Airport Check-In: Customs To Expand Registered Traveler Program USA Today - Jul 19, 2010 06:21 AM (ET)
Expect to see more ads from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, enticing travelers to join its Global Entry.

Orlando International Selects Clear To Restart Registered Traveler Lines USA Today - Jun 21, 2010 03:47 PM (ET)
Orlando International is the latest airport to announce its plan to restart lines for registered travelers, selecting Alclear as its preferred vendor to start negotiating.

Registered Traveler Program Relaunches With Clear, iQueue USA Today - Jun 15, 2010 07:00 AM (ET)
The business of getting travelers to pay for the front-of-the-line privilege at airport security checkpoints is attempting a comeback.

Denver To Host Clear's Planned Resurrection Business Travel News - Jun 04, 2010 03:39 PM (ET)
Registered Traveler provider Clear plans to relaunch security-screening lanes this fall at Denver International Airport, the first airport to reaffirm plans to host the program whose previous owners abruptly shuttered it last summer and subsequently spiraled into bankruptcy.

Airport Fast-Lane Program Clear Plans A Return At DIA Denver Business Journal - Jun 03, 2010 04:22 PM (ET)
A service touting faster passage through security checks at Denver International Airport is slated to return in the fall with the same name as the old service -- Clear -- but with a new owner.

Firm Plans To Restart Airport Security Express Service Los Angeles Times - Jun 01, 2010 05:59 AM (ET)
It has been nearly a year since a new screening service to zip passengers through airport security abruptly shut down, sending 160,000 paying customers back to regular passenger lines.

Registered Traveler Program iQueue Opens In Indianapolis USA Today - May 10, 2010 09:20 PM (ET)
Indianapolis International will be the first U.S. airport to restore the Registered Traveler program, which expedites airport security for pre-screened members.

Airport Express Security To Relaunch Orlando Sentinel - May 05, 2010 06:09 AM (ET)
The popular but financially broken Clear registered-traveler program at Orlando International Airport has gotten two boosts along the comeback trail, including Tuesday's announcement that a company intends to have the program operating again at certain U.S. airports by this fall.

A Rapid Security Check Could Be Revived At Airports New York Times - May 04, 2010 10:20 PM (ET)
The idea of a monthly subscription service that allows people to jump to the head of airport security lines by submitting to a fingerprint or iris scan may be getting another chance.

Registered Traveler Program Struggles For Revival Business Travel News - Apr 06, 2010 06:48 AM (ET)
When a firm called Alclear in late January inked an agreement to buy bankrupt Registered Traveler provider Verified Identity Pass for nearly $6 million, the would-be owner planned to re-launch the program before the end of May.

Former Registered Traveler Program Leader Files For Chapter 11 Pending A Sale Business Travel News - Dec 03, 2009 10:55 PM (ET)
Verified Identity Pass, which ceased operations this summer as the dominant operator of the Registered Traveler program and brought the expedited airport screening industry to a halt, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday as it seeks to close the imminent sale to an undisclosed "prospective buyer."

Three Companies Bid To Revive Clear Airport Service Orlando Sentinel - Oct 07, 2009 08:33 PM (ET)
One morning last June, 200,000 clients of the Clear service awoke to discover their company was suddenly gone and their $200 annual fees no longer bought swift passage through security checkpoints at Orlando International and other airports.

Three Companies Bid To Revive Clear Airport Service Orlando Sentinel - Oct 07, 2009 04:32 PM (ET)
One morning last June, 200,000 clients of the Clear service awoke to discover their company was suddenly gone and their $200 annual fees no longer bought swift passage through security checkpoints at Orlando International and other airports. The four-year "registered traveler" program, which allowed frequent fliers to buy front-of-the-line privileges at participating airports, seemed over.

Skip Heathrow Airport Wait For £50 Mirror (U.K.) - Oct 05, 2009 01:24 PM (ET)
Passengers will be able to jump long airport immigration queues by paying s50.

AAAE Testifies At Hearing On Future Of Registered Traveler Program
Sep 30, 2009 08:36 PM (ET)
A key House Homeland Security subcommittee Wednesday held a hearing to discuss the future of the Registered Traveler (RT) program.

Given its long-standing support for the RT program and role in developing the technical standards for the program and facilitating program interoperability, AAAE was invited to testify along with TSA and potential RT service providers.

AAAE’s testimony was delivered by Senior Vice President, Transportation Security Policy Carter Morris.

