Transportation Security Administration Administrator John Pistole provided an update on the agency’s efforts to implement risk-based, intelligence-driven security measures. As part of the discussion, Pistole provided details on the agency’s plan to conduct a pilot program in the coming months to enhance TSA’s identity-based, pre-flight screening capabilities and provide trusted travelers with expedited screening.
The pilot programs will begin in the fall and include certain frequent fliers and certain members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs, including members of Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS, who are U.S. citizens will be eligible to participate in this pilot, which could qualify them for expedited screening at select checkpoints at certain airports.
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airports, certain frequent fliers from Delta Air Lines and certain members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs who are U.S. citizens and who are also flying on Delta will be eligible to participate in the pilot.
At Miami International and Dallas Fort Worth International airports, certain frequent fliers from American Airlines and certain members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs who are U.S. citizens and who are also flying on American will be eligible. TSA plans to expand this pilot to include United Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, US Airways, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines, as well as additional airports, once operationally ready.
Exact details of what will be involved in the screening and background checks were not released during Pistole’e briefing but it’s possible that participants may be able to avoid the full body scanners and having to take shoes and coats off if they participate.
The idea of a trusted traveler is not new, private companies have offered services but ever since Clear went out of business two-years-ago the programs have struggled to get back going.
Read previous coverage of the TSA’s trusted traveler program here. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/governmentidnews-4.gif)
