Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Increasingly Aligned with the Interests of U.S. Travelers

From Hospitalitynet.org

WASHINGTON – Following record-breaking air travel over Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Travel Association along with Ipsos released survey results underscoring traveler preference of biometric technology screening to keep air passengers safe and provide greater efficiency at airport checkpoints.

By overwhelming margins, air travelers support TSA’s use of biometric technology at airports to strengthen security and improve the travel experience. Travelers embrace next-generation technology at the same time a small cadre of members of Congress seek to take air travel back to the Dark Ages. Further efforts to harm the travel experience by forcing antiquated approaches upon travelers will have consequences among voters. Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO

Key findings include:

• The majority of air travelers (79%), Americans (78%), Democrats (80%), and Republicans (76%) support the use of biometrics at TSA security checkpoints to confirm the identity of travelers.
• Nearly all Americans (92%) and air travelers (95%) agree that verifying traveler identity is an important measure taken by TSA to protect the flying public.
• Nine in 10 air travelers say they would be more likely or equally likely to support biometric use at TSA security checkpoints if it reduced the typical time it takes to get through security.
• Supporters of TSA biometrics primarily list stopping terrorism and human trafficking (71%) and making airports safer (66%) as their reasons for supporting biometric use at TSA security checkpoints – even above travel efficiency and wait times.
• More than half of Americans say they are more likely to support the use of biometrics at TSA security checkpoints knowing the data would:

• Be deleted within hours of the completed trip,
• Be used to stop terrorism,
• Have safeguards in place to ensure biometric data is not shared with other government agencies.

These results emphasize the important work of our Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, which is closely examining the use of biometrics to strengthen security, improve the passenger experience and protect privacy, Freeman added. Given the decade of major global sporting events announced for the United States and knowing a vast majority of travelers prefer biometric screening, Washington must act to fund and widely utilize this technology at our nation’s airports to welcome and process millions of people who are expected to visit in coming years.

U.S. Travel’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, chaired by former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, has embarked on a year-long study to improve U.S. global competitiveness and increase travel security and efficiency. A report and recommendations are expected this fall.

USA, September 24, 2024 – James Earl Jones is an American actor and voice artist, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in American history. Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi, he is known for his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence.

Here are some key highlights of his life and career:

Childhood:  Jones experienced a challenging childhood; he developed a severe stutter as a child and was nearly mute for years. It wasn’t until high school that he began speaking regularly, and his interest in acting helped him overcome the stutter.

Education: He attended the University of Michigan, initially studying pre-med but later switching to drama and focusing on acting.

Acting Career

Stage and Film: James Earl Jones made his mark on both stage and screen. His Broadway performance in The Great White Hope, (1969) earned him a Tony Award and led to an Oscar nomination when he reprised the role in the film adaptation in 1970.

Iconic Roles:

Voice of Darth Vader:  Jones is perhaps most famously known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, a role that has cemented his place in pop culture.

Mufasa in The Lion King:  He provided the voice for Mufasa in Disney’s animated classic The Lion King (1994) and reprised the role in the 2019 live-action remake.

Other Notable Films

His extensive filmography includes roles in movies like Field of Dreams (1989), Coming to America (1988), Cry, the Beloved Country (1995), and Patriot Games (1992).

Why we call him an EGOT winner

(Emmy, Grammy, Oscar & Tony Awards)

Jones has won multiple awards, including Tony Awards, Emmy Awards and an Academy Honorary Award in 2011 for his lifetime contribution to film.

He was also awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002.

Personal Life – Jones was married to actress Cecilia Hart from 1982 until her death in 2016, and they have one son together, Flynn Earl Jones.

Though he is renowned for his powerful voice, Jones also speaks fondly of his struggles with speech as a young man and how acting helped him overcome them.

James Earl Jones’ versatility as an actor and the depth of his performances have earned him a place among the most respected figures in Hollywood.

Jones passed away on Monday September 10, 2024 surrounded by his loved ones; no cause of death was disclosed and James Earl Jones was 93 years old.

September 11, 2024 – The September 11 attacks, often referred to as 9/11, were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda on the morning of September 11, 2001. Here are some key points about the events and their aftermath:

1. **Overview of the Attack:** – On that day, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners. – Two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, were flown into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. – A third plane, American Airlines Flight 77, was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. – The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was headed for a target in Washington, D.C., but crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control.
2. **Casualties:** – Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the attacks, making it the deadliest terrorist act in world history. – The victims included civilians from over 90 countries, first responders, and military personnel.
3. **Immediate Impact:** – The attacks led to widespread panic, destruction, and a significant loss of life. – The World Trade Center towers collapsed as a result of the impacts and subsequent fires, leading to further casualties and destruction in lower Manhattan.
4. **Global Response:** – In the wake of the attacks, the United States launched the War on Terror, which included military operations in Afghanistan aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban regime that was harboring them. – A multitude of security measures were implemented domestically and internationally to prevent future attacks.
5. **Long-term Consequences:** – The events of 9/11 led to significant changes in U.S. and global security policies, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. – The attacks also resulted in increased scrutiny and changes to immigration policies, travel regulations, and data collection practices under the USA PATRIOT Act.
6. **Cultural and Political Impact:** – The attacks deeply affected American society and led to widespread public grief and a surge of nationalism. – They have continued to shape U.S. foreign policy and domestic politics for years, leading to ongoing debates about civil liberties versus national security.
7. **Memorialization:** – The National September 11 Memorial & Museum was established to honor the victims and educate the public about the events of that day. – Annual commemorations take place to remember those who lost their lives and the impact of the attacks on families and communities. The 9/11 attacks remain a pivotal moment in modern history, influencing global politics, security policies, and public consciousness in profound ways.

From ChatGPT