Lawmakers continue to express strong support for a future RT program and repeatedly pressed TSA to take steps to allow the program to move forward.

For its part, TSA reiterated its position that the agency does not oppose RT but sees no security value in the program.

Several service providers testified that they are prepared to begin RT operations in the near future.

AAAE legislative members may view the full hearing report online at http://www.aaae.org/federal_affairs/airport_legislative_alliance/hearing_reports/.

'Clear' Security Service May Return At Airports New York Times - Sep 30, 2009 04:08 PM (ET)
Verified Identity Pass, a company founded by the entrepreneur Steven Brill, offered travelers a tempting proposition: pay up to $199 a year, submit to a fingerprint and iris scan, and skip to the front of interminable airport security lines.

Airport To Let Pre-Approved Travelers Bypass Security Honolulu Advertiser - Aug 17, 2009 05:46 PM (ET)
Honolulu International Airport will become one of 13 airports across the country that will allow pre-approved, "trusted air travelers" to bypass normal security measures for international travel starting on Au1g. 24, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

NBTA, Flo Attempt To Revive Reg. Traveler Business Travel News - Jul 28, 2009 12:10 PM (ET)
Since dominant Registered Traveler provider Verified Identity Pass in late June abruptly halted operations, some customers have sued the company for breach of contract, one of its competitors, Vigilant Solutions, also folded, and the remaining provider, Flo Corp., suspended operations at the only airport where it operated.

Customers Seek What Was Lost In Travel Company's Closing Wall Street Journal - Jun 29, 2009 10:26 AM (ET)
Even as some travelers bemoan the demise of a major registered-traveler company - and with it their ability to jump to the front of airport security lines - others are wishing they hadn't just paid $199 for a year of the now-discontinued service.

Clear RT Program Closes Down
Jun 23, 2009 09:25 PM (ET)
Verified Identity Pass, which operates the Clear registered traveler program in 18 airports, shut down its operations late Monday. A message on the company’s Web site said the company “had been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.”

The Web site notice said that, “Applicant and Member data is currently secured in accordance with the Transportation Security Administration’s Security, Privacy and Compliance Standards. Verified Identity Pass, Inc. will continue to secure such information and will take appropriate steps to delete the information.” The company also said that, “At the present time, because of its financial condition, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. cannot issue refunds.”

Hartsfield's Clear Site Is Company's Busiest Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Mar 11, 2009 08:25 PM (ET)
The company that provides paid security lanes at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport said Wednesday that its Atlanta site has become the busiest of its 20 operations. Officials with Clear, which charges customers about $200 a year for the guarantee they can clear security in five minutes, said 100,000 passengers have used the Hartsfield-Jackson paid lanes since they began operating five months ago.

Clear Opens RT Lanes At Boston Logan
Oct 16, 2008 06:35 AM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler said it has opened lanes at Delta’s Terminal A security checkpoint at Boston Logan International. Clear also operates an enrollment center in Terminal A.

'Clear' Lanes Debut At Atlanta Airport Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Oct 01, 2008 08:36 PM (ET)
The world’s busiest airport officially opened its first paid, high-speed security lane Wednesday morning, a potential boon to entrepreneur Steven Brill and thousands of weary road warriors in metro Atlanta. Brill’s New York-based company, Clear, promises its paying customers a five-minute trip through the security gates at the 20 airports where it now operates.

Clear and Vigilant Solutions Reach Interoperability Fee Agreement
Sep 18, 2008 07:14 PM (ET)
Registered Traveler (RT) service providers Clear and Vigilant Solutions announced they have signed a reciprocal fee agreement. That agreement will allow cardholders from Vigilant's two programs in Jacksonville, Fla., and Gulfport, Miss., use their cards at Clear's 17 airports, including those in New York, Atlanta (opening this month), San Francisco, Orlando and Denver airports and for Clear members to be able to use their cards at the Jacksonville and Gulfport-Biloxi airports.

The agreement provides that each company will pay the other an interoperability cost sharing fee (ICSF) each time one of their cardholders uses a lane operated by the other company. The ICSF is based on the cost of operating RT lanes. Both companies' kiosks at the RT lanes are programmed to record the company that issued the card being used, but in order to adhere to strict privacy protections and avoid tracking RT members' travel, the kiosks do not record the identity of an individual.

