TSA Questions Private Registered Traveler Tech

Transportation Security Administration assistant secretary Kip Hawley today during congressional testimony said technologies that would enable Registered Traveler program members to pass through security without removing their shoes, coats and laptops still need further work before TSA will grant approval.

"The technology is not yet there to provide significant screening benefits to members," Hawley said today before the House Committee on Homeland Security, adding that providers need to tweak such systems before TSA grants full approval. He did not specify the modifications TSA seeks.

Verified Identity Pass CEO Steven Brill today during testimony said TSA this week notified General Electric—Verified's provider of shoe scanners and other technology to speed checkpoint clearance—of improvements it would have to make to gain approval for such devices. Brill said GE is moving forward "as fast as they can."

According to a survey released today by the Business Travel Coalition and Registered Traveler provider FLO Corp, business travelers and corporate travel managers want a widespread, functional Registered Traveler program that allows travelers to whisk through airport security checkpoints without removing shoes, laptops or coats.

Of 211 corporate travel manager and traveler respondents, 80 percent said they would pay $99 for a membership that guarantees "expeditious security checkpoint processing, without any other in-lane benefits such as not having to remove shoes, laptops and coats," according to survey results. Many respondents qualified their responses, saying program desirability hinges upon which airports roll it out, whether companies would reimburse the expense and whether programs truly deliver on promises of speedy flow through airport security.

With the program rolled out at a handful of U.S. airports, several respondents said they are awaiting critical mass—or at least checkpoint lanes at frequently traveled airports—before membership becomes worthwhile.

Among the most coveted benefits to expedited security for survey respondents, 55 percent said keeping shoes on through security would be the first priority, while 42 percent leaving laptops in bags while passing through checkpoints is the single most desired benefit when passing through lanes.

Corporate travel buyers have sought to formulate policies around the program, including whether the company or traveler pays the bill for membership. Rick Wakida, global travel manager at Foster City, Calif.-based Gilead Sciences, last week said his travelers have yet to ask for reimbursement for the program, which would only become applicable to corporate travelers when company's home airport in San Francisco launches lanes. The company has yet to devise a policy around Registered Traveler membership.

However, one travel manager respondent said, "This is going to be very hard to justify when companies have 500 travelers," noting it could add an additional $50,000 annually to the travel budget. Another said, "Our company plans to only pay for this benefit for those travelers who take over 15 trips per year or hold an executive position within the company."