"US to Introduce Fast Lane for Frequent Fliers"

Monday, June 21, 2004 Issue

Fast-Tracking Flyers
After paying a fee and submitting to an extensive background check, airline
passengers may be entitled to special security treatment
By SALLY B. DONNELLY
Time Magazine


As the number of airline passengers starts to soar with the temperature, the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is finally taking a significant
step toward speeding the security process for at least some flyers. Aviation
sources tell Time that this week the TSA will announce the launch of a
three-month trial of its Registered Traveler program, which will start at
five airports, beginning in Minneapolis-St. Paul and then in other cities,
including Los Angeles and Houston. A sort of fast track for frequent flyers,
the program aims to let approved passengers use less crowded lanes to the
security checkpoints and possibly avoid such routine security measures as
removing their shoes and coats. To gain that privilege, passengers must
submit to an extensive background check, including searches of commercial
and government databases. After being approved and paying a small annual fee
(yet to be determined), they would be issued a card-containing a biometric
identifier (a fingerprint, for example) and personal data-that shows they're
entitled to the special security treatment. 

The initiative comes not a moment too soon. Almost 200 million people are
expected to fly this summer, a 12% increase from last year, yet the
cash-strapped TSA has had to lay off thousands of screeners. Up to 15% of
passengers are still being singled out for extra screening because of
outdated parameters like buying a one-way ticket or paying in cash. The TSA
has fumbled efforts to improve the screening procedures and carry out a new
color-coded system that verifies the identity and assesses the risk of every
passenger. 

Critics of the pilot program doubt it will make the security process much
easier for prescreened travelers. But airport officials are supportive. "We
love the idea," says Tim Anderson, an executive director of the
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. "It helps move us away from
treating everyone the same and searching for the needle in the haystack."


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************