US

TSA to Test New Trusted Traveler Program, But At What Cost to Privacy?

WASHINGTON (The Blaze/AP) — The Transportation Security Administration said Thursday it will test a program to pre-screen a small group of select air travelers who volunteer more personal information about themselves so they can be vetted to get faster screening at airport checkpoints.

The new program represents the Obama administration’s first attempt at a more risk-based, intelligence-driven passenger screening program that could respond to travelers’ complaints that the government is not using common sense when it screens all passengers at airports in the same manner.

The change comes amid a typically busy summer travel season and on the heels of a public outcry over TSA screeners giving enhanced pat-downs to children and the elderly, people who ostensibly pose no security threat.

For example, on Thursday a 94-year-old North Carolina woman complained about being inappropriately screened after having to go through both the new full body scanner and receiving an enhanced pat-down. She uses a wheelchair but says she was forced to stand for 10 minutes, almost passing out:

The test program was expected to begin sometime this fall. It applies only to a small number of frequent travelers who are U.S. citizens. The TSA said it anticipates that between 5,000 and 8,000 travelers per day will participate in the trial.

The voluntary test program covers selected travelers enrolled in Delta Air Lines’ frequent-flier program or three other government-trusted traveler programs – known as Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI – involving people who travel regularly through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airports; and travelers enrolled in American Airlines’ frequent-flier program, or the three other government programs, who travel regularly through Miami International and Dallas-Fort Worth International airports. There is no cost to participate in the test program.

“These improvements will enable our officers to focus their efforts on higher risk areas,” said TSA Administrator John Pistole.

The concern with any of these expedited programs is that someone could pose as someone else, for instance by using false identification or an ID belonging to another person.

The TSA does not have access to enough information to truly authenticate a traveler’s identity, said J. Bennet Waters, president of Clear, a secure identity verification company operating in some airports. Waters, a former senior TSA and homeland security official, praised the Obama administration’s announcement but said commercially available data under a public-private partnership should be used to validate the person is who he or she says she is. For privacy reasons, the TSA is not allowed to access that information.

This pre-screening test would be on top of the existing pre-screening for all passengers who travel to, from or within the U.S.

Currently these travelers must provide their full names as they appear on their government identifications, as well as their birthdates and gender. This allows the government to compare passenger manifests with government databases to spot possible terrorists before they board a plane, and in some cases before they arrive at the airport. Frequent-flier programs include more than those three identification fields. For instance, personal information provided in Delta’s frequent-flier program includes the traveler’s home address, email address or phone number, and preferred language.

For security reasons, the TSA will not say what specific screening measures travelers who participate in the test might avoid at airports. And participation in the program in no way exempts the travelers from any security measure, the agency said. Further, someone enrolled in the program may not receive the exact same level of screening each time he or she flies.

Amid strong criticism for months, Pistole has said his agency must find smarter ways to perform risk-based screening based on intelligence and move away from a one-size-fits-all plan so that screeners can focus on travelers the government knows the least about.

But Pistole also wants to manage the expectations of the traveling public.

“It’s a complex issue, and so I want to basically under-promise and over-deliver,” he told senators last month.

Allowing certain frequent travelers to speed through security should help all air travelers, said Geoff Freeman, executive president of the U.S. Travel Association, an industry trade group.

“It should be a win for the traveler who doesn‘t even enroll because you’ve removed people from the line, you’ve sped up the entire process,” Freeman said, adding that his organization would like checkpoint security to include biometrics, such as fingerprints or eye scans, to improve security. He also said any future program should be available to all travelers, and not just frequent fliers.

But Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel Coalition, said the pilot program won’t noticeably speed up the security process because it is so small.

The airlines and the Customs and Border Protection agency, which runs the three government-trusted traveler programs in the trial, will contact the eligible travelers to ask them whether they would participate in the program, the TSA said. If the traveler agrees, information the traveler provided to the airline through the frequent-flier program would be shared with the government to do enhanced security vetting.

“Passengers with an extensive travel history are more likely to be eligible,” TSA spokesman Greg Soule said.