"This is a landmark step in the growth of this industry," said Clear founder and CEO Steven Brill. "When the program was first conceived," Brill explained, "the American Association of Airport Executives convened an 'interoperability consortium' of industry participants that created a model for this interoperability fee based on the sharing of the costs of operating the RT lane, divided by the number of people using them, which produces a number that is called a 'cost-per-verification.' The Clear-Vigilant agreement puts that model in action," Brill continued, "and in doing so, ensures the growth of a competitive national industry whose customers will be able to use the national network regardless of which of the competitors' cards they have purchased, while also ensuring that each company is compensated fairly for its costs in building and maintaining the national network."

Clear To Open Fast Pass Lanes At Boston Logan's Terminal A
Sep 18, 2008 07:13 PM (ET)
Clear, the Registered Traveler service provider, announced it will open its signature fast pass lanes at Terminal A security checkpoints at Boston Logan International this month. All Clear members will have fast access through the Clear lanes at Boston's Terminal A, where Delta Air Lines' departure gates are located, as well as at 18 other airports nationwide.

"Boston Logan International Airport is one of the country's busiest -- which is tailor-made for the benefits of Clear," said Clear's CEO Steven Brill. "Our relationship with Delta in Boston represents a significant expansion of our fast pass program. We'll be continuing our rollout at Delta terminals this year and in 2009 at other major airports," he added.

TSA Concludes Registered Traveler Test
Jul 28, 2008 04:53 PM (ET)
TSA on July 24 announced the official conclusion of the latest pilot phase of the Registered Traveler (RT) program, known as the Registered Traveler Interoperability Pilot (RTIP).

Launched in 2006, the Registered Traveler Interoperability Pilot was the second phase of testing related to the RT program and was limited to a maximum of 20 airports. There are currently 19 airports with operational RT programs and approximately 150,000 RT participants.

With this announcement, the RT program is no longer a pilot program and can be expanded to any interested airport. Airports still need to contract with private RT service providers approved by TSA to implement the program at their facilities. RT service providers are responsible for enrollment of RT applicants, biometric identification verification of RT participants at the checkpoint and other related services.

Under the permanent RT program, TSA still will be responsible for setting program standards, physical screening at TSA checkpoints, and certain forms of oversight. However, TSA no longer will conduct the Security Threat Assessment (STA) that was part of the background check for participants and no longer will charge the $28 STA fee.

The Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium (RTIC), which was formed by airports and AAAE in 2005 to create a permanent and interoperable RT program, will continue to work with TSA, airports and the RT service providers to ensure that the permanent RT program builds upon airports’ successful experiences during the RTIP and continues to provide interoperable biometric-based identification verification of RT cardholders at participating airports.

TSA Loosens Registered Traveler Reins, Eliminates Security Fee Business Travel News Online - Jul 24, 2008 07:08 PM (ET)
The Transportation Security Administration today said it would abandon its 20-airport cap on the number of Registered Traveler national programs and shed its $28 fee for conducting enrollee threat assessments, saying the program will shift from "pilot" mode next week. TSA today also said Registered Traveler providers have the authority to develop their own interoperability relationships within the next 12 months, though technical interoperability standards must be maintained. That means Registered Traveler vendors—including Verified Identity Pass' Clear program and Flo Corp.'s RTgo program—can choose to not accept rival program members at their lanes.

Delta To Begin Registered Traveler Program USA Today - Jun 23, 2008 05:41 PM (ET)
Delta Air Lines is planning to become the first major U.S. carrier to offer its passengers the option of paying for speedier security lines. Delta says it will start the Registered Traveler program this summer at terminals in New York's Kennedy and LaGuardia airports and in Los Angeles International Airport. Registered Traveler offers passengers who pay $128 a year can go through an exclusive line at airport checkpoints that is typically shorter than other security lines.

Clear Fast Pass Lane Opens At SLC International Airport
May 30, 2008 12:43 PM (ET)
Clear, operated by Verified Identity Pass, has opened an expedited security lane at Salt Lake City International Airport. In addition to Salt Lake City, the company operates fast pass lanes at 17 other airports nationwide.

Airport Moves Step Closer To Security Fast Lanes Atlanta Journal-Constitution - May 13, 2008 05:21 PM (ET)
New York-based Clear said the Atlanta airport has picked the company to run a high-speed security line for paying members, although the pilot program still will require approval from the City Council. The tentative approval means the world's busiest airport could soon have one or two designated lanes handling passengers who hope to breeze through security in a few minutes.

Salt Lake City Selects Clear RT Program
Apr 15, 2008 09:46 PM (ET)
Clear announced that it was chosen to operate Registered Traveler lanes at Salt Lake City International. All airlines operating from Salt Lake City and their passengers will be able to use Clear’s fast pass lanes before this summer, the company said.

