Airport Alert: Efforts To Promote Safe and Health Travel Over the Fourth of July Holiday
June 30, 2020
This morning, AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli participated in a media roundtable with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske; Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO, Nick Calio; and Airports Council International - North America President and CEO, Kevin Burke to discuss how passengers can stay healthy and safe while traveling during the fourth of July holiday week.
Hauptli highlighted that U.S. airports are expecting to welcome almost 4 million passengers through their facilities over the holiday week, noting that this figure was cause for celebration compared to mid-April when fewer than 100,000 people were traveling daily. He said travelers will see many enhancements as they traverse the airport terminals based on concerted efforts by airport operators, airlines, the Federal government, and others. These enhancements are designed to provide the highest levels of health and safety protections for passengers, airport employees, and other aviation workers. All roundtable participants encouraged travelers to wear facial coverings, observe social distancing requirements, and not to travel if ill.
In response to questions about temperature checking, TSA Administrator Pekoske responded that no decision has been made by the U.S. government about whether this should be required before boarding an aircraft. Pekoske noted that temperature checking would not prevent asymptomatic passengers that have COVID-19 but do not have a temperature from flying and it might limit other travelers that have a temperature, but not COVID-19, from flying. Also, Pekoske noted that there were a number of questions and ongoing discussions about which federal agency or agencies would be responsible for this process if required, where the temperature check would occur, and how travelers with elevated temperatures would be handled. A4A stated that the airlines support the Federal government checking passengers' temperatures before they fly, noting that many major air carriers are already screening their own employees for elevated temperatures.
Following the media event, TSA issued a press release about its Stay Healthy, Stay Secure campaign, which outlined changes made to security checkpoints since the COVID-19 emergency was declared. Those include:
- Social distancing among travelers in the checkpoint line and among TSA officers.
- ID verification without physical contact between the TSA officer and the traveler.
- Plastic shielding installed at various locations throughout the TSA checkpoint.
- Increased cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched checkpoint surfaces and screening equipment, including bins.
- All TSA officers wearing masks and gloves at the checkpoint, and they may be wearing eye protection or clear plastic face shields, depending on location.
- TSA officers changing gloves after each pat-down and at the request of any passenger.
- TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags that passengers will need to remove from their bags before screening.
Beyond TSA checkpoint area changes, many airlines and airports are providing specific COVID-19 and summer travel season guidance. Participants recommended that travelers check with their local airports and airlines prior to traveling to better understand these requirements or restrictions.
