Airline security hurting US tourism

Another gem from the Center for Really Obvious Things, but this one [1] I almost missed:

The US has suffered a sharp drop in tourism since 9/11, mainly because of concerns over tighter passport and customs controls, according to the travel industry.

It estimates that there has been a 17% drop in the US share of tourism, costing the country an estimated $1bn (£508m) in lost revenue over the past five years and almost 200,000 jobs.

snip

The Travel Industry Association of America said the number of visitors from the UK had declined from 4,703,000 in 2001 to 4,345,000 in 2005, a drop of 7.6%. UK visitors to other countries - such as Canada, Australia and China - increased during the same period. The figures are included in a document, A Blueprint to Discover America, that sets out proposals for tackling the crisis. It suggests streamlining the visa process and a major promotion campaign.

A Discover America Partnership survey of more than 2,000 non-American travellers in October and November found 66% were "worried that they will be detained for hours because of a simple mistake or misstatement at a US airport".

That’s hitting ‘em where it hurts! Seriously though, in discussions with other expats, it seems that even as citizens we all share the same concerns. Delays, unprovoked suspicion, abuse of power, etc. all seem to be common practice at the US border these days.

To be perfectly fair, aside from having to open my pants once in Amarillo National Airport (not a pleasant experience), 9 times out of 10 I make it through without any exceptional incident. Nevertheless, I feel as though I am greeted with a presumption of guilt at every entry point and constantly worry that some small slip-up will result in missed flights or worse. Honestly, if I didn’t have family to visit, I rather doubt I would choose the United States as a vacation spot when there are so many stress-free alternatives.

IMHO, I am inclined to believe that every freedom we voluntary strip from our lives is one step closer to the totalitarian utopia envisaged by vanguard al-Qaedists. Yet as annoying as all these changes are, if they actually resulted in increased security I would be in full agreement. Unfortunately, the most egregious reformations in airline security – shoe removal, triple ID checks, liquid bans, no-fly lists, fingerprinting, etc. – make nice window dressing for the doomsayers but offer approximately zilch towards making air travel more (or less) secure.

Anyway, as someone who travels often, I am interested in people’s opinions on the matter. What policies do you favor? Which are completely asinine? What would you do differently? And why the hell would the Dukes of Hazzard try to pass of Coy and Vance when everybody knows Bo and Luke are the REAL Duke brothers?

Comments

William (not verified)Thu, 2007-02-08 05:27

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

"Another gem from the Center for Really Obvious Things" Haha, I can't believe we blow millions of dollars for people to tell us the obvious. Anyway I don't have much problems at the airport, much, but I don't go places much on airplanes anyway. Though there has definitely been a huge raise in the general paranoia of the public (see the Mooninites incident) Anyway as most of us know, the airport security is just touchy feely make you feel good, you can still sneak explosives or sharp devices on a plane no problem

Jeff (not verified)Thu, 2007-02-08 05:13

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

If the government isn't doing anything wrong, it should have nothing to hide. Instead, the government is hiding everything about 9/11 and the fraudulent "war on terror." It is all a fraud to create tyranny in America. There is no good coming from turning the US into a police state - only bad. It will not make you safer, but will allow the government to have more power over your life, and allow you less privacy in your lfie. I guess Robert thinks I you've done nothing wrong, you should have nothing to hide from the gov't. I believe the American people should not have to be afraid of the government. The goverment is there to serve the people, the people are not there to serve the gov't. But that is not how the government is acting. Those who would give up freedom for temporary (false) security, deserve neither freedom nor security.... Benjamin Franklin

Jeff (not verified)Thu, 2007-02-08 04:35

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

The global elite don't care about the US tourism industry. They would just assume the dollar and US economy both sinks. We're heading into unpayable national debt, dollar devaluation, and great depression.

Robert (not verified)Thu, 2007-02-08 04:54

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

No, I think you misunderstood Jay's point. JAY doesn't care about tourism and the economy, he just hates security measures at airports because it makes him feel like a victim of fascism. Poor guy.

Arch (not verified)Thu, 2007-02-08 16:56

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

I know. If there's been a greater tragedy since Romeo and Juliet I'd sure like to hear about it.

Superman (not verified)Wed, 2007-02-07 23:38

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

well, the problem is that you need smany paper work to get here. even if your visiting for only a couple of days and your coming from morrocco or europe. i is difficult to immigrate here as well to visit. and since the officers are strict/rude, ppl get discourage and there you have it. a decline in tourism.

Moros (not verified)Wed, 2007-02-07 22:55

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

Hmm, I didn't really experience any problems when I went to the Czech Republic in 04. Security line in Seattle lasted maybe 10 minutes. Coming back in was annoying though. I got detained in Assterdamn, and the customs dude forgot to stamp my declaration form so I had to go through immigration a second time.

Bill (not verified)Wed, 2007-02-07 18:08

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

Because of the federal govt insisting that passengers be searched since 9/11, I haven't flown. I won't let those bastards search me...that's why I drive everywhere now...

Bri@n (not verified)Wed, 2007-02-07 17:55

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

For years I've been waiting for the airline industry to react to the tightened security requirments. How can it not cost them? Same goes for tourism, or even international student enrollment (down in my school). A police state is bad for business, conservatives. Looks like you can't have your fascist cake and eat it too. It's just a matter of time before the business community reacts to this garbage and brings us back to a more open society... in the name of profit!

John aka The Jester of Truth (not verified)Wed, 2007-02-07 17:43

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

JR wrote: And any determined "turrist" can simply join the hundreds of thousands who walk across the southern sieve border. Chimpy has yet to have done one thing that makes any sense. The new travel procedures are more Soviet than any other thing, which isn't surprising in the least.

Our revered President George W. Bush knows of this problem and has seriously tried to address the issue. Too bad there are so many illegal immigrant-friendly liberals out there who slow his progress. Liberals think we should all pay taxes to educate and take care of people who give nothing to our system.

JR (not verified)Wed, 2007-02-07 17:31

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

And any determined "turrist" can simply join the hundreds of thousands who walk across the southern sieve border. Chimpy has yet to have done one thing that makes any sense. The new travel procedures are more Soviet than any other thing, which isn't surprising in the least.

John aka The Jester of Truth (not verified)Wed, 2007-02-07 17:26

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

So what? Am I supposed to be sad that terrorist tourism is down in the United States? I don't want them here anyway.

Jay DaverthWed, 2007-02-07 17:54

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

terrorist tourism? so basically if someone isn't from the US then they're a terrorist?? Keep it up and see how far that kind of attitude will turn our country into an isolated, irrelevant, and 2nd rate ex democracy.

¡en tránsito! (not verified)Wed, 2007-02-07 17:22

Re: Airline security hurting US tourism

because EVERYONE is a threat in the New Amerika! if you don't like taking off you're shoes, you must hate freedom...