Tasteless and tacky ... ads in airport security trays (AP/CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Travelers nationwide could soon see ads for laptops, expensive cars and other products in the trays that carry their shoes and cell phones through X-ray machines at airport security checkpoints.

After a six-month test in Los Angeles, the federal Transportation Security Administration was expected to formally issue guidelines Thursday to vendors that want to offer the ads at other airports.

Under the plan, ad companies would pay fees to airports and provide the TSA with millions of dollars worth of trays, tables and other non-electronic items used at the security points.
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Michael Boyd, an airline security consultant, said it was a mistake for the TSA to get involved with advertising schemes when it should be concentrating on safety.

"It's a stupid idea," Boyd said. "We have bigger things to worry about than putting advertisements in shoe bins."


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http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/01/11/airport.security.ads.ap/index.html

[sakabatou]

1. Airlines must REALLY be strapped for cash

[Divernan]

2. Airlines won't see a penny of it - it will go to the airports

"Under the plan, ad companies would pay fees to airports and provide the TSA with millions of dollars worth of trays, tables and other non-electronic items used at the security points.

In return, advertisers get to hawk watches, laptops and cell phones in a place where travelers regularly stash such items of their own."

Given how grim the atmosphere of the security lines can be, people could have subconscious negative associations with the products advertised. I have to really concentrate to remember to hang on to my boarding pass while remembering all the other rituals, and I don't want to be distracted by advertising.

On edit: What would be great would be if small bottles of water were given to everyone who clears security - and they could have ads on the labels - "This water courtesy of (name of advertiser).
That would score big points with me!