TSA Pilot Program To Speed Up Airport Screening

WASHINGTON -- A few lucky frequent flyers will start whizzing through airport checkpoints next week under a pilot program that federal security officials hope will lead to shorter lines for most airline passengers while allowing screeners to focus on real, intelligence-based threats to aviation.

In a move announced earlier this summer, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will launch a "known traveler" program at four airports where Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have hubs: Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta and Detroit. Under the pilot, the airlines will ask a few thousand of their best customers to sign up for a faster screening process.

"We are looking at how to expedite the screening process for travelers we know and trust the most, and travelers who are willing to voluntarily share more information with us before they travel," said TSA administrator John Pistole at a recent conference on aviation security since the 9/11 attacks. "Doing so will then allow our officers to more effectively prioritize screening and focus our resources on those passengers we know the least about and those of course on watch lists."

Selected passengers must volunteer to go through a pre-screening process, which may include giving up tons of personal information as well as biometric data that includes fingerprints and iris scans. If they pass, the information will be embedded in the bar code on their boarding pass the next time they travel and they will be directed to a special, faster lane. Passengers will not know in advance if they are eligible for expedited screening,

The pilot program also will include certain members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's trusted traveler programs. More than one million pre-approved international travelers have signed up for pre-screening, paying $100 for five years for the privilege of getting through customs without the usual hassles.

While the "known-traveler" test is free for now, similar fees are expected if the program is expanded to other airlines' frequent flyers and hubs.

"Travel history and travel patterns are good indicators," Erik Hansen of the U.S. Travel Association recently told MarketWatch. "If somebody is taking a business trip three times a week from Pittsburgh to New York three weeks every months, then that's probably a good indication that person doesn't pose a threat."

Not that such a person -- who is likely to be older and more affluent than less-frequent travelers -- should expect that being asked into the program is entry into an "entitlement club," as the TSA website puts it. Nor, said Pistole, should they assume their days of standing in long security lines are over.

"Nothing will ever guarantee expedited screening," Pistole cautioned earlier this month. "Passengers will always be subject to random, unpredictable measures."

Comments

[extrader]

06:22 PM on 10/04/2011

The airlines are going broke because many people are limiting their air travel in response to invasive privacy intrusions and the TSA has finally realized that they're screening themselves out of a job.

[tamuarchman]

01:00 PM on 10/04/2011

Honestly? So someone bides their time and makes it through the program to avoid all the regular checks most of the population will have to endure THEN they put their plan into action to get something on a plane. What total morons thought this up? Yeah, paying $100 will guarantee their honesty and devotion to the United States. All this when it's been shown the TSA agents still allow dangerous items through on a regular basis.

[Elizabeth Conley]

09:20 AM on 09/27/2011

Make it go away. Sign the petition at White House . gov:

http://www.travelunderground.org/index.php?link-forums/sign-white-house-peitition-to-abolish-tsa.120/

Thanks.

[bynddrvn5]

08:23 AM on 09/27/2011

So air travel will just be a nightmare as opposed to a fantastic nightmare. I know one guy who drives from Los Angeles to Phoenix on a regular basis because of one too many bad experiences flying. He doesn't even do this to save money, he bought a car just for this trip!

My favorite is the "tips" I get from TSA agents on how to get through the line faster. They apparently don't understand that while the overall process is the same, there are many differences on what each airport wants to look through.

Flying is an absolute nightmare, I always bring my laptop and plenty of stuff to keep me occupied in the absurd amount of time it takes to get through security.

[Vegan Girl]

08:21 AM on 09/27/2011

Perhaps this is a step in the right direction. But from what I see, this is liberty and justice for sale.

[Donns]

07:21 AM on 09/27/2011

So by paying $100.00 it makes me a safer international traveler?

[abbraxus]

07:51 AM on 09/27/2011

No it wouldn't.. However the other screening they do to add you as a known traveler allegedly would.

[mzrecycle]

08:06 AM on 09/27/2011

All the extra screening to qualify as a known traveler PLUS the fact that the person flies regularly in predictable patterns that indicate it's work related. It's unlikely a terrorist would establish a regular flying activity for months or years, then apply for the known traveler status and give all sorts of personal info just to be able to blow up a plane.

[Vegan Girl]

08:22 AM on 09/27/2011

Yupp. And if you invest a million in the USA, you become so safe, even patriotic, you get an immediate green card.

[WhatDaBleep]

05:31 AM on 09/27/2011

Every time a congressman travels they should have to go through the same screening as Americans do.

[Donns]

07:21 AM on 09/27/2011

And the point is???

[WhatDaBleep]

10:22 AM on 09/27/2011

They put the laws into effect, so they should face the same humiliation that they make all Americans go through.

[tonewheel]

08:27 AM on 09/27/2011

True. They're the biggest threats we face as Americans!

[rjhuntington]

04:52 AM on 09/27/2011

TSA = Tyranny Subduing Americans

[tonewheel]

08:28 AM on 09/27/2011

Thousands Standing Around.

[sierraseven]

04:17 AM on 09/27/2011

"random, unpredictable measures"

The only thing random and unpredictable about TSA is the possibility of encountering a competent TSA agent. Field tests have been able to get dozens of simulated weapons through screenings.

[ramal]

02:55 AM on 09/27/2011

TSA= Thousands Standing Around.

[yoyodyne666]

02:07 AM on 09/27/2011

"While the "known-traveler" test is free for now, similar fees are expected if the program is expanded to other airlines' frequent flyers and hubs."

So I have to pay to give up my information, DNA, semen, stool sample, iris scan...... This is awesome, sign me up, do they take amerikan express?

[yoyodyne666]

02:01 AM on 09/27/2011

Would they like a sperm specimen as well, shouldn't be to difficult. It could be obtained during the grope session .....

[tonewheel]

08:28 AM on 09/27/2011

It's the only sex I get.

[yoyodyne666]

01:45 AM on 09/27/2011

Tons of bio-metric data !!!!!!! Iris scans???? You've got to be kidding, and this improves safety how? They already have your name and boatloads of data that has been mined on you.

They want to speed things up, try something simple like opening all the lines, or not having us take our shoes off.

To me it does not matter, I go thru the short employee line, and I pity others who can't.

[osofar]

03:41 AM on 09/27/2011

What if you are a tall employee?

[bagelmart]

01:43 AM on 09/27/2011

It's not about the money. Really, it's not!

[craig asia]

01:41 AM on 09/27/2011

Just another way to let the rich guys through without inconvenience. Just like the congress which was exempted months ago. Just like the charter flights which never had the same security.
As Americans, we should demand equal treatment under the law. THIS IS BS!

[mzrecycle]

08:11 AM on 09/27/2011

There are a LOT of average Joes and Janes who fly regularly for business. These road warriors aren't sitting in First Class.