The TSA briefed airlines and others in the aviation industry on Thursday about the test program.

Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines, said the TSA has not told the company specifically which tiers in its frequent-flier program will be eligible, but the company believes the pilot program will be limited to elite members of the AAdvantage, which typically require at least 25,000 miles in one year.

Delta spokeswoman Susan Elliott said the airline would tell members of its SkyMiles program about the offer and was eager to take part in the pilot.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve our customer experience, and security is a large component of that,” she said.

The agency plans to eventually expand the test program to United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, US Airways, and Alaska and Hawaiian airlines at other airports.

Speaking to lawmakers in March, Pistole said enrollment in some kind of program like this would not entitle that person to expedited screening.

“It would be a likelihood – perhaps even a high likelihood – that they would receive some type of streamlined processing screening at a checkpoint,” he said.

Comments (53)

1 2
  • TPaine
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 11:38am

    Freedom? What freedom? We ain’t got no freedom! We don‘ need to show you no steenkin’ freedom! Oh, that’s right! As long as we’re safer, we’ll give up all of our freedoms. I actually have a neighbor who told me that she would strip naked in public if it meant she would be safer flying. I didn’t think anyone could consume that much Kool-Aid! In any event, I think it’s too late. Is there any way to stop the TSA? Inquiring minds want to know. Imbicile minds could care less.

    Report Post » TPaine  
    • JRook
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 11:45am

      Ah Yes the TSA, Bush Jr.’s job creation program. At what cost in productivity is the delaying of 99.9999% of travelers. Can’t even imagine how much that costs the US economy every day. Time to use the Israel approach and profile based on behavior and responses to questions.

      Report Post »  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:21pm

      Vote Ron Paul to end the TSA

      otherwise bend over

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
  • stormerwasright
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 10:58am

    May sound crazy…but it just sound lie part of the old plan “Create a problem, then put forth the solution”. They create this idiotic, freedom robbing screening process to aggravate people enough to give up even more of their freedoms…looks like it works every time.

    Report Post » stormerwasright  
  • brntout
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 10:51am

    Anyone notice any plan proposed by any entity with the moniker “security” tied to it always fails?

    Report Post »  
  • jessieH
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 10:47am

    And we remain guinnypigs. (got to buy a dictionary).

    Report Post »  
  • smithclar3nc3
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 10:43am

    Here’s an easy budget cut privatize the TSA and let their salaries be paid by the people who fly. That’s one easy budget cut, it would however pit unionized workers and businesses against not union and allow the cream to rize to the top.
    IT’S A WIN -WIN

    Report Post »  
  • just_around
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 10:11am

    “These improvements will enable our officers to focus their efforts on higher risk areas,” said TSA Administrator John Pistole.

    You know what might help with that? Profiling. Common sense. You’re interrogating and punishing good citizens. You‘re new laws and rules don’t attack the evil that is terrorists because you don’t have the balls to call a spade a spade. Cowards hide behind rules and regulations. Leaders take wise action.

    Report Post »  
  • anOpinion
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:59am

    Another idiotic idea by a corrupt and vile agency.

    Disband the TSA now!

    Report Post » anOpinion  
  • santramir
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:27am

    america project has collapsed, america nation has been lobotomized. leader’s ethics in charge are inferior to the world reality. the new world order is anithing but new at all: kingdoms are back. no citizens but subjects, no liberty but obedience, no freedom but submissive, no creativity but routine, no persons differentiation but repetitive modular bricks, welcome to the socialist kingdom. privacy??? ha ha ha, don’t waste kingdoms time in peanuts. world money supply ?? control achieved, world justice mechanics ?? control achieved, social health and security dependance ?? control achieved, armies and military forces?? control achieved, mass media communications machine?? control achieved, the ultimate goal of taking the world under the previously planned holistic kingdom control has been achieved, any doubt?? want some more ?? you are probably in the obama’s right side of history being a princess in the new world socialist kingdom order

    Report Post » santramir  
  • silversurfer2
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:17am

    These programs like Global Entry etc only work to bypass customs line. The full body scanners are still in play and you need to choose between the radiating scanners or opt out and be groped for 5 minutes or more. Nothing gained in these programs. The stauts quo remains.

