic Control Tower was suspended.

As we await the summer recess for negotiations to begin again, we ask that Congress consider the losses that have already occurred and come together on a new FAA reauthorization measure that removes the constant uncertainty for long-term operations.

Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director, Los Angeles World Airports

When I spoke at a luncheon of the Aero Club of Washington two weeks ago, I spoke about the great work we’re doing to improve LAX, as well as the looming failure of our nation’s system for funding aviation infrastructure.  Three days later, Congress underlined my woeful prediction by failing to take care of the simplest of needs, failing to take an action that it managed to do twenty times since 2007 and failing to pass an extension of FAA authorization.

I would like to applaud Senator Barbara Boxer for being a champion for airports on the Senate floor and asking her colleagues to do what was simple and necessary – approving a clean extension of the FAA authorization bill.  I’d also like to thank the Senator for hosting a conference call last week with a large number of aviation stakeholders to learn how this impacts the nation on many levels.  Federal employees were not working, contractors were shut down, and revenues for aviation infrastructure were being waived off to the tune of $200 million per week.

In Los Angeles, construction work proceeded as planned, but the shutdown presented challenges for the airport.  Key FAA employees were furloughed, and we were not able to get resolution of certain regulatory, engineering, and planning issues that were confronting our construction crews.  As the shutdown continued, the situation grew more problematic.  It could have delayed our starting key runway lighting and taxiway projects that are essential safety elements of our construction program.

And it’s not just airport projects that were impacted.  The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is in the final stages of designing its light rail Crenshaw Line.  Because the Crenshaw line crosses the ILS glide slope just outside the airport boundary, Metro has been working with FAA engineers to agree on a design and specifications that will allow Metro to build a light rail line that complies with FAA’s safety requirements.  FAA staff furloughs brought these discussions to a standstill at a key point in Metro’s design process, and this public transit project risked falling off schedule.

While the Senate has now just passed the House extension, it’s clear we will be facing the same seemingly intractable political tensions in mid-September, when the newly passed extension expires…again.  This is the time for airports, airlines, manufacturers and labor interests to collectively craft a new funding structure that is predictable, sustainable and minimizes continued vulnerability to politicizing the core stability of this industry.

Even though I had never met Ben, I felt like I already knew him through Facebook, where I can follow some of his travels and find out that we went to the same college (Go Penn State!).  The panelists discussed how tools like Facebook and Twitter can provide that same familiar experience to passengers, the community, and anyone interested in the airport.  These tools allow an airport to interactively engage with the public on a continuous basis, so coming to the airport will feel like visiting a friend instead of knocking on the door of a stranger.

Nick Bilton with Hardy Acree

He also discussed the importance of smart content and hyper-personalization, noting that “everything will be personalized in the future.” Bilton outlined a time in the not too distant future where a passenger will arrive at the airport and download content to his mobile device from a website. He will expect the website to recognize which news articles he may have already read, the fact that he does not care about sports or that he only wants a short summary of the articles.

The latest neurological research, showing that human brains were actually built to multitask, which is included in his new book, I Live In The Future & Here’s How It Works, was also covered.  Answering the criticism that multi-tasking may not be productive, he said, “the ability to engage in two tasks at the same time depends entirely on what the tasks are”.  (Bilton reminded us that people have multi-tasked for years.  For example, in the 1940’s people listened to the radio while reading books. No one worried then.)  Also, that research shows that the brains of children who have grown up with technology and videogames can more quickly process information and have increased attention spans, as well as better eye-hand coordination.

Bilton reminded airport representatives that “technocondria”- the fear of new technology- has been around since the invention of the telephone. He urged airports to embrace technology, remembering that new generations of travelers “pay for experiences, not content.” Build on platforms that will be around such as Facebook and Twitter, he suggested. “Take one step and build experiences on these bigger platforms because people have invested in them,” Bilton said. The important thing is to build communities around specific experiences at the airport.

Engage in the conversation — share your thoughts here or on Twitter. Many of you gave us an instant review during Bilton’s presentation.

Prep work for the terminal expansion.

The terminal expansion (137,000 square feet) will nearly double the size of the existing building, provide three new gates and allow them to double the number of security lines (from 4 to 8).  The new gates are needed in order for Portland to be able to attract new carriers, so they can continue to provide a variety of schedule and fare options to the 1.8 million passengers who pass through the jetport annually.  The roadway to the terminal is being reconfigured and when complete will provide separate approaches to the terminal for arriving and departing passengers.   Finally, the expansion will give Bradbury the room to install an inline baggage handling system, which was purchased using the $9.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding they received from the Department of Homeland Security.

Work underway on the geothermal heating system for the expanded terminal.