“We are pleased to offer customers another option for efficiently navigating the security checkpoints,” commented Maureen Riley, executive director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, “It will streamline the process for all users.”

Separately, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International said it would spend $25 million to increase the number of security lanes at the airport and would defer a decision on implementing an RT program until the effectiveness of the new lanes can be evaluated.

The construction project involves increasing the number of lanes at the existing Terminal North checkpoint from three to six, removing outdated screening equipment and adding four new lanes to Terminal South, the airport said. These changes will bring the net total to 32 lanes for security screening. The current number of checkpoint locations is 28.

Construction of the new lanes is scheduled to be completed before the end of the 2008 summer travel season.

Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta, A.A.E., said, “We are partnering with the Transportation Security Administration to have these new security lanes fully staffed. We are confident that through this partnership we will increase the amount of passengers screened per hour, which will decrease wait times while also maintaining a high level of security.”

SLC International Airport To Speed Up Security Inspections With Clear Lanes Salt Lake Tribune - Apr 15, 2008 03:51 PM (ET)
Travelers at Salt Lake City International Airport will have a new option for navigating security by this summer. The airport announced it will use "Clear Lanes" operated by Verified Identity Pass Inc. The company issues passes to pre-approved travelers to go through lines that use fingerprint and iris scans to determine identities. The pass costs travelers $100 per year, plus a $28 Transportation Security Administration vetting fee.

Delay For Speedy Lanes In Atlanta USA Today - Apr 14, 2008 09:20 PM (ET)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, the world's busiest airport, said Friday that it will postpone its plans to establish Registered Traveler lanes. Instead, the airport will add four security lanes, bringing the total to 32, by the end of summer. The airport "will defer its decision on a pilot program until we have experience with the new security checkpoint configuration," said Ben DeCosta, airport general manager, in a statement.

Registered Traveler Program Hub Surpasses 100,000 Enrollments
Apr 03, 2008 02:21 PM (ET)
AAAE’s Central Information Management System (CIMS), the secure, efficient and trusted network that links airports running the TSA Registered Traveler (RT) program and their locally contracted service providers, recently processed its 100,000th passenger enrollment record, a significant milestone for the growing RT program.

CIMS allows approved service providers to deliver interoperable RT services at participating airports across the country. This means that a passenger can enroll in any provider’s RT program and seamlessly use all of the RT lanes around the country.

“A reliable, interoperable Registered Traveler program that meets the highest security standards is a significant benefit to airports and the traveling public,” said AAAE President Charles Barclay. “We are committed to maintaining the efficiency and integrity of the RT program by keeping CIMS working flawlessly and continuing to work closely with the RT service providers and TSA.”

Currently, AAAE, through its Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) subsidiary, has agreements with five RT service providers. Three of them, Verified Identity Pass (Clear), Unisys, and Vigilant, offer RT services at a total of 17 U.S. airports.

“Enabling each Registered Traveler member to use any participating airport’s service offering is a key part of what makes the program appealing to travelers,” said Steven Brill, CEO and founder of Clear. “We now have 128,000 people signed up online, and more than 100,000 have now taken the next step and completed the in-person phase of enrollment and been sent through the CIMS. AAAE and its CIMS have been performing flawlessly in their role of connecting Clear customers to the Registered Traveler program. In fact, even though our volume has soared in recent weeks, they are actually getting faster in processing our new members.”

The CIMS, part of TSC, is responsible for several key RT functions, including processing all records, interfacing with the TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials.

The accuracy of the CIMS is critical to the efficiency and security of the RT program. By binding a registered traveler’s identity to a biometrically verifiable and encrypted smart card, airports and TSA can be sure, every time, that the appropriate individual is cleared and receiving the benefits of the program. Thanks to CIMS, the RT program has never permitted someone to go through an RT checkpoint that has not been vetted and approved by the TSA background screening system and verified as being currently eligible to receive RT benefits.

AAAE Meets With DHS Secretary Chertoff
Apr 01, 2008 10:24 PM (ET)
AAAE President Charles Barclay and Senior Vice President for Security Policy Carter Morris, along with approved Registered Traveler (RT) service providers and other aviation organizations, met Monday with DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and TSA Administrator Kip Hawley to discuss the progress of the RT program.

At the meeting, Barclay highlighted the collaborative Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium (RTIC) effort among airports, RT service providers and TSA that helped to create the RT program. He urged Chertoff to continue to engage the RTIC and its airport members as the RT program expands and evolves.

