"CAPPS II: TSA to test new airport screening system"

Friday, August 1, 2003

TSA to test new airport screening system
The new CAPPS II system will offer more in-depth screening.
By Ron Reynolds
News 24, Houston (TX)


The Department of Transportation will begin early testing of a new security
system.

The proposed program, called CAPPS II, is designed to keep terrorists off
commercial aircraft. The system will also flag violent criminals with
outstanding federal or state arrest warrants.

The new security measures will check out airline travelers long before they
board the planes.

Known as the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System, CAPPS II is
primarily designed to confirm the identities of travelers who may pose a
threat.

The computer will use routine information provided by travelers when making
reservations.

Besides a traveler's name, airline agents will ask for home address, home
phone number and date of birth at the time of the reservation.

It may not seem like much more information, but the government says this is
information the high-tech computer system can use to confirm your identity.

Before CAPPS II is implemented, TSA will continue to evaluate both its speed
and accuracy, while considering what the traveling public thinks about the
plan.

"I think it's a very very good idea. I think if the government would have
started these procedures in the past, maybe we wouldn't be in the position
that we are today," said one airline passenger.

"No, I don't have a problem with it. If you're innocent and you're not doing
anything wrong, it's okay," said another passenger.

The government says most passengers will be identified as low risk and can
simply pass through ordinary screening.

Those passengers identified as elevated or uncertain risk will require a
secondary screening using a handheld wand.

High risk passengers will be directed to law enforcement.

Attached Photo:

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