Construction is also underway on a $3 million geothermal project that is estimated to reduce oil consumption at PWM by more than 100,000 gallons per year, which in turn will reduce energy costs by an estimated 80 percent.  The Federal Aviation Administration provided $2.5 million through a Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) grant for the project.  Once completed, 500 gallons of fluid per minute will circulate through 11 miles of plastic tubing to heat and cool the new terminal addition.  The project is expected to pay for itself within three years through energy savings.

As if there weren’t enough hardhats to be seen at PWM, they are also in the process of completing work on a de-icing fluid recapture facility which will recycle used aircraft deicing fluid.  The funding for this project, $2.138 million, also came from the stimulus bill.

The new de-icing fluid recapture facility will enable the fluid to be recycled.

Bradbury estimates that directly and indirectly the jetport supports more than 11,500 jobs and contributes $860 million to the regional economy.  The expanded terminal, the cost conscious new energy source and the environmentally friendly deicing facility should serve as a reminder to Southern Maine that the Portland International Jetport takes it role as a key economic driver seriously.

“ACI-NA has been urging DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and predecessor agencies for a number of years to eliminate the burden on travelers of completing the paper I-94W form, as CBP already receives the passenger data electronically. Eliminating the I-94W form makes it easier for passengers traveling to the United States and enhances the security of personal information—a win for travelers and the U.S. Government. We welcome DHS’s efforts to improve the travel experience and recommend that it also eliminate the I-94 form for nonimmigrant passengers with visas.”

Click here to read more.

Disney World is renowned for its ability to evoke fantasy and wonder in the young and old alike.

But according to Meg Crofton, president of the Walt Disney World Resort, the magic begins when travelers enter the airport.

“Your business and mine are closely linked,” Crofton said in an April 27 keynote presentation at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, the setting for the 2010 ACI-NA joint conference of the Business Information Technology Committee, Operations and Technical Affairs Committee and the Public Safety and Security Committee.

Crofton said one the reasons Walt Disney chose Orlando for the park was the lure of the McCoy Air Force Base—now the Orlando International Airport—which had the promise of becoming a major gateway.

Crofton offered valuable insight into Disney’s exceptional treatment of their guests, which could certainly apply to airports.

To create “memories that last a lifetime” staff—or “cast members,” as they are referred to—go above and beyond with customer service and attention to detail. It is part of Disney’s value chain, where great leadership leads to excellent customer service, resulting in guest satisfaction and, thus, growth and profitability.

Crofton said Disney does it with the license to dream and encouragement of like-minded individuals.

Quoting Walt Disney, she said: “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world…but it requires people to make the dream a reality.”

Attendees spent most of Thursday discussing the merits and disadvantages of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs. Airports, both small and large, shared some ideas on how to get started using these tools and how to perfect their usage. Some takeaway tips include:

• Use www.Hootsuite.com to schedule tweets during weekends and non office hours.
• Strive for 100 Facebook users to earn a personalized URL.
• Tap into www.mashable.com to guide the social media n00b (Twitter slang for “newbie”)

In addition to the numerous discussions on social media and a helpful NextGen 101 session from ACI-NA’s Chris Oswald, the attendees had the opportunity to learn about the best ways to communicate during a crisis. Some tips from the experts include:

• Stay in your lane to ensure accurate information is distributed.
• Utilize interviews—in addition to social media outlets—to disseminate information.
• Hold a press conference in a controlled environment

Finally, the seminar closed with an upbeat presentation by media trainer, Dr. Joe Trahan. A few brave attendees were put in the spotlight in front of their peers for an on-camera practice interview. Some of Dr. Trahan’s recommendations for a spotless interview include:

• Prep one hour for every one minute of interview.
• Use the 27-9-3 rule when crafting sound bytes: 27 words, 9 minutes, 3 messages.
• Speculating is not okay; saying you don’t know is okay.

Most of the seminar presentations can be found on ACI-NA’s website. Click here to access the agenda and PDF versions of the presentations. Pictures of the event will be posted soon on ACI-NA’s Facebook page.

Also, by popular demand, click here to access the Socialnomics YouTube clip that appropriately kicked off the seminar. Social media skeptics: consider yourself warned.

Thanks to all of the speakers and participants that made this seminar a success. And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube…

On Thursday, Jan., 14, less than 48 hours after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, news hit in Pittsburgh that two sisters, Ali McMutrie and Jamie McMutrie Heckman, were desperately seeking help for the children they were taking care of from the BRESMA orphanage in Port-au-Prince. The sisters, Pittsburgh-area natives, had sent text messages describing the direness of the situation and they feared for the welfare of more than 100 children.

By Friday of that week local officials had swung into action and a plan to rescue 54 of those orphans and Ali and Jamie began to take shape. Through the combined efforts of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, Allegheny County, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Republic Airlines and many other local hospitals and charities, a plane loaded with 4,000 pounds of relief supplies and a contingent of emergency medical staff left Pittsburgh International Airport at approximately Noon on Monday, January 18.