    Report Post »  
  • quicker
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:15am

    And just how many terorist have they caught so far ? ZERO!!!

    Report Post » quicker  
    • saranda
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 11:58am

      That is kind of the point of the program. It stops terrorists from attempting to use planes. By having caught none, it means the program works. Once you stop it what stops terrorists from smuggling stuff on planes again. Small inconvenience for the privledge of flying…you do know that flying is not a right and so no sense of entitlement should exist to it. No rights are infringed if you choose to fly on a private airline.

      Report Post »  
    • hillplus
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 1:30pm

      Two comments Saranda. One, you got the private airline part correct. The airport, and planes are PRIVATE PROPERTY, not government owned, yet are being subject to this gvnt intrusion.
      Two, in 2007 in Denver, TSA missed 90% of simulated bombs!! They missed 75% at LA international and 60% in Chicago.

      We are giving up rights, the elderly and children are being assaulted and the TSA are failing miserably. Pardon me if I don’t feel safer.

      Report Post »  
  • PelositheGreat
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:14am

    Yea! “safe to fly” id cards! I want one!

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:11am

    Hey, stupids!!!

    This is how air travel USED TO BE before you guys stepped in.

    tsa, leave now. You are union thugs and perverts, evil and vile. adios!

    Report Post »  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:10am

    This screening of old ladies and young children is ridiculous when you stop and think about our government giving guns to our enemies. Has any of them heard of common sense?

    Report Post » Darla_K  
  • llotus
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:02am

    There is a limit to everything and the tsa has passed that limit long ago. Its cruelty to make an old woman stand, especialy if it is difficult for her to stand, and hold her arms out for any length of time. There is no telling how much info they will require and if they go so far as to have a trial run at it you can bet they will make it mandatory. The little frail old women will then have to endure the hole tamali. I dont ride busses or trains, I dont feel they are safe and am lucky I dont need to. I have questions as to why they are wanting to take this new route. I would rather go through the gambit than give them personal info. With this administration it wouldnt be too wild to think some pretty strange ideas of their reasoning. I just think their would be too big of an oportunity for abuse of the information, tracking individuals and for what purpose. Things have changed too much in a short length of time. Lotus.

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:48am

    The tsa or anyone else for that matter cannot guarantee our safety it’s all for show,to make us feel safe.
    The government shouldn’t be in the business of airport security,they screw up everything they touch.Just use profiling and ignore all the PC BS,of course that will never happen with the government involved.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Obama Snake Oil Co
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:19am

      OK, so they took our finger clippers away….after the big attack on 911. Shoes checked out after the shoebomber…..scanners, after the underware bomber….next will be the cavity check at airports. Thye keep putting bandaids on the approach towards security. Then I hear they think they might have bombs surgically inplanted. If that happens…expect full xrays by TSA as the bandaid. Profile, use dogs, background checks…obviously, all of this can be checked on a computer….ever heard of one? Its a device that can tell everything about you before you get to the airport. Only profile last minute fight bookers. All others should have been run against the known and suspected terrorist list. Since you show an ID, have a SSN…have an address…know your age and how many frequent flyer miles you have….I would say, you are pretty well screened.

      Report Post » Obama Snake Oil Co  
  • varnell99
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:22am

    The TSA is just plain bull s***. They can’t do anything to protect the flying public. All they can do is grope seniors and yound children. That is where Obuma put the people to work, as his own private security force. He has to go in 2012. And the next President needs to get rid of Napalitino as Homeland Security Director and all of the people in then TSA. That whole group just pis*** me off to no end the way they treat the people that actually pay their salary.

    Report Post »  
    • Matlor
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 9:31pm

      First of all TSA was enacted under Pres. Bush, you can’t put this one on Obama.
      Second, I remember “airline security” before 9/11…..it was deplorable and non-existant. The airlines hired out to private companies that put the most stupid and sometimes mentally and physically disabled to watch X-ray machines. Therefore……boom 9/11.

