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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/311874
INDUSTRY INSIDER May 2014 airportbusiness 17 allows for a more effective targeting of CBP resources toward incoming foreign visitors. WHAT WOULD BE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IF THE CUSTOMS SITUATION WAS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE AS IT IS? These are not my numbers but … international visitors spent an estimated $156 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related services last year. $156 billion! The U.S. Travel Association reports that for every 33 overseas travelers coming to the United States one U.S. job is created. That is very significant in our economy. We have people coming into the United States who end up having a three-hour wait in the customs hall. These are people who spend thousands and thousands of dollars to get here but once they're here, they have a bad initial experience. That's going to leave a bad taste in their mouths and they're going to think, "Maybe next time I'm going somewhere else instead." We need to make sure that we have a system that is secure and safe, but much more accommodating and much more efficient than we've had in the past. WHY ARE AIRPORTS LOOKING TO TRANSITION FROM TRADITIONAL BADGING SYSTEMS TO IDENTITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS? It's really about using technological advances to their fullest potential, whether it's bio- metrics, facial recognition technology, and so on. Increasingly, airports are moving toward identity management systems to help not only with access control and compliance issues but also to introduce greater efficiencies in the badging process. You can save time, and you can save money, by using technology to do these things. THE MOVE TO IDENTITY MANAGE- MENT SYSTEMS SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TSA'S RECENT PUSH TO TAKE OVER THIS PROCESS? One big blinking red light of concern for airports going forward is that the TSA believes they should take over the badging process and cen- tralize the responsibilities for access control and identity management. Traditionally, this has been a local responsibility and it has worked very well. But the federal government increasingly has this, "Hey, if we don't own it, we don't control it, and we don't trust it" mentality. They would prefer a centralized process that is more like TWIC, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential. We believe a centralized approach with increased federal involvement is a big mistake because airports have been dealing with access control and security issues for decades. They know what they're doing and that fact offers an additional layer of safety and security. Buy American Compliant. ©2014 ADB Airfeld Solutions You Can't BuY It. You Don't Make It. You Have to earn It. trust. ADB has more than 65 years experience in earning your trust. Pioneering high-quality, breakthrough technologies in airfeld lighting, we provide solutions that impact millions of lives. With best-in-class service and proven customer satisfaction, ADB is the trusted choice of more than 2,000 airports in nearly 80 countries. But don't just take our word for it. We've secured preventative maintenance agreements with four of the top fve major U.S. hubs, and continue to foster relationships with many of the world's biggest airports. start building a partnership you can trust. visit www.adb-air.com today. www.aviationpros.com/10132415 airb_14-17_IndustryInsider.indd 17 5/2/14 9:38 AM