Once the aircraft arrived it would be given one hour to unload the aircraft and then board the children for the return flights to Pittsburgh. Apparently that almost didn’t happen. Meanwhile, back in Pittsburgh, officials were working hard to make sure their plans were set.

So much of that planning at Pittsburgh International Airport, however, depended on how the flight was going to arrive. It was known that the flight would land in Florida, refuel, and head to Pittsburgh. It was also known that first leg of the flight would be on a military aircraft. But after that, the questions were abundant:

• Would the children clear Customs and Immigration in Florida or here in Pittsburgh?
• Would they be landing in Pittsburgh on a military aircraft or a charter?
• If it were a military aircraft, which of the two bases at Pittsburgh International would the flight arrive?
• Would a charter pull into our gates or head to our FBO?
• What about the condition of the children and the 30-degree weather?
• Where would we put the press?
• Do the Governor and the Congressman want to have a press conference at the airport?
• If so, where do we park satellite trucks for the Today Show and CNN?
•
Finally, after numerous delays, it was determined that Republic Airways would bring the aircraft to our cargo area where our Operations Staff, Fire Department, and Police Department – along with the Department of Homeland Security and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services we able to safely move the children from the aircraft, to buses and then on to the local hospital.

Meanwhile, the Governor, Congressman and Hospital Official, and one of the sisters were transported to the FBO, for a press conference.
Certainly it was a hectic day. The uncertainty – or fluidness – of the situation created obstacles. However, through it all the Pittsburgh International Airport community knew that it was making a big difference in the lives of 54 children and two incredible sisters that day. It was that common belief that truly made this mission a success.

For pictures of the plane’s arrival at Pittsburgh International Airport, go to www.FlyPittsburgh.com.

The Airport Mall in the Lindbergh Terminal at MSP.

At this time each year, airports are going the extra customer-service mile by reaching out and connecting with their communities. As a result of the airports’ efforts, passengers can enjoy a little extra holiday cheer, and give a little back in return.  Whether it is local choirs making appearances at airports across North America to sing holiday favorites, or seeing the big jolly fellow in the red suit, airports go that extra mile to offer time to reflect on the season.

In Jacksonville, local school groups will show off their musical talents for all airport passengers to enjoy. Also, a Christmas tree contest invites travelers to vote on their favorite tree with a $1 donation that will benefit Dreams Come True.

And in Washington, D.C., the National Christmas Tree will pale in comparison to the trees at MWAA’s Reagan National and Dulles. Students from the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland will make their own ornaments creating a “Winter Wonderland” that even the most harried of passengers will stop and appreciate.

Serving passengers is not just a holiday trend for airports; airports serve passengers throughout the year. ACI-NA recently surveyed airports for its 2009 Concessions Benchmarking survey:

• Airports know their passengers: The majority of airports surveyed have updated passenger data in the last 2 years.
• 2/3 (66%) of the airports conduct customer satisfaction studies.
• Half of the airports (51%) require minimum staffing levels for concessions.
• Airports establish standards to maintain quality concession programs. The top three concession monitoring programs:
  - Airports must approve changes in service hours
  - Airports conduct facility inspections
  - Airports conduct routine meetings with concessionaires

Airports are not just depots for travelers to just sit and wait, they offer passengers an opportunity to optimize their time by shopping for those holiday gifts while waiting for their next flight. Airports are the faces of their communities and sources of philanthropy and optimism. Check back with Centerlines Blog for more examples of how airports are on the ‘nice list’.

For pictures of holiday events and specials at airports throughout North America, check out ACI-NA’s Facebook page.
-Brett McAllister, CFO

Simple steps such as wearing the right shoes, having your ID ready, and following the 3-1-1 rule were among the tips that can help facilitate a smooth security screening process through the airports, Sec. Napolitano said.

The secretary also said that TSA’s new Secure Flight program is now being implemented with airlines to fulfill a 9/11 Commission recommendation. Secure Flight prescreens passenger name, date of birth and gender against government watch lists for domestic and international flights, making travel safer and easier by keeping known or suspected terrorists from obtaining a boarding pass, she said.

Safe traveling “is a shared responsibility,” the secretary said, adding that “part of safe traveling is the ability to stay healthy.”

With that, the secretary introduced Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Schuchat unveiled the CDC’s Travelers’ Health public awareness campaign on how to stay healthy during the flu season. The campaign comprising posters at airports and seaports; media buys in radio and television outlets; and social media activities; centers on four key messages:

• Travel only when you feel well
• Get your flu vaccine
• Wash your hands often
• Cover your coughs and sneezes

The CDC campaign will run throughout the 2009-2010 flu season.