      I’m not advocating their ignorant overkill, but it has improved greatly. I know because after 9/11 I worked airline security alongside the National Guard and remember getting cussed by the general public for giving a damn.

      At least these people are trying to do something!

      Report Post »  
  • Sicialian Eyeball
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:18am

    I dont want to be trusted. I want the Govt. scared Sh-tless of every person in this country. Maybe then they will stop this insanity,if they know we’ve had enough of these Nazis.

    Report Post »  
  • mutslie
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:09am

    All this TSA bullying‘ is just another DIVERSION organized to take ’the heat‘ of the ’Hybred muzslum prez’ (B O) ‘ the most important thing is whats happening in DC’ now……… ‘hope the republicans ’stick to their guns’
    As it is now they are > KEEPING THE BASTARDS HONEST <……………… 'if thats possible?

    I reck'n I reck'n.

    Report Post »  
  • rfycom
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:09am

    my life is an open book. I have nothing to hide. Take me SS #, finger prints, tow, prints, photography my penis. I don’t care. As a 12 generation American you don’t get more American than this hot sexy man candy.

    Report Post »  
    • Just4fun
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:02am

      Do you really think they don’t have that information already! Next they will want you to prove that that is really your special tool. Good luck, hope you have sufficient evidence!

      Report Post »  
  • endgamer
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:09am

    Here it comes! Now we will have the cut in line pass. Pay a fee and and board the plane. Only for the elite! Don’tcha ya see where this is all going? I see FRAUD too where Jihadists find the list of safe travelers and kidnap grandma to use her in a terror plot. This elitist society and assault on our Freedom and rights has to end NOW Flush em all in 2012 if we have to!

    Report Post » endgamer  
    • Morgoth
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:28am

      Yes, but the prerequisite to pass in line is that you must be a registered democrat or a muslim

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 9:24am

      We already have that happening, too many of the favored of the administration, and chief among them are the muslum faithful who are escorted around security; so now the pressure from the TSA and HSA will just be ratcheded up against the rest of the American people who fly — until they get to be so burdensome no one will desire to do it and either an ‘event’ will occur or collapse the air industry and then it winds up federalized — soon to come “Obama airlines”.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • ares338
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:01am

    If this small test group appears to be successful, then guess what? In the interest of national security you will all be required to participate. Welcome to the hive.

    Report Post » ares338  
    • old white guy
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:10am

      stop flyihg or start punching these basta-ds in the face.

      Report Post »  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:30am

      I agree.

      On a side note: “…covers selected travelers enrolled in Delta Air Lines’ frequent-flier program…”
      Considering Delta crashes ‘em on the runway, just how many frequent-fliers will stay enrolled?

      Report Post »  
  • So
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:55am

    We’re screwed coming and going.

    Report Post »  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:51am

    You pay to play. I wonder what the airlines promised to give back to Team O.

    The whole thing should have been risk based from the get go…99% of the travelers are not terrorists…Israel offered to show them how they do it but we had to do it the old US way, throw money at it and maybe it will go away. Typical of USA policy to “FIX” something.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:48am

    Do higher risk areas mean Muslims or those who hate Israel? Because if it doesn‘t I don’t see any rationale for this.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Av8tor056
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 8:10am

      If past performance is any indicator it’ll be toddlers, elderly, and disabled people.

      Report Post » Av8tor056  
  • So
    Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:47am

    Here’s a thought. Go after the people that declared jihad on us. You know the ones that we are engaged in war.

    Use intelligence for a change.

    It’s costing us millions to check everyone while playing this PC game. Everyone did not declare a jihad against Americans.

    Millions down the drain, bending over backwards not to offend.

    Inconceivable.

    Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on July 15, 2011 at 12:37pm

      Profiling is just too much of a common sense approach. We should copy in detail Iserali and El Al Airlines secuity processes.

      The Isrealies seem to be able to address the terriorist threat against airlines: Take my plane and I will kill you. Entiebe (spelling?).

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love