By Judi McLeod
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Like the proverbial mirage beckoning over hot shimmering sands, Card Technology ID appears to be a good thing.
Now certain travelers heading out for the annual Christmas rush can get to keep their Nikes on.
"Tired of taking your shoes off at airport security checkpoints? Relief is in sight, at least for U.S. frequent flyers who sign up for the government-backed Registered Traveler program, (Card Technology ID Focus, Dec. 14, 2006). "With the holidays coming up, we know many of you will be traveling to spend time with friends and family."
The writers of this Good News for Registered Travelers wish travelers a politically correct "Happy Holidays".
The program that lets weary travelers leave their Nikes on supplies them with smart cards to speed them on through airport security lines is going to get a boost from the U.S. government's approval of a new kind of screening device.
"a machine that scans shoes for bombs and explosive materials, developed by General Electric Co's GE Security unit, has been certified by the United States, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security administration tells Card Technology. The device lets travelers go through security lines without removing footwear.
This could increase the appeal of Registered Traveler, a program backed by the U.S. government that allows individuals who pass voluntary background checks to use special airport security lanes, where they identify themselves with s smart card and biometric. In the one functioning program, operated by New York-based Verified Identity Pass, travelers enroll both a fingerprint and iris biometric, and choose the one they prefer to use. They pay $99.95 annually to take part. Installing the shoe-scanning device could speed up lines even more, and free passengers from the annoyance of taking off their shoes to get through security checkpoints.
Testing travelers' shoes became paramount after Richard Reid, the so-called "Shoe Bomber" admitted to trying to blow up a commercial flight using bombs hidden in his shoes on Dec. 22, 2001.
No word whether Registered Travel will consider travelers being allowed to keep their headdress on while filing through airport security lines.
But enthusiastic is an adjective tat best describes the debut of travelers able to keep their shoes on.
"This signals a significant boost to Registered Traveler," says Tom Blank, executive director of the Voluntary Credentialing Industry Coalition, made up of nine companies pursuing Registered Traveler contracts. The program could use it. So far, about 35,000 people have signed up, and the program operates only at the Orlando International airport. Verified, the company that runs the Orlando program under TSa supervision says it is on the verge of expanding to New York's JFK International airport, as well as airports in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and San Jose. Other officials say at least a dozen more airports are interested in the program. General Electric is a minority investor in Verified.
The approval "is an exciting step forward", says Larry Zmuda, who oversees Registered Traveler efforts for Unisys Corp., which has a contract to run the program in Reno, Nev. Though Verified has bought 20 of the kiosks, Unisys is still considering a purchase. One reason, Zmuda says, is the uncertainty of how well the equipment would fit into limited spaces at Reno and other airports. The kiosk, he says, weighs 800 pounds, and may prove too large for some Registered Traveler areas, which are typically "tall and thin."
Zmuda says Unisys is keeping its eyes on similar equipment, such as "backscatter" device that uses X-rays to detect threatening objects hidden in clothing. This could also let passengers move through security lines and more speed and less undressing. On Monday, the TSa began testing a backscatter device in Phoenix. Zmuda adds at least 20 airports are interested in Registered Traveler, including those in Denver and Chicago.
a spokesman for E Security says the machines cost around $200,000. He said of the 20 machines ordered by Verified, four are going to Orlando and two to JFK.
Meanwhile, no one is talking about privacy issues involved in being a Registered Traveler.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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