Staffing shortages and other problems plaguing the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection are forcing foreign visitors and business people to
wait in security lines of up to four hours, 40 minutes at U.S. airports,
prompting nearly half to say they will never return, according to a
devastating new analysis by the travel industry.
The waits are so long, said the U.S. Travel Association, that just
standing in line cost the nation $416 million in lost spending on
cancelled activities like car and hotel rentals, or about $47 per
visitor. Overall, the long lines at U.S. entry points at major airports,
resulting in missed connections and business, will cost the U.S.
economy $95 billion and 518,000 jobs over five years, said the group.
The USTA report revealed some of the worst peak wait times at five
major airport entry points: two hours, 52 minutes at Washington Dulles,
three hours 18 minutes at Los Angeles, three hours 45 minutes at Chicago
O’Hare, four hours 28 minutes at New York’s JFK and four hours, 40
minutes at Miami.
"The U.S. welcomed 67 million visitors last year, and far too many of
these valued customers spent the first hours of their trip waiting in
line at U.S. air ports of entry," said Roger Dow, president of the U.S.
Travel Association. "International travel is a bright spot for the U.S.
economy, but long lines and wait times that many experience during entry
are deterring millions of potential visitors while our country is
working to rebuild its global market share. The issue is not CBP
officers themselves, whom even delayed travelers regard as competent and
hard-working; the problems lie in policy and resources, which Congress
must address."
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- This site is the inspiration of a former reporter/photographer for one of New England's largest daily newspapers and for various magazines. The intent is to direct readers to interesting political articles, and we urge you to visit the source sites. Any comments may be noted on site or directed to KarisChaf at gmail.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
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