The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may have actually been listening to all the complaints about invasive pat-downs and “naked” body scanners. Administrator John Pistol announced earlier today that the agency expects to launch a trial “Trusted Traveler” program for some passengers to opt into later this year.
Spearheaded by the U.S. Travel Association, the Trusted Traveler program is kind of like an EZPass for flyers, allowing travelers to speed through security checks by keeping their shoes on, leaving laptops in bags, and avoiding body scanners altogether. They still have to send their bags through security, but will be able to go through an expedited line.
Travelers enrolled in frequent-flier programs will likely be the first potential candidates for the fast pass. In order to qualify for trusted traveler status, fliers must undergo a background check in advance. Their special status would be indicated with a bar code on a boarding pass that will be processed by computers that are to be rolled out at select airport checkpoints later this year.
[Photo by zieak, Flickr]