"As far as biometrics go, the iris scan is the most sophisticated measure," TSA spokesman Darrin Kayser said. "These technologies provide us a high level of assurance that you are who you say you are."
But some security experts worry that terrorists could apply to become a registered traveler and score an easier pass through security checkpoints. "Registered traveler is simply putting hijackers on airplanes faster," said Billie Vincent, a former Federal Aviation Administration official. "If you look at 9/11 hijackers, some of them would have qualified as frequent fliers. All they had to do is run a few tests and find out what the parameters were and get people registered."
Soo Cho had an iris scan yesterday at Reagan National Airport. Along with the scan, she provided personal information and a fingerprint reading to become a "registered traveler" on American Airlines.
(Cathy Kapulka -- The Washington Post)
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Special Treatment In a test project, the government has offered passengers a swift pass through security checkpoints in exchange for submitting to iris scans and digital fingerprinting.
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The TSA said the program is just one of many security layers. Registered travelers will still have to pass through a metal detector and have their luggage inspected. The benefit, TSA said, is a shorter, dedicated line that will amount to a more predictable wait time for security check-in. Registered travelers will also be exempt from random pat-down screening after they step through the checkpoint.
Selected passengers who fly at least once a week from National Airport received an e-mail from American notifying them of their eligibility for the program. After Labor Day, registered travelers will present a boarding pass to an agent at the special security lane, then place an index finger on the kiosk's scanner and look into a high-tech camera to provide an iris scan. Within seconds, the machine matches the information with its database and displays a photo and name on a screen, if the passenger is approved to proceed through checkpoint. If the traveler is not approved, a red screen pops up advising: "Wait for assistance."
Travelers who signed up for the program yesterday said they were impressed with the technology and were eager to be afforded special privileges at the checkpoint. None of the enrollees said they had a problem with providing the government with their personal information.
Indeed, several travelers ticked off a number of cities they had visited in the past week and said they were tired of the unpredictable security lines.
At some airports, like National, there is hardly a line at all. But the lines at others, such as Dulles International and those in Seattle and Dallas, eat up valuable business time.
"I was hoping this might be expanded to BWI and Dulles -- they have worse lines," said Jim Rowan, an investment banker from Chevy Chase.
