Special international in-transit programs suspended

FA Mikey

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2003

HOMELAND SECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF STATE

TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO MAKE

AIR TRAVEL EVEN SAFER

Special international in-transit programs suspended

WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State today suspended two programs that allow certain international air passengers to travel through the United States for transit purposes without first obtaining a visa. The programs, known as the Transit Without Visa program (TWOV) and the International-to-International transit program (ITI), have been suspended. The action takes effect at 11:00 a.m., Saturday August 2, 2003. (Note: All times are U.S. EDT). This action does not affect U.S. citizens or citizens from visa waiver countries.

Homeland Security issued instructions to all airlines to no longer allow passengers to utilize these transit programs. Homeland Security agencies are also taking additional steps to increase security at airports and on airplanes that normally transport and process passengers under these programs. These new measures are in addition to significant increases in aviation security implemented since September 11 such as reinforced cockpit doors, deployment of federal air marshals, enhanced federalized baggage and passenger screening and armed Federal Flight Deck Officers piloting some jetliners.

It is the intention of both Departments to reinstate the TWOV and ITI programs as soon as additional security measures can be implemented to safeguard the programs from terrorists who wish to gain access to the U.S. or U.S. airspace without going through the consular screening process. Officials have already begun this process of identifying possible steps that could be taken to further secure the transit programs. Homeland Security and the Department of State are soliciting comments from the public about the action and will reassess the suspension over the next 60 days after reviewing the responses. Current intelligence will also be a factor considered when deciding to re-implement the program.

Recent specific intelligence indicates that terrorist groups have been planning to exploit these transit programs to gain access to the U.S. or U.S. airspace without going through the consular screening process. The steps announced today are designed to augment security against possible terrorist threats and to protect U.S. citizens and foreign nationals who fly into and out of the United States.

“Our number one mission is to protect Americans and American interests from the threat of terrorism and we realize that terrorists aim to exploit our vulnerabilities and freedoms,â€￾ said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. “The steps announced today, while aggressive, are an appropriate response to the threat. We know they will have an impact on international travelers, but we believe they are necessary in order to protect lives and property.â€￾

Homeland Security and State will make three exceptions to these actions to accommodate travelers who may be immediately impacted. The three exceptions are: 1) TWOV or ITI passengers in flight at the time the regulation goes into effect will be allowed to continue in transit and depart the U. S. subject to inspection and an evaluation of risk. 2) Travelers who purchased their tickets as TWOV or ITI passengers on or before July 24, 2003, and who are scheduled to depart for transit through the U.S. before 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, August 5, 2003, need not obtain a visa to transit the U.S. For any flights scheduled to depart after 12:01 a.m. August 5 that include a stop in the U.S, however, these travelers must now either obtain a visa or change their travel itinerary to exclude a stop in the U.S. 3) If a person has already traveled through the U.S. as a TWOV or ITI passenger on the first leg of their trip, and uses the return portion of their round trip ticket before 11:00 a.m., August 9, 2003, they will be permitted to make a stop in the U.S. without a visa on the return portion of their trip. They will be processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors upon arrival in the United States. If they plan to transit the U.S. after that date and time, however, they must either obtain a visa or change their return itinerary to exclude a stop in the U.S.

The Transit Without Visa program has been in use in the United States since 1952. It applies to passengers who normally would be required to obtain a visa to travel to the United States. Under the TWOV program, passengers arriving in the United States from a foreign country are permitted to travel through the United States to another foreign destination without first obtaining a visa to stop and change planes in the United States. Passengers under the TWOV program go through the full border inspection process upon arrival in the U.S. Under the TWOV program, a passenger may stop at one or two U.S. airports en route to another foreign destination. If on a domestic flight to a second U.S. airport, the airline is responsible for ensuring that the passenger does not illegally enter the United States. Airlines provide contract security escorts and are required to maintain control of the passenger’s passport and other travel documents.

The International-to-International transit program also allows passengers arriving from foreign countries to transit through the United States to another foreign destination without first obtaining a visa. Unlike the TWOV program, however, ITI passengers may only transit through one airport, and they may not leave the international transit lounge while connecting planes at that airport.

In 2002, the top five countries from which TWOV passengers arrived in the United States were Brazil, Mexico, Korea, the Philippines, and Peru. The greatest number of TWOV and ITI passengers transited the U.S. through airports in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Dallas and Houston.

Homeland Security agencies involved in this action include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Transportation Security Administration. They will work closely with airport authorities, airlines and state and local law enforcement to implement this new policy.

Last year AA flew over 93,000 TROV passengers. This will hit us hard. There are alot of people who used to use this service from Brazil, Argentina, Dominican Republic to name of the largest users of this service.
 
What are the alternatives for passenger from S. America? To Europe there are the flights from Brazil over Dakar, if necessary, or the Azores etc.

How about to Asia, Tijuana up the coast to Vancouver and then Asia?

I thought that all passengers on all flights entering the US had to be vetted for security. What difference does it make if the passengers hang around the scurity waiting room before boarding an ongoing flight?
 
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On 8/3/2003 10:57:31 AM j7915 wrote:

What are the alternatives for passenger from S. America? To Europe there are the flights from Brazil over Dakar, if necessary, or the Azores etc.

How about to Asia, Tijuana up the coast to Vancouver and then Asia?

I thought that all passengers on all flights entering the US had to be vetted for security. What difference does it make if the passengers hang around the scurity waiting room before boarding an ongoing flight?

