(NAPSA)—A new idea may help to keep the high cost of airline security from showing up in the price of yourticket. It may also keep you safer. Although air travel security has improved in the past five years, it still falls short of addressing a major source of security problems and the associated costs—the baggage transported by the airlines for passengers. With approximately 1.5 billion bags transported last year by the domestic U.S. airlines, there are many compelling reasons to consider a baggage-handling proposal presented by Universal Express, Inc., a worldwide delivery and logistics company. The proposed solution involves separating the baggage from its passengers and encouraging travelers to ship their bags prior to the departure date. If you think that this alternative has been dismissed becauseit would make traveling more complicated, think again. The solution would offer passengers faster check-ins, more on-time flights and a dependable suitcase-tracking solution. Currently, 57 suitcases are lost per minute within the aviation industry. The alternative might also keep more air- lines—currently struggling with the additional costs of airline security and increased fuel prices—from facing bankruptcy. Rather than having to take baggage through the check-in points and through the security lines, passengers would have choices for shipping their luggage in advance to reach their destination in time for their arrival or carry them to the airport for transporting by plane. Sage, re Richard Altimore, expert on transporting luggage, says there’s a way to protect travelers from terrorism and rising airfares. While travelers can already ship their bags directly, more passengers doing so could result in faster service, as well as greater security via enhancedvisibility. A solution that protects travelers from terrorism may also help protect them from steeply increasing airfares and exceptional customerservice for delayed bags. Decline in passenger baggage reduces the prospect of infiltration of terrorist devices on board air- planes and reduces the chances for security breaches. Managing secu- rity measures to protect passen- gers becomes easier when baggage is separated from passengers. Since the airlines would be saving money spent on screening, the odds of having to pass a luggagescreening fee on to travelers in the form of higherairfare are reduced. The proposal could also save taxpayers money as Homeland Security could save millions of dollars and redirect the money to anti-terrorism efforts elsewhere. To find out more, visit www. usxp.com or call 866-SHIPBAGS.