The group also discussed ways in which DHS and TSA can improve the RT program, including allowing the RT card to be presented in lieu of a government-issued photo ID at the passenger screening checkpoint at airports participating in the RT program. Currently, RT participants must present their government-issued photo IDs and also use their RT cards for identification verification at the RT kiosk.

The RT program currently is operational at 17 airport locations across the country with approximately 100,000 individual RT participants.

Express Security Lands At Airport San Francisco Chronicle - Mar 27, 2008 11:40 AM (ET)
Oakland International Airport will open express lanes through security lines beginning today for travelers willing to pay $100 and submit to a background check. The lanes offer travelers who register for the Clear program and pass the background check to skip to the front of the security line, although they still must submit to the full screening. A Clear lane will open in each of Oakland's two terminals.

To Speed Past Airport Security, Some Fliers Barely Lift A Finger Washington Post - Mar 24, 2008 11:41 AM (ET)
Fast-pass security lanes officially opened at Reagan National and Dulles airports Wednesday for travelers with special clearance. Here's how it works: Fliers undergo a Transportation Security Administration background check and have personal data, plus iris and fingerprint scans, put on a card.

AAAE Applauds Expansion Of Registered Traveler Program To Nation's Capital
Mar 20, 2008 10:50 AM (ET)
AAAE President Charles Barclay Wednesday applauded the expansion of the Registered Traveler (RT) program with the opening of RT lanes at Washington-Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

“The expansion of the Registered Traveler program to key airports in the nation’s capital will further highlight the program’s value in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of screening operations and in serving the needs of the traveling public,” Barclay said. “Airport executives look forward to continuing our work with TSA and service providers to make the program even more effective as it grows to additional airports across the country.”

AAAE’s ties to the RT program are extensive. Barclay was part of a select group of industry officials invited by then-DOT Secretary Norm Mineta to participate in the Secretary’s Rapid Response Team on Airport Security created following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Creating an RT program was one of the team’s recommendations, and the concept was later endorsed by the 9/11 Commission.

AAAE has long been active in advocating for the program on behalf of its members. Through the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium, the association was instrumental in bringing airport executives and numerous other private sector interests, including the RT vendor and biometrics technology communities, together to work collaboratively with the TSA on developing technical specifications and business rules under which the program now operates.

Additionally, AAAE, through its Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC, http://www.tsc-csc.com) and in partnership with the Security Biometric Clearing Network (SBCN, http://www.sbcn.com), plays a key role with the RT program through operation of the world’s most advanced interoperable identity management system of travelers’ biometric data – the Central Information Management System (CIMS). The CIMS ensures interoperability, security and efficiency in the RT program and is responsible for several key functions, such as processing all records, interfacing with the TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials.

“AAAE and the TSC play a critical role in ensuring the RT program operates in accordance with the highest federal standards of security and in a manner that provides airport operators and consumers with critical choices in the marketplace,” Barclay said. “The TSC Central Information Management System ensures that multiple RT cards work in multiple airport locations and that those cards work each and every time. The continued success of the program depends on that kind of consistency, and CIMS provides it seamlessly. We’re proud of the fact that we’ve been able to provide that functionality at a fraction of the cost of similar systems operating for other programs.”

The accuracy of the CIMS is critical to the efficiency and security of the program. By binding a registered traveler’s identity to a biometrically verifiable and encrypted smart card, airports and TSA can be sure, every time, that the appropriate individual is cleared and receiving the benefits of the program. Thanks to CIMS, the RT program has never permitted someone to go through an RT checkpoint that has not been vetted and approved by the TSA background screening system and verified as being currently eligible to receive RT benefits.

TSA Testing Three-Speed Screenings Business Travel News - Mar 18, 2008 05:47 PM (ET)
The Transportation Security Administration next month will roll out to six additional airports a pilot program that lets travelers select security lanes geared to their comfort with checkpoint screening processes. Though the free program in part aims to move frequent travelers more quickly through security checkpoints—the underlying premise of the fee-based Registered Traveler program—TSA said the "Self-Select" lanes would not undermine Registered Traveler.

Flying Through Airport Security Wall Street Journal - Feb 27, 2008 12:41 AM (ET)
On a crowded Tuesday morning at Orlando International Airport, Lou Stanislao, a 61-year-old project manager and frequent flier, had his fingerprint scanned at a kiosk designated for "registered travelers." His name popped up on the screen, allowing him to move into another line -- where he doffed his shoes and handed over his bag for scanning. Next, he showed his ID and ticket to a security agent and picked up his belongings. In all, he breezed through airport security in five minutes.

