Registered Traveler Test Begins

The Transportation Security Administration earlier this month cut the ribbon on its Registered Traveler Pilot Program at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport in conjunction with Northwest Airlines. According to National Business Travel Association president Carol Devine, who was there to deliver a statement on behalf of NBTA in support of the effort, the setup allows volunteers who have been enrolled by Northwest and TSA to experience a three-part process: Participants show a photo identification and boarding pass to a security agent, pass through finger or iris biometric scanning and then enter the normal carry-on bag check and magnetometer.

Largely since they have their own line in the last part of the process, known as primary screening, program participants are expected to save time. They also will avoid secondary screening unless something detected in primary screening needs further examination—such as causing the metal detector to alarm. "They save time not only from the standpoint of having their own process, but also they're in a line with travelers who are familiar with what to remove, what they have to have ready, etc.," Devine said.

TSA officials joined others from Northwest and the airport authority, as well as NBTA, which Devine said will not be involved with enrolling participants as the association hoped for earlier. "The enrollment is very tightly secured and is by invitation only," she said. "Only very frequent travelers were invited, and if they weren't already mailed an invitation to participate, they are not allowed to enroll. NBTA will play an advisory role in an effort to help the test in any way it can."

"Northwest Airlines invited its platinum elite frequent flyers to enroll in the pilot program in late June," TSA said. "Volunteers provided TSA with information, including name, address, phone number and date of birth, along with biometric identifiers. TSA then conducted a security assessment of each volunteer, including analysis of law enforcement and intelligence data sources and a check of outstanding criminal warrants. Approximately 2,000 customers will participate at each test airport."

As was previously announced (BTNonline, June 16), the pilot will expand to four other airports this summer, starting in Los Angeles with United Airlines later this month. It will last about three months at each airport. The test results will determine the opportunity for wider implementation, TSA said, based on security, operations, customer service and costs. TSA said the "suitability of airport facilities" was a factor in determining which airports and airlines were chosen. Certain airports' facilities are likely to be less capable of accommodating such a program.