The Transportation Security Administration
said it intends to phase in as many as 20 airports into the
Registered Traveler pilot program before the end of the year,
despite opposition from the major airlines.
In response to
the TSA decision to expand the controversial RT program, the Air
Transport Association, an airline trade group, issued a statement
reiterating its view that the TSA should drop it.
The ATA firmly
believes that limited TSA resources should not be diverted from
efficiently and effectively screening all passengers to a program
that provides limited and questionable benefits for some customers,
the ATA said. Instead, the TSA should focus on programs that
improve the overall passenger screening process.
In addition to
opposition by the airlines, civil liberties groups have expressed
privacy concerns.
Additionally, the
Government Accountability Office has raised doubts over the TSAs
timetable for implementation due to issues involving the
development the pre-screening system.
Nevertheless, the
TSA said the additional airports with the RT program would come on
line as soon as the private sector operators that will facilitate
the program make the necessary business arrangements with host
airports and air carriers and get security approval from the
TSA.
The airport
locations, which the TSA said it would announce in the coming
months, would be approved by the TSA, based on such factors as
physical layout, passenger traffic levels, as well as the airports
interest in participating in the pilot program.
The TSA is
working with airports and private sector providers, and we will
enable the private sector to launch the Registered Traveler
programs as soon as this summer, said Assistant Secretary for the
TSA, Kip Hawley in a statement. Security will be maintained, the
program will be paid for by the private sector, and it will not
disadvantage the general public when they fly.
The RT programs
will be partially fee-funded and the TSA will set the fee through a
notice published in the Federal Register. The TSA also intends to
undertake a rule-making period, during which time public comments
will be solicited on its plan to implement the RT program
nationally.
Hawleys decision
to expand the program was praised by the National Business Travel
Association.
The NBTA has
supported the Registered Traveler program since its inception in
2004, said NBTA Executive Director and COO Bill Connors in a
statement. As a participant in one of the pilot programs offered at
Reagan National Airport, Im well aware of the benefits Registered
Traveler provides frequent business travelers. I am pleased that
travelers from around the country will soon reap the advantages of
enrollment in a Registered Traveler program.
A survey of
business travelers conducted in cooperation with the NBTA and the
Travel Industry Association found 92% would be interesting in
signing up for the RT program.
Steven Brill, the
founder and CEO of Verified Identity Pass, a private sector company
that operates Clear -- an RT program at Orlandos airport, one of
the first RT test locations -- said the TSA was successfully
continuing the process of giving airports and air carriers the
guidance they need to launch this common sense, security-enhancing
and hassle-eliminating program.
Other sectors of
the travel industry are beginning to embrace the program as well.
For instance, VIP in March signed a deal with Hyatt Hotels, which
became the first hotel chain to offer its top-tier frequent stay
loyalty members complimentary membership in Clear.
Hyatt said it
intends to set up Clear enrollment stations in select hotels as
soon as the program is implemented at other airports.
To contact
reporter Michael Milligan, send e-mail to [email protected].