Vigilant Solution's Software To Be Used At Mississippi Airport Jacksonville (Fla.) Business Journal - Feb 15, 2008 06:32 AM (ET)
FlyBy Pass LLC will use software developed by Vigilant Solutions LLC to run its program offering expedited security screening at airports. Jacksonville Beach-based Vigilant Solutions operates Preferred Traveler, an enhanced version of the Transportation Security Administration's Registered Traveler program, at Jacksonville International Airport and Gulfport-Biloxi (Miss.)International Airport.

Perfectly 'Clear' Washington Times - Feb 13, 2008 03:37 PM (ET)
Frequent fliers started getting their eyes and fingerprints scanned at two Washington-area airports yesterday for a fast track through security checkpoints. Passengers now can have their fingerprints and irises digitally encoded into a Registered Traveler card at airport enrollment stations.

AAAE's TSC Announces Contract With RT Service Provider FLO
Feb 07, 2008 08:02 PM (ET)
AAAE announced Thursday that FLO Corp. has contracted to use AAAE’s Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC)—including its Transportation Security Administration-designated Central Information Management System (CIMS)—as part of the company’s participation in the Registered Traveler (RT) program.

Luke Thomas, FLO executive vice president, stated, “We are pleased to enter into this agreement for use of the CIMS program; AAAE’s leadership in building out the required infrastructure to support the growing RT industry is laudable. The program allows service providers such as FLO to aggressively drive adoption from the 1 percent or so of the addressable market that has been enrolled thus far to a truly national program. Moreover, this agreement will clear the way for FLO to complete its acquisition of certain assets related to Unisys’s rtGO RT business.”

FLO is the fifth RT vendor to sign an agreement with the TSC. AAAE Senior Vice President Carter Morris is encouraged by the growing number of partners working with the TSC for CIMS services. “The CIMS has had a remarkable start building on the TSC’s proven track record supporting many critical Transportation Security Administration vetting and credentialing programs for the aviation industry,” Morris said. “The Clearinghouse CIMS system has enrolled more than 70,000 registered travelers from three unique companies that provide the TSA-approved service on a network that seamlessly brings together TSA, airport checkpoints and their customers.

“We are pleased with the progress CIMS has made since its launch,” Morris continued. “More importantly, we’re proud to be working in partnership with TSA, airports, and a growing number of service providers to support the ultimate goal of simultaneously improving security and efficiency at the nation’s airports.”

The TSC began operating the CIMS in November 2006. The CIMS, the world’s most advanced information management system of travelers’ biometric data, is necessary to ensure interoperability, security and efficiency in the RT program. The CIMS performs several key functions, including processing all records, interfacing with the TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials.

Most importantly, the CIMS is what makes the RT program interoperable, and seamless, for travelers. Through the CIMS, vendors such as FLO Corporation offer RT services at participating airports, and passengers enrolled in any airport’s program can take advantage of every airport’s program.

Currently, 14 airports have operational RT programs, and more airports have signed agreements with vendors to offer the service. The TSC and its CIMS play an integral part in each program through service contracts with all of the RT vendors.

The RT program provides expedited security screening processes and an extra layer of security for passengers who volunteer biometric and biographic information to a TSA-approved RT vendor and successfully complete a TSA-conducted security threat assessment. RT is a private sector program, facilitated by the TSA.

Clear Opens Fast Pass Lanes
Jan 31, 2008 07:04 AM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler Wednesday announced the opening of the fast pass lanes at Denver International Airport (DIA). Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper demonstrated the service at the Jeppesen Terminal’s south side by using his Clear card to pass through airport security in about two minutes. The express security lanes also are open on the A Bridge. The Clear lanes on the north side of the Jeppesen Terminal will open in March. All departing passengers at all airlines will be served by the Clear lanes.

"Clear's airport security fast-pass service is a great example of how we can use innovative technology to further enhance customer service at Denver International Airport," said Hickenlooper. "Participating travelers can now speed through security checkpoints as safely and securely as ever.”

“This has been a much-requested service, and we are pleased that it’s now available to our passengers,” said DIA Aviation Manager Turner West.

