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The Transportation Security Administration is seeking industry and public input on its plan to begin an airline passenger verification program at airports across the country.

TSA plans to implement the Registered Traveler program nationwide in 2006, according to a notice in the Federal Register. Under the program, airline passengers can pay a fee and voluntarily give their biographic and biometric information to TSA in exchange for expedited screening at airport security checkpoints.

"TSA will use the results of the biographic and biometric data collection to verify an applicant's claimed identity and to perform a security threat assessment on the individual volunteering for the program and check immigration status to ensure eligibility for the program," the notice stated.

"Individuals who do not pose, or are not suspected of posing, a threat to transportation security, and otherwise meet all other eligibility requirements for the [Registered Traveler] program, will be afforded enhanced benefits at the TSA security checkpoints," the notice said.

TSA tested Registered Traveler at five airports earlier this year and is currently conducting one final test at Orlando International Airport. "Through this initial pilot program, TSA generated valuable data and insights concerning the viability of using security assessments and biometric-based identity verification technology in the airport environment -- and how that allowed for an expedited security screening process for program participants," the agency stated.

TSA Director Edmund "Kip" Hawley has said the first Registered Traveler participants should be screened and enrolled by June 20. TSA expects up to 600,000 passengers participate in the program during its first year.

In order to gauge passenger feedback and satisfaction, TSA plans to survey a representative sample of participants and conduct interviews with representatives from airlines and airport authorities, the notice stated. All surveys and interviews will be voluntary and anonymous.

TSA estimated that the cost of administering Registered Traveler will be about $30 million a year, which will be paid by user fees. The agency plans to hire a private company to help administer the program and to enroll participants. A request for proposals for the effort is expected to be issued after Jan. 20, according to TSA.

COMMENTS

• I have recently begun flying again and was aware of the plastic baggy for liquid items of couse I had a one gallon bagging for all my items the airport had one quart bags availabe. What were they thinking? The issue I have is regarding the bottle water. Every travel tip document I have read, suggest for travelers to drink at least 8 oz of water every 55 minutes. I watched a TSA person take a sealed bottle of water from a single mom traveling with her baby and I became furious with the knee jeck dummy down mind-set. How can she make formula up without water and why assume she can afford to buy another overpriced bottle from the airport once on the other side of security and more importantly why she should have to do so. And what if the baby needed to drink the special baby water with extra fluoride? Instead of complaining, I thought I would offer another perspective on bottled water going through security. If the bottled water is open use a drop test to ensure that it is water. If the bottle is unopened leave a shred of diginity and common sense in the American Airport system; let it pass through and stop wasting peoples time and money with stupidity. As far as frequent fliers, everyone has the ability to become rogue so keep up the good work on screening. Thank you. Elaine Posted July 24, 2008 1:13 PM
• Good morning Why aren't government employees and military personnel automatically in this "trusted traveler program"? Many already have had a background check to obtain a security clearance. Is this whole idea a method of collecting "fees." C Mcweeney Posted December 23, 2005 6:05 AM
• While this new TSA initiative has its problems, it has to happen. Why? Well, I worked for several years at a large airport, and saw first hand the confusion, rage and unhappiness of the traveling public. Most large airports have certain "crunch" times when most of the flights come in, so you can have thousands of people clearing Immigration & Customs (oops, DHS) at the same time. Add to that mess the inevitable landing delays, occasional short-staffing at the terminals, and things really get dicey! It's sort of like the screen on a shower drain, make it too small and nothing drains out, too large and it's useless. Another fact, terrorists aren't stupid, and they can easily enter our country via sea or land borders. TSA has focused too much on air travel. It's time to expand our thinking. GovExec.com reader Posted December 26, 2005 9:45 AM