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If we could just excelerate the growth of the United Nations and do away with all borders, then this silliness could go away.
 
Until now, I was under the mistaken impression that such passengers were not allowed outside secure international transit lounges at their connecting airports in between flights.

According to an article in today's Los Angeles Times, that was not the case:


THE NATION
U.S. Grounds Two 'Visa Waiver' Programs


From Times Wire Reports


The Transit Without Visa, which began in 1952, permitted passengers who need a visa for entering the United States to stop at up to two U.S. airports and change planes for another foreign destination without a visa.

Those travelers went through normal border inspections, and the airlines were responsible for making sure those passengers who take a domestic flight to a second U.S. airport do not enter the country illegally, by holding onto the person's passport and providing an escort to the next flight.


[url="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-security3aug03,1,1392695.story?coll=la-headlines-nation"]http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...eadlines-nation[/URL]


Does not sound very secure to me.
 
Since its a government requirement, there should be a govt person with them and not an airline person. We have enough to keep track of without worrying someone is getting into the country illegally. (Ever try to keep an eye on a UMNR while trying to work? And they usually obey you....) Or just make everyone required to have a visa get one, then if they dont continue on they are here legally until their Visa expires which could be the length of the time until their next flight.....
 
Seems to me like the Homeland Security folks found a loophole and are trying to plug it quick. Based upon the information we've seen, this would be an appropriate response.

I also agree that government agents need to take responsibility for babysitting these passengers while they're in transit. It is not only an added burden for airlines to be made responsible for it, it seems inappropriate. The airlines should not be responsible for these kind of security issues, the government should. I thought that was something positive that came out of 9/11 -- everyone pretty much agreed that the government was the party that should be responsible for our security, not airlines and other private businesses.

Marky

PS -- BTW, whatever happened to that Alzheimer lady who went to pee at DFW while changing planes and that was the last her disabled husband ever saw of her?
 
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On 8/3/2003 11:34:20 PM MrMarky wrote:

PS -- BTW, whatever happened to that Alzheimer lady who went to pee at DFW while changing planes and that was the last her disabled husband ever saw of her?

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The husband retained Johnnie Cochran and obtained a settlement from AA and DFW for his "loss." AFAIK, she was never found.
 
The Washington Post's explanation of the program:


One program called "International to International" allowed a
foreigner to fly, for example, from Rio de Janeiro to London with a
layover in Miami without obtaining a U.S. visa. Upon arrival in
Miami, the airline would be responsible for ensuring that the
passenger made a connecting flight departing the United States. A
second program, called "Transit Without Visa," allowed foreigners
to take a U.S. domestic flight before leaving the country.
 
I am under the impression that airlines have to submit a passenger list to the TSA before the plane deprats for US territory. So they would know who is aboard, that is or was one of the problems with Saudia and the Saudi Govenrment they apparently ignore(d) that demand.
 
The flight to Madrid had anywhere from 35 to 75 transit with out visa passengers. All flights to the DR, Brazil, and Argentina carry 10 to 20 as well. If they cannot trasit thru the US anymore with out a visa. It is lost revenue for us as these people use other countries and carriers. Some will go through the hassle and some will not. If getting a Visa for the US is anything like what I go through to get one for that POS country France. I dont blame them for looking to by pass the us all together. I am all for closing all the loop holes. I hope it doesn't hurt us too bad though.
 
Hoe will the killing of this program effect AA at Miami with people traveling from northern south america to Madrid or London? or any other int'l to int'l at MIA.
 
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On 8/5/2003 8:30:30 AM FA Mikey wrote:

The flight to Madrid had anywhere from 35 to 75 transit with out visa passengers. All flights to the DR, Brazil, and Argentina carry 10 to 20 as well. If they cannot trasit thru the US anymore with out a visa. It is lost revenue for us as these people use other countries and carriers. Some will go through the hassle and some will not. If getting a Visa for the US is anything like what I go through to get one for that POS country France. I dont blame them for looking to by pass the us all together. I am all for closing all the loop holes. I hope it doesn't hurt us too bad though.

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American Airlines is estimating losses in the millions because of this. I believe $12M in loss revenue. This sucks, though thankfully, this is only in affect for 60 days (though, of course, that can change).
 
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On 8/5/2003 10:52:24 PM MAH4546 wrote:


American Airlines is estimating losses in the millions because of this. I believe $12M in loss revenue. This sucks, though thankfully, this is only in affect for 60 days (though, of course, that can change).

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It might suck, but the government obviously fears the current program creates some sort of risk to homeland security. Having more planes hijacked and people killed would suck more.
 
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On 8/6/2003 12:12:14 AM s80dude wrote:

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On 8/5/2003 10:52:24 PM MAH4546 wrote:


American Airlines is estimating losses in the millions because of this. I believe $12M in loss revenue. This sucks, though thankfully, this is only in affect for 60 days (though, of course, that can change).

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It might suck, but the government obviously fears the current program creates some sort of risk to homeland security. Having more planes hijacked and people killed would suck more.

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The program has been around since 1951 or so with no problems at all. The US government still gets a list of everyone flying on these aircraft and whose connecting. There is no reason someone should pay 100$US for a visa when they are only going to be here for a few hours. In the end, only .7% of MIA's traffic is "transit without visa" (with AA and IB carrying the bulk), so its not that big of a deal, but I still personally disagree with it.