The opening comes as Clear announces a multi-year marketing partnership with Denver-based Frontier Airlines to offer Clear to Frontier’s EarlyReturns loyalty program members. Frontier has purchased memberships to provide Summit Tier members a complimentary year of Clear beginning this February. All other EarlyReturns members receive an extra month of Clear when they enroll at flyclear.com/frontier.

DIA Lanes Faster For Some Denver Post - Jan 30, 2008 02:13 PM (ET)
Registered Traveler lanes open at Denver International Airport this morning, allowing those who pay a fee to go through a separate, potentially faster security line. To kick off the program, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper will use a card at DIA to verify his identity for Registered Traveler, a federal Transportation Security Administration program that allows private companies to register approved passengers to go through a separate security line.

Gulfport-Biloxi To Add RT Program
Jan 29, 2008 09:52 PM (ET)
Vigilant Solutions will introduce its Preferred Traveler Registered Traveler program at Gulfport-Biloxi (Miss.) International on Jan. 30, the company said.

The program will have three levels of membership, offering services that range from access to expedited security lines in the Silver membership category to access to a VIP lounge and business center in the Platinum level.

Flying Through DIA Security Rocky Mountain News (Denver) - Jan 29, 2008 02:23 PM (ET)
Members of a new program at Denver International Airport will be able to breeze through security checkpoints starting this week. The Clear Registered Traveler program, operated by Verified Identity Pass, officially launches Wednesday morning at DIA with a demonstration by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

Clearly, Some Are Different Washington Post - Jan 28, 2008 05:20 PM (ET)
Two of Washington's airports -- Dulles and Reagan National -- will soon be part of the federal government's Registered Traveler program, which offers passengers the happy prospect of getting through security lines faster, swifter, better. (Ninety thousand of them and counting have enrolled.)

Some Oakland Airport Passengers Will Have A Clear Advantage East Bay (Calif.) Business Times - Jan 28, 2008 06:43 AM (ET)
Frequent fliers will soon be able to take the first step toward improving their travel lives at Oakland International Airport with the installation of an express passenger security lane that should be operational by April. The Port of Oakland's board of commissioners, which oversees airport operations, has approved the express lane, which is similar to lanes already available at the airport's two main rivals - San Francisco and Mineta San Jose international airports.

Getting Through Airport Security Could Get A Lot Easier 9News.com (Colo.) - Jan 22, 2008 02:15 PM (ET)
The card that helps you clear airport security in about four minutes is now much easier to get. The Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver has opened a new enrollment station in its hotel lobby.

Oakland Airport Selects Verified Identity Pass For RT Program
Jan 22, 2008 11:03 AM (ET)
Oakland (Calif.) International selected Verified Identity Pass to operate its RT program. The airport said that it will allocate space at the passenger screening checkpoints in Terminals 1 and 2 to allow RT enrollment stations to open next month.

D.C. Airport Pass Speeds Travelers Clear To The Gate Washington Post - Jan 17, 2008 03:23 PM (ET)
Washington area travelers will soon be able to speed more quickly through airport security if they are willing to pay a fee, provide personal information to the government and allow their fingerprints and eyes to be scanned at checkpoints. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Reagan National and Dulles International airports, awarded a contract yesterday to a company that operates the federal government's security program, which is known as Registered Traveler.

Security shortcut for frequent fliers coming to Oakland airport San Francisco Chronicle - Jan 17, 2008 11:45 AM (ET)
A business that offers travelers a shortcut through airport security lines has been selected to operate the program at Oakland International Airport beginning in April. The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners, which operates the airport, chose Clear to operate its registered traveler program.

Airports Authority Creates Screening Fast Lane WTOP Radio (Washington) - Jan 16, 2008 03:37 PM (ET)
A fast lane will be added to security screening lines at local airports thanks to a new national registration program approved by authorities Wednesday. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority expects to have the Registered Traveler Program up and running at Ronald Reagan Washington National and Dulles International Airports by spring.

Registration To Ease International Travel Federal Computer Week - Jan 04, 2008 04:45 PM (ET)
International travelers will soon have the option of registering in advance to speed their passage through security checkpoints at U.S. airports, thanks to provisions in the fiscal 2008 omnibus spending package signed into law Dec. 27, 2007. Under the legislation, officials would publish guidelines for an international registered traveler program within a year.

Security Program Expands Florida Today (Melbourne) - Dec 13, 2007 03:58 PM (ET)
Denver International Airport has installed the Clear security screening technology, and will open it to the public at the end of January. An enrollment center is open there, where people can apply for their Clear safe traveler identification, which enables passengers to get through airport security checks much more quickly.

