Will Anti-Federal Reserve Activists be on TSA's List of "Trusted Travelers"?

06-02-2011 • secureidnews.com

Pistole wants to use risk-based, intelligence driven programs to enable easier travel. “Everyone is familiar with the current system that screens nearly everyone the same way,” he said. “If we want to continue to ensure the secure freedom of movement for people and commerce across this great nation and around the world, there are solutions that go beyond the one-size-fits-all system.” Details of the new known or trusted traveler program is still being worked out, but it will be different from the registered traveler programs that have been in place up to now, a TSA spokesperson says adding, “those programs have essentially been front of the line programs.” The trusted traveler programs were first thought of after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks as a way to alleviate security checkpoints at airports. Private company’s sprung up to fill the need but ran into financial issues and ceased operation. In the last year a couple of new players have emerged, but they are only operating at a handful of airports. Any new program will most likely dovetail with pilots for crewmember screening. That system will tie airline employee databases together in a seamless way and enable TSA security officers to positively verify identity and employment status of crewmembers. CrewPass, a pilot of a crewmember system, has been running since May 2009 at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport and Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina. Crewmembers enroll in the system by showing a government-issued ID, an airline ID, answering some questions and registering fingerprint biometrics. Pistole wants to expand this program to other airports and enable travelers to enroll