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Subscribe to RSSStarting this fall, long airport security lines could be a thing of the past for some eligible frequent travelers.
The Transportation Security Administration on Thursday outlined plans to roll out a pilot system in coming months that would allow select air travelers to qualify for expedited screening.
Initially, only Delta Air Lines passengers flying through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airports and American Airlines passengers traveling through Miami International and Dallas Fort Worth International airports will be eligible. Some members of U.S. "trusted traveler" programs -- Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS -- will also be eligible.
TSA will extend the program to include other major U.S. carriers -- United, Southwest, JetBlue, US Airways and Alaska -- as well as other airports when ready.
"These improvements will enable our officers to focus their efforts on higher risk areas," TSA Administrator John Pistole told a group of aviation stakeholders. "Enhancing identity-based screening is another common sense step in the right direction as we continue to strengthen overall security and improve the passenger experience whenever possible."
TSA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection are partnering to run the program. The two agencies, along with airlines, will determine eligible travelers. Selected travelers must be U.S. citizens and must agree to supply additional information about themselves.
The U.S. Travel Association applauded the announcement. "While this program will be limited at the outset, it is a strong start. We look forward to working with TSA to move our nation's air travel security away from today's one-size-fits-all approach," Roger Dow, president and CEO of group, said in a statement.
News of the pilot program came on the heels of a government report showing vulnerabilities at U.S. airports, including more than 25,000 security breaches over the past 10 years.
Currently, travelers who want expedited screening have limited options. CLEAR, a company that provides biometric identity verification, offers a fee-based subscription where travelers can supply background information and get a biometric card that allows them to bypass security lines. CLEAR's service is currently offered at Denver International and Orlando International airports, though CLEAR President J. Bennet Waters says the company is negotiating to expand into other airports.
TSA's pilot program is an important, giant step in what is likely going to be a lengthy process, Waters told msnbc.com.
In a statement, he added: "We strongly support TSA's vision to focus more on identifying bad people, not just finding bad objects."
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Joe Myxter has been running msnbc.com's Travel section since 2006. Follow him on Twitter @joemyxter.
Leave a Comment:
That's not fair. What about me? Why do I have to stand in line?
If you allow them to implant a computer chip in your forearm, you might be able to move to the front of the line with the other sheeple.
can't wait,i fly alot
A further development in the class system now taking hold in our country.
Never mind faster; Make it better. Too much contraband is being allowed on planes because of lazy, poorly trained inspectors.
I got my free pass card and ID scan in 2008 in Toronto Canada for US$50.00 - Money talks, BS walks. Make them pay, Fred.
No money, no funny, no honey.
Thanks Dubya.
Ah here we go again the illustrious TSA throwing crumbs to the peasants.I have a faster way of expediting passengers.
Throw the Over Bloated TSA Garbage out of the Dam Airports.They are a Black Mark and Drain on this Country!
Anyone should be able to qualify for the expeditious screening program. You all have been griping about TSA, this is an adjustment they are trying to make to accomdoate the flying public without stupid profiling or unjustified harrassment just because someone has a turban on his head. Is that not better?
Nope!
Given how much money we pay for it why don`t we start by allowing everyone with a top secret government clearance to skip the lines.
And before you squawk about some being traitors who sell secrets. Well, they might sell secrets but are probably less likely to blow themselves and everyone else up.....hard to spend the money when you're dead.
There are a number of CBP officers who believe that the criteria for trusted traveler status is irrational and has little basis in reality. It's for sheep. If you're a sheep then you're more likely to be preyed upon by those who would use you for their own purposes. This program does more harm than good to our national security. (The aforementioned is MHO).
TSA won't be happy until travelers wear 666 on their forehead or upper arm before they board a plane.
Screaming overreacting tea baggers will be the first to howl "Obama did not protect us" when something gets through due to a lack of screening, Hypocrites all.
I am much more worried about sitting next to a gun nut NRA freak than your average Muslim
Obviously you live in the same world of un-reality that Barack Hussein Obama lives in. Fact: 99.998% of terrorist plots are initiated outside this country. Fact: 99.999% of those plans are initiated from Muslim nations.
Wow! A way for terrorists to get inot this country faster. Just become a frequent flyer and pay what amounts to a bribe. BTW - Fact - NO country can protect citizens 100% of the time.
You are so wrong. Frequent Flyer status has nothing do to with it. And it's a fairly extensive background check plus retinal and fingerprint (all eight, no thumbs) scans. So no, not just anyone can get it.
Wrong answer, TSA - still will not fix the medical metal issue. Freedom to Travel USA is an organization dedicated to regaining freedoms taken away from us by the TSA. We believe that suspicionless unwanted touching should not be a condition of travel. We believe that being subject to the equivalent of Peeping Toms without cause should not be a condition of travel. We believe that exposing ourselves to radiation, however small, should not be a condition of travel. We believe that having medical metal, in and of itself, should not constitute "probable cause."