As discussed in a previous blog post the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is under a lot of pressure to implement a program to alleviate unnecessary screenings for trusted and respected travelers. As the TSA works tirelessly on finding a way to create an adequate and efficient traveler trust program, a few articles have already started hinting at some of the procedures and processes involved with the programs logistics. The concept that we have come to know is a 3-tier approach to security. Travelers are classified as either a Trusted Traveler, Regular or Risk.
According to an article posted on Flying with Fish (a blog about flying) the 3-tier program works like this:
The Trusted Travelers, would be those who submit to a complete background check, much like those under the previous Registered Traveler program, and similar to the current Global Entry program that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (US CBP)has in place at international airports. US CBP’s Global Entry program allows those who have undergone a background check to bypass the lines at passport control and use a kiosk to enter the country. With the TSA’s projected Trusted Traveler program, a traveler who has been verified would receive a ‘lighter’ search, use a walk-through-metal-detector instead of an Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanner and in theory be able to keep their shoes on and their laptop in the bag.”
A “Regular” traveler would undergo the standard security procedures in place today.
A “Risk” traveler would receive a more thorough search of their clothing, baggage and potentially be asked a series of questions.
However, many are skeptical of this approach and feel a lot of roads need to be crossed in order for it to be an adequate and safe system. The same article goes through multiple steps that need to be addressed before a new program is implemented:
- Being able to positively identify each traveler and matching them to their boarding pass
- “IT issues associated with having a live stream of data of all passenger information coming into each and every TSA checkpoint.”
- IT-Hardware needs – “hardware needs a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars … something the TSA does not presently have in its budget.”
- Logistics – “The physical altering of security checkpoints at airports to allow for the three-tier screening to be carried out.”
And of course, “Who would perform the passenger background checks for the Trusted Traveler system and who would determine a ‘Regular’ vs ‘Risk’ passenger?” The “Who?” and “Where?” seem to be the biggest issues – government agency or independent contractors? How will the information be secured? How will it be payed for?
These questions and many more are on everyone’s minds considering the TSA has yet to answer any of these questions. It is only a matter of time before any of this becomes a “TSA just talks” game.
Be sure to keep reading the Sundance Vacations blog as we are going to update you as information is released.
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