"Fees to fuel 'trusted traveler' program"

Monday, October 10, 2005

Fees to fuel 'trusted traveler' program
By Thomas Frank
USA TODAY 


Airports, security companies and the federal government are mobilizing to
launch the first nationwide program that speeds "trusted travelers" through
airport security.

So far, the Registered Traveler program run largely by the Transportation
Security Administration has been tested at just six airports, but the
program is getting ready to expand to any airport that wants it. Registered
travelers can move through checkpoints more quickly because they've passed a
background check.

On Friday, Congress paved the way for the program's expansion by approving
the Homeland Security Department's request to charge people fees for
background checks. Without that authority, Registered Traveler would have no
money.

Airports are preparing for the department to publish guidelines that will
let them set up their own Registered Traveler programs. Minneapolis-St. Paul
International and Phoenix Sky Harbor airports are taking steps to hire
companies to run their programs and make biometric ID cards, which allow
enrollees into expedited security lines.

Other interested airports: San Francisco, Philadelphia, Denver, Boston
Logan, and Reagan National and Dulles International near Washington.

"Half a dozen will jump in fairly quickly," says Tim Anderson, deputy
executive operations director at the Minneapolis airport.

A group of 53 airport authorities are writing standards for the biometric
cards and card readers so a registered traveler who signs up at one airport
can use the program at other airports. The TSA is deciding how to implement
the program, spokeswoman Amy Von Walter says. The agency is discussing what
security procedures will be used and how much they'll cost.

TSA's former acting deputy administrator Thomas Blank said in June that
registered travelers might not have to remove their coats and shoes or take
laptops out of cases when they go through metal detectors. Blank said the
fee would be $30 to $50.

The TSA says Registered Traveler can improve security by allowing airport
screeners to focus on passengers who have not cleared background checks.


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