Travel
TSA's Air Travel Pilot
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In an effort to improve customer service and enhance security operations, this summer the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is implementing the Registered Traveler Pilot Program at selected airports.
TSA expects that the Registered Traveler Pilot Program will allow participants to pass more quickly into secure areas, reducing congestion at checkpoints and lowering passenger screening wait time. Passengers selected for the Registered Traveler Pilot Program are also less likely to be chosen for secondary screening, helping to reduce checkpoint back–ups and improve overall customer service at airports. As TSA will know more about passengers enrolled in Registered Traveler Pilot Program, the demand on the agency’s screening resources can be refocused on other checkpoint priorities. At the end of the pilot phase of Registered Traveler, TSA will assess the biometric technologies as well as the security and customer service benefits of a wider implementation of Registered Traveler.
Because Registered Traveler may offer significant benefits to many travelers with disabilities, Admiral Stone has asked us to ensure that people with disabilities participate in the pilot project. Registered Traveler is a voluntary program and there is no fee for the pilot phase.
We are contacting you, as members of the TSA Disability Coalition, to ask your help in reaching out to people with disabilities who may be frequent flyers to encourage their participation in the pilot activities for the ninety (90) day trial. The pilot phase will be restricted to travelers who travel once per week with one of the participating air carriers from the five pilot airports.
Registered Traveler Pilot Sites and Partners
Beginning in early July, the first TSA registered traveler lane will open at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in coordination with Northwest Airlines. In July, Los Angeles International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport/Houston will join the pilot with United Airlines and Continental Airlines, respectively. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Boston Logan International Airport will follow in August with the cooperation of American Airlines Participating airlines will work with TSA to identify frequent flyers to serve as volunteers at these locations.
How it Works
For the purposes of this pilot, Registered Travelers will be able to participate only at their home airports. The biometric kiosks will not be deployed at the airports beyond the five named above
Applicants will submit personal information including: full name, social security number, home address, phone number, date of birth, email address and place of birth. In addition, applicants will provide biometric identification data including fingerprints and an iris scan. This information will be used by TSA to conduct a security assessment to determine suitability to participate in the Registered Traveler Pilot Program. Invited applicants must present two forms of government issued identification in order to enroll. For information regarding TSA’s use of applicant data, please see the Privacy Impact Assessment at www.dhs.gov/privacy.
TSA is optimistic that this initiative will introduce important improvements to our screening operations by reducing uncertainties and increasing checkpoint efficiency all travelers. Please invite interested members, who meet the minimum threshold of frequent travel from one of the participating airports, to contact Kathleen Blank at Kathleen.Blank@dhs.gov, or by U.S. Mail at Kathleen A. Blank, Esq, Screening of Persons with Disabilities Program, United States Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, 601 S. 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202. She will serve as the point of contact for any questions you have about the program. Thank you in advance for your interest in this program, and your help in making it a success.
Sandra Cammaroto is Program Manager for Screening of Persons with Disabilities Program Transportation Security Administration U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Excerpted from TBISERV, the listserve for the Federal TBI Program. TBISERV is moderated by the TBI Technical Assistance Center at the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators.