TSA and Ad Council Raise Awareness of "Secure Flight" Program as part of National Public Education Campaign

Over 195 Million Passengers Expected to Fly this Summer: Campaign Continues to Educate Travelers about Procedures at Airport Checkpoints in time for Memorial Day

To coincide with Memorial Day and the start of the summer travel season, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is joining with the Ad Council to continue their national public awareness and education campaign designed to enhance understanding of checkpoint security procedures to better prepare passengers for airport travel. The communications effort will educate travelers about new security procedures being introduced this summer as part of the Secure Flight program and remind them about the reasons behind existing requirements at security checkpoints.

"TSA is working with the Ad Council to educate passengers about the Secure Flight program, an enhanced watch list matching system that makes travel safer and easier for millions of Americans," said TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides.  "During this phase of the campaign, we encourage passengers to book airline reservations using their name as it appears on the government-issued ID they will use while traveling."

Secure Flight is a program developed in response to a key 9/11 Commission recommendation: uniform watch list matching by TSA. The mission of the Secure Flight program is to enhance the security of domestic and international commercial air travel through the use of improved watch list matching. TSA is taking over this responsibility from aircraft operators who, up until now, have been responsible for checking passengers against government watch lists. Secure Flight will help prevent misidentification of passengers who have names similar to individuals on government watch lists and will further strengthen security by continuing to identify individuals that may pose a known or suspected threat to aviation. The first phase of Secure Flight started on May 15 when the program began asking passengers making airline reservations to provide their name as it appears on the government-issued identification they will use when traveling.

The second phase of the program begins on August 15 when passengers making airline reservations will be required to provide their name as it appears on the government-issued ID they travel with, as well as their date of birth and gender. TSA's goal is for Secure Flight to be fully implemented in early 2010 for all domestic flights and the end of 2010 for all international flights. The program satisfies a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and the 9/11 Commission Act signed into law in 2007.

"This critical campaign will continue to raise public awareness about the important role that travelers play in the airport security process, while educating them about the latest security procedures through the Secure Flight program," said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. "We are proud to continue this initiative with TSA, which will make it safer and easier for travelers throughout the country."

TSA's passenger feedback shows that travelers are more willing to cooperate with airport security when they better understand the reasoning behind the measures. The campaign aims to improve security by compelling airline passengers to become better prepared for security processes, thereby resulting in a more positive experience. The campaign builds upon TSA's ongoing commitment to communicating why certain procedures and requirements are an important part of airport security. For example, the campaign explains the new Secure Flight program, as well as why travelers are asked to remove shoes and coats, limit liquids to three ounces and show their IDs.

First launched in November 2008, campaign activities have been conducted during the nation's busiest travel times. The campaign employs a series of informational videos airing in airports and online, social media strategies, as well as national radio sponsorships and public relations tactics in an effort to communicatewith the travelling public during these travel periods. All of the campaign strategies direct audiences to visit www.tsa.govto find travel tips, local airport information, and answers to your questions about airline security.

This is the first time the Ad Council has partnered with TSA on a public education effort. Since 2003, the Ad Council has been working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on the Ready Campaign designed to encourage all Americans to prepare for emergencies.

TSA
TSA is a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that was formed following the tragedies of September 11, 2001. TSA protects the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. Its 45,000 transportation security officers are responsible for airport security at more than 450 U.S. airports.

The Advertising Council
The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies in issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.

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