(NAPSA)—Last year, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spent $1.45 billion on baggage screening. Although security is important, the screenings have resulted in frustratingly long lines at bag- gage check-in and huge expenses for airlines already financially strained by therising cost of fuel. While no one would dispute the importance of screening, there may be other alternatives. Richard Altomare, CEO of Universal Express, Inc. (OTCBB:USXP), has encouraged discussion on this idea and has come up with a promising solution. Rather than take baggage through check-in points, passengers planning a trip can use a new procedure to ship their luggage in Using a new shipping procedure offers potential benefits for the government, airlines, mass transit and travelers. Deprive terrorists of the advance. The luggage would reach chance to cause human carnage. arrival. Passengers would still have an opportunity to take the baggage to the airports with them and in an land Security, which could be redirected to protect the mass transport network. e Speed up the movements of their destination in time for their isolated area. The solution workslikethis: Separate the baggage from the passengers and encourage travelers to ship their bags prior to the departure date. Allow the U.S. Postal Ser- vice, along with 4,000 parcel carriers, to handle baggage that is cur- rently carried by the airline industry. According to Altomare, this solution would achieve the following objectives: e Increase security for the traveling public and encourage moretravel. e Increase security for mass transportation. Reduce the cost of Home- passengers and baggage handling in terminals. * Create new jobs in the private sector, particularly in the transport and travel industries. e Increase revenues for airlines on baggage that is still broughtto the airports. e Airlines will use less fuel, have faster turnaround times and less baggage handling costs. Realize lowerairfares. The solution could generate benefits for the federal govern- ment, airlines, mass transit and the traveler. For more information, visit www.usxp.com or call 866-SHIP- BAGS.
