Airlines Plan Quick System For Identifying Passengers

The Washington Times ^ | June 23, 2002 | By Robert O'Harrow Jr.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Several airlines have begun working on plans for a passenger identification system that would rely on background checks, fingerprints, iris scans and high-tech IDs to verify individuals' identities and speed security screening at airports.

The "trusted traveler" program would give pre-screened passengers easier access through security checkpoints, much as frequent-flier cards permit certain regular travelers to board airplanes before other passengers.

Industry officials floated the idea last fall as a way to minimize chronic security delays that carriers blame for declines in passengers and revenue. But officials in the new Transportation Security Administration have repeatedly declined to endorse it, saying such a system might be vulnerable to abuse by terrorists.

TSA chief John W. Magaw said terrorists could infiltrate a smart-card system over a period of years. Terrorists are patient, Magaw said in a speech Tuesday at an aviation security conference in Washington. "That's why I'm concerned," he said.

But the approach appears to have growing support from Tom Ridge, the director of homeland security, who urged Northwest Airlines, Continental, Delta and other carriers in a private meeting two weeks ago to develop a detailed plan on how they would implement such a program, according to people familiar with the meeting.

"We'll work together with the airline industry," said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House Office of Homeland Security. "We're going to take a look at this."

The industry action comes at a time of frustration for airline officials, who have become increasingly vocal about their contention that the unwillingness of transportation security officials to even test trusted-traveler programs has exacerbated a falloff in travel since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, especially on shorter flights.

Industry officials complain that the security agency has been distracted by congressionally mandated deadlines for baggage screening.

Theplanning moves follow a recent proposal by President Bush to create a Department of Homeland Security that would take on responsibility for aviation security. Aviation industry officials believe a new department would be more accommodating to the industry in striking a balance between security and passenger convenience.

"There is a frustration among airlines that we haven't at least begun testing yet," said Dirk McMahon, a senior vice president for customer service at Northwest. "The TSA has been willing to listen. But they haven't come out in support. . . . The net result of that is our business continues to unnecessarily suffer."

It remains unclear when the airlines could begin live tests of their proposals. Working through the industry's Air Transport Association, the carriers have formed a group to oversee the drafting of a common plan. They hope to get government approval to begin test programs in the coming

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

All the hi-tech gadgets in the world aren't worth a hill of beans if you are letting low I.Q. idiots, felons and illegal aliens operate them.

[Fred Mertz]

I think I'll take the train next time. Thank you very much.

[zeugma]

But the approach appears to have growing support from Tom Ridge, the director of homeland security, who urged Northwest Airlines, Continental, Delta and other carriers in a private meeting two weeks ago to develop a detailed plan on how they would implement such a program, according to people familiar with the meeting.

Has anyone here heard of a totalitarian big-brotherish idea yet that Ridge doesn't support?

I'm sick of this crap. I'll likely never fly again. THe people of this once great nation have gone completely insane.

[Redbob]

"So if you'll surrender just a leeetle bit more of your privacy and your personal freedom, it'll all be very convenient, don't you see?
In fact, it's all rather painless!"

[Redbob]

"Has anyone here heard of a totalitarian big-brotherish idea yet that Ridge doesn't support?"

Uh, no.

[Barbara14]

I am amazed. If these concepts had come down during the commei clinton era, we all would be freaked out and complaining, but suddenly, we are all sheep.

Airline Industry, "We promise we won't share your data with any body else." Right. I believe them. Don't you?

I believe them so much, I will NEVER subject myself to a retinal scan.

NEVER.

[goldstategop]

And as long as Norman Mineta's opposed to racial profiling to help identify terrorists' identities and save lives.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Something similar to this "trusted traveler" has to happen- I work in a business where travel, including international travel, was a way of life pre- 9/11. I don't have access to the figures (not being an accountant, thank God) but from the group I work with I estimate that business travel is down by close to 75%. You cannot have high-level people standing around in airport "security" lines for longer than their actual travel is going to take. Teleconferencing is "in", flying to conferences is (almost) out.

By the way, I would take the civil libertarians on these threads more seriously in their opposition to what is essentially an upgraded ID card, IF they were staging sit-ins at Airport security checkpoints. I don't see any of that happening, though- just impotent grumbling...