Long security checkpoint lines are not only tedious; they
also may be dangerous for business travelers. While authorities have
strengthened security to prevent atrocities onboard aircraft, attackers have
adapted to targeting the areas before security checks, sometimes referred to as
a "soft target" given the large number of travelers present in one
area.
Metal detectors, bag searches or restricted movement like we
see at government buildings and military installations are antithetical to the
open flow of people, goods and services in a society with free commerce. You're
not going to see these things at shopping malls and other public places, but
transportation systems are different.
Airports are a mix of both public and secured areas, and
attackers have identified this vulnerability as one ripe for its symbolic
impact, which paralyzes movement, but also for the opportunity for mass
casualties, the visual impact and the ability to claim credit. We have seen all
of this recently in Brussels and Istanbul.
The natural response from European countries has been to
tighten airport security, which could only lengthen security lines, leaving
people waiting longer at these vulnerable airport spots.
How Can Corporations Better Protect Their Travelers?
A lot of violence has been seen in developed markets lately,
which garners attention because these
have been heralded as "safe nations" that didn't seem to require a
lot of risk management planning. Corporations need to reassess risk estimations
and encourage travelers to take some responsibility for their own safety. No
matter where they are traveling, business travelers need strong situational
awareness.
Understand the Security Environment: The sending
organization has a duty-of-care responsibility to protect its travelers. The
organization must understand the security threat level, foreseeable risks and
the environment to which it's sending travelers, including departure areas. The
company also needs to provide training to travelers if they're going to an area
or a market that requires an in-depth security assessment.
Be Adaptable: People have routines. Frequent
travelers have itineraries, clients and destinations they visit regularly. It's
important, however, for travelers to take a fresh look at how they prepare for
and approach travel. This includes allowing enough time to accommodate delays
that result from enhanced security screenings. It also includes considering travel
basics, like packing to be nimble and understanding the time needed to navigate
the terminals, to ensure they can move efficiently to a secure area should the
need arise.
Expedite Processes: Travelers should always have
proper documentation in order before traveling. Ensuring passports are valid
can help expedite movement through the airport, as can programs that facilitate
quicker immigration, customs and security screenings like TSA PreCheck and
Global Entry. All of these should be considered far in advance of departure.
Bleisure Traveler Safety
Many progressive organizations are building into their
training and awareness programs core skills, competencies and behaviors for the
leisure parts of their itineraries. It's not terribly difficult to leverage a
well-grounded travel management process to incorporate safety aspects for both
portions of a trip.
There's also an advantage for the organization.
When you think about good places to work, one of those things that resonates
with employees, especially Millennials, is: "Wow, they're willing to
provide this oversight and training for me even though I'm on my own time."
It's a form of non-cash engagement for employers to build into their total
compensation mentality: Doing the right thing for their staffs.
Establish Communication Paths: The sending
organization should have a mechanism to communicate with travelers quickly and
concisely in the event of an emergency. A welfare check is the most basic and
desirable resolution, but organizations must also be prepared to give guidance
and/or deliver on-the-ground assistance to travelers in a crisis.
Of course there are cost implications for all these
processes, and corporate travel managers
need to justify their choices. If they're going to set certain polices and
conditions around employee travel, those must be grounded in a good
understanding of the security landscape so the policy is flexible and fungible
to reflect rapid shifts in the environment or a "different kind of normal"
from country A to country B.
Corporate travel managers should look at travel
patterns, travel frequency and business destinations, and then map that against
the corporation's exposure level and traveler population. The organization can
then make choices around smart investments to protect people moving through
those markets. Clearly, these safety programs benefit outbound travelers, but
it becomes a conversation not just about security, but also about convenience
and time management. At the end of the day, that benefits everyone involved.