Trusted Traveler

The U.S. Travel Association wants the federal government to accelerate the creation of a ‘trusted traveler’ program under which verified travelers would be allowed to pass through airport security check points quickly via an alternative security process.

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said that “The vast majority of the traveling public poses little threat to our nation’s security, yet the current approach subjects every passenger to the same security procedures. A trusted traveler program would allow us to focus more security where it is most needed, while reducing unnecessary hassles for the majority of low risk travelers. Surely the United States can find a way to implement such a common sense approach.”

In a statement, the USTA listed the following guiding principles for the trusted traveler program:

1. Pre-screening process before travelers arrive at the airport, which would be possible iof there were large numbers of trusted travelers.

2. Refocus security resources towards a smaller pool of passengers whose backgrounds and travel habits are less known.

3. Deter potential threats (the USTA seems to think that the current status quo makes the security checkpoints themselves ripe targets for attacks).

4. Guard Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.

A panel of federal officials, security and aviation experts cobbled together by the USTA plans to issue a report next year with more specific details for this proposed trusted traveler program.

To be noted that there are already multiple systems for registered travelers. The DHS ran a pilot at 20 US airports for the Global Entry Program last year, which uses biometric identification and expedites clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers into the United States.

The Clear Registered Traveler program, which was re-launched earlier this year, also uses the same system of biometric identification kiosks in dedicated airport security lanes to help registered travelers quickly get through checkpoints.

If the Federal government were to agree to create another ‘Trusted Traveler’ program, it would essentially create three grades of travelers – the low-risk registered travelers, trusted travelers who can be pre-screened before arrival, and then the rest who can get ready for the airport gropes.

Some people have even called for a ‘license to fly’ which would require every air traveler to take tests and pass background checks in order to get the license, somewhat like driver’s license required for driving a car. This looks a little unrealistic at the moment.

What the USTA is suggesting, on the other hand, is quite doable and also probably the only solution to allow passengers to fly safely and without being harassed by the TSA.