When Carol Kaufman arrived at San Francisco International Airport for a red-eye to the East Coast, the security line of what seemed to be more than 200 people long would have generally provoked an unfavorable and stressful reaction. Instead, she proceeded directly to the Registered Traveler lane where she breezed through security in less than two minutes. The Registered Traveler lane at SFO is operated by Verified Identity Pass, Inc.’s Clear ® program. Another TSA-approved RT provider -- FLO™ (Fast Lane Option) -- registered subscribers at the 2007 NBTA International Convention & Exhibition in Boston.
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Clear® Registered Traveler Lane |
“My Clear Registered Traveler card sped me through the process! I was able to use my time at the airport more efficiently, and it made my travel experience much less stressful,” said Kaufman, Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs at The Cooper Companies and frequent business traveler.
The Registered Traveler (RT) program, which provides expedited security screening for passengers who pay an annual fee and undergo a security threat assessment, is increasingly gaining support and shining reviews among business travelers. The word is spreading, and those currently registered continue to encourage colleagues to do the same.
“I’ve recommended the program to many colleagues, as well as friends and family,” said Kaufman, who has been with the program since March 2007. “It’s a valuable benefit to any active business traveler.”
Henry Morgan, regional manager with Highline Products in Ocoee, Florida, agrees. “I cannot tell you enough how great it has been having not had to wait up to two hours in Orlando's frequent long lines,” he said. “On three occasions I would have missed my flight had I not been able to clear security in four minutes flat. All business travelers could benefit from this program.”
Although the RT program is run by private vendors, it is facilitated by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA is responsible for setting program standards, conducting the security assessment, and physical screening at security checkpoints. Vendors are responsible for enrollment, verification, and related services. TSA also requires the program to be interoperable so that approved Registered Travelers can use the RT lanes at any participating airport, regardless of the vendor with which they have subscribed. (See participating vendors at the end of this article.)
The decision to participate in the RT program lies with each individual airport authority. An airport chooses a vendor to operate the program within its authority. Currently, 13 airports in the United States currently participate in the RT program. While many of those airports that do participate are major hubs and frequently traveled, business travelers are ready to see more come on board.
Morgan believes that some airport managers are resisting RT implementation. “Business travelers and corporate travel managers in every city should let their local airport managers or board knows they want this program at their airport,” he said. “Not having it is costing business travelers big dollars in lost productivity.”
NBTA has long been a supporter of the RT program. NBTA Executive Director and COO Bill Connors has frequently addressed the benefits of the RT program before Congressional committees and other policy groups and action makers. Most recently, in comments filed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommending enhancements to the Secure Flight program, NBTA also mentioned how crucial the RT program is to business travelers and urged DHS to “review its current practices related to security checkpoint procedures for RT enrollees and lay out its vision for the role that technology can or will play in enhancing security in RT lanes.”
“For the business traveler, time is money, and this program creates a much more predictable airport travel experience and takes some of the hassle out of the hassle factor endured by frequent business travelers, while increasing security by allowing airport screeners to concentrate on unknowns,” said Connors while testifying in a July hearing before the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection of the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee. “As more and more airports come online with RT, we are confident that the number of business travel participants will only grow.”
For more information about the Registered Traveler program, visit the TSA RT web page at www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/rt.
To become a Registered Traveler, visit vendor web sites:
Clear: www.flyclear.com
FLO: www.fastlaneoption.com
FlyBy Pass: www.flybypass.com
Preferred Traveler: www.jax-vip.com
Return to Connecting News November 2007