What will the future of travel and commerce at our ports of entry and at our borders look like? It could look similar to what has evolved as part of the Travel Security Administration’s (TSA) Registered Traveler program. The vast realm of new security requirements that evolved as a result of 9/11 have produced a growing industry that caters to travelers frustrated with lengthy security lines and screening checkpoints.
The private sector programs allow travelers to pay an annual fee and submit to a background check and threat assessment by TSA in order to forgo the seemingly endless rope-line mazes preceding the security checkpoints and proceed to an attendant or kiosk that would scan either their fingerprints or irises to confirm their identity and clear them to board their flight. Participants in the various Registered Traveler programs are still required to present documents like visas or passports when required. Pending the success of such programs, similar efforts could be undertaken at land and sea ports of entry with current programs such as Free and Secure Trade (FAST) for commercial drivers and Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) for cargo moving from a federally administered program toward privately run program with federal oversight.
The increased volatility in moving freight across our borders has prompted some companies to move away from best management practices, such as just-in-time delivery. These alternative solutions along with other private-public arrangements could potentially help expedite secure and efficient trade and travel, perhaps to a greater extent that is possible by the federal government alone.
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