Mid-Week Industry Update

Ready to skip some major headaches at the airport? Imagine going to an electronic kiosk for all of your reentry security screening upon entering or returning to the United States. U.S. airports have begun ramping up integration of the innovative new Global Check security kiosk program. If you’re a “low-risk, pre-approved” traveler (which includes being a member of the program), you can eliminate hours of waiting by using a Global Check kiosk; no more will you endure queues and other conventional bottlenecks. Perhaps best of all, Global Check members qualify for PreCheck, a program that saves you the hassle of removing shoes, light jackets, laptops, and belts.

The timing couldn’t be better. U.S. airlines anticipate a substantial swell in travelers this summer, especially after all the inclement weather we had last winter. In fact, analysts predict some209 million people will fly between June 1 and August 31—the highest number for that period since pre-recession 2007!

In other news, here’s a great column from Buying Business Travel writer Catherine Chetwynd. This article quickly explains some key industry tenets regarding duty of care obligations: (1) Events under obligation can include everything from bad weather to disease to angry mobs, (2) everyone at a company is responsible for formulating and enforcing standards, and (3) obligations extend to all overseas employees (including locals), not just travelers.