Proposed federal regulations that would change the nature of charter travel potentially could have a significant impact on NCAA member institutions that use charter travel during the regular season, and on teams using charter travel during NCAA championships participation.

In August, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published a notice in the Federal Register that would change guidelines for charter travel, essentially applying security measures for commercial airlines to charter planes.

The TSA's Private Charter Security Program calls for charter passengers to go through the same security screenings as everyday travelers. The requirements would force most private charter users and fixed-base operators to fly from commercial airports.

Specifically, the rule would require aircraft operators using planes with a minimum certified take-off weight of 95,000 pounds (most NCAA charters exceed that weight) to "ensure that individuals and their accessible property are screened before boarding." Typically, charter passengers board planes on the tarmac and do not go through security screenings.

The proposed change would require charter passengers to be screened by TSA personnel, which would radically alter boarding procedures. In fact, under the proposal, the number of airports that could accommodate charters would be drastically reduced from the current number of about 5,000. Only about 430 are projected to be able to accommodate the changes by the proposed effective date of December 1.

Other ramifications of the proposed regulations could include:

Charter flights would operate only during normal airport hours, dictated by the first and last departing commercial flights at each airport.

Charter availability would be dramatically reduced since many airlines are available for charter only after their commercial schedule is over. Southwest, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest, United, US Air and Continental likely would be impacted the most.

Most NCAA football and basketball charters would not be able to depart until the day after competition.

Charter costs would increase (limited equipment, additional ferrying, additional personnel for terminal check-in, etc.).

Other costs may increase (additional hotel nights, additional ground transportation costs, additional per-diem).

Representatives from several professional leagues, including the NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB, along with the Division I-A Athletics Directors Association, have petitioned the TSA for relief. After the comment period on the proposed regulations ended September 30, the TSA acknowledged the uniqueness of sports-team charter flights and has indicated it will develop "a final security program that accommodates the unique characteristics of charter operations and effectively addresses aviation security" by October 30. The TSA said that charter operators would have until December 1, 2002, to implement that final security program.