Clear RT Begins Enrollment At Denver
Dec 12, 2007 06:15 AM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler and Denver International announced that a Clear enrollment center is now open at the airport.

Multiple enrollment stations will open in early January at pre- and post-security sites in the airport and at locations downtown. Clear will begin operation of the express security lanes at the airport later in January.

Clear RT Opens Center At Denver Hyatt
Dec 05, 2007 08:46 AM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler (RT) announced that it has opened an enrollment center at the Denver Hyatt Regency Tech Center through a partnership with Hyatt Hotels.

In October, Denver International said that a registered traveler program would be launched at the airport after the holidays. Clear said it will operate the RT lanes at Denver International, beginning in early January. An airport enrollment center will be installed at the airport this month.

Pass To Speed Trip Through DIA Security Denver Post - Dec 04, 2007 05:59 PM (ET)
Travelers looking for the fast lane at Denver International Airport can actually start at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center. The Denver Tech Center hotel has installed a kiosk from Clear, a New York-based company that provides an airport-security fast-pass program.

Clear to Expand Fast Lane Network To Denver International
Oct 30, 2007 10:48 AM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler (RT) announced that it has been chosen in a competitive bidding process to operate Clear lanes at Denver International. Denver area enrollment stations will open in the next month in cooperation with Hyatt Hotels, and Clear's express security lanes will launch this winter. All airlines operating from the airport, and their passengers, will be able to use Clear's fast pass lanes.

Clear RT cards currently are accepted at Albany, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Little Rock (Ark.), New York Kennedy International, Newark, Orlando, Reno, San Francisco, San Jose and Westchester County (N.Y.) airports

Clear RT Opens Enrollment Center
Oct 02, 2007 09:09 PM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler (RT) said it will open an enrollment center at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco. The company in August opened Clear lanes at San Francisco International, and travelers began using their Clear cards in September.

Grand Hyatt San Francisco is the third Hyatt to accommodate a Clear enrollment kiosk. Both the Hyatt Regency San Francisco at Embarcadero Center and Grand Hyatt New York at Grand Central Terminal currently host Clear enrollment centers.

In addition to San Francisco International, Clear RT cards currently are accepted at Albany, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Little Rock (Ark.), New York Kennedy International, Newark, Orlando, Reno, San Jose and Westchester County (N.Y.) airports.

Registered-Traveler Lanes Making Airport Security Faster East Bay (Calif.) Business Times - Oct 01, 2007 09:33 AM (ET)
San Francisco International Airport this month joined Mineta San Jose International and a handful of other airports nationally in opening Clear lanes that speed registered passengers through security quickly, and, to the relief of weary travelers, without their having to remove their shoes. Oakland International Airport will soon join them.

AirTran To Become First U.S. Airline To Sponsor Reg. Traveler Lanes Business Travel News - Sep 25, 2007 04:10 PM (ET)
Although most domestic carriers have been reluctant to partner with Registered Traveler providers, and their lobbying group, the Air Transport Association, has remained opposed to the program, providers said they are seeking ways to partner with carriers without compromising airline status programs that get elite travelers to the front of the line. A few foreign carriers, including Air France, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, have sponsored lanes in conjunction with Registered Traveler provider Verified Identity Pass.

Clear RT Opens At San Francisco
Sep 19, 2007 07:18 AM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler (RT) announced the opening of its express security lanes at both domestic terminals at San Francisco International.

Last month, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom officially opened the Clear enrollment stations at the airport, and applications for membership reached into the thousands. The Clear lanes in San Francisco’s International Terminal will open in mid-October, completing the airport’s rollout of the program.

San Francisco is the 11th airport with Clear RT service. Later this month, LaGuardia will become the 12th airport to implement Clear, the company said.

LaGuardia Opens Registered Traveler Enrollement Station
Aug 23, 2007 12:05 PM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler (RT) announced the opening of the Clear enrollment station at LaGuardia airport’s Central Terminal where Clear will launch RT lanes in September.

With the addition of LaGuardia, travelers at all three New York-area airports will be able to access Clear’s fast pass lanes.

Clear’s enrollment station at LaGuardia is located on the departure level of the Central Terminal, next to the checkpoint for B Gates.

RT Enrollment Begins At San Francisco
Aug 17, 2007 05:33 PM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler (RT) enrollment stations opened last week at San Francisco International and the program will be in operation beginning in September.

Clear’s enrollment stations at San Francisco International are located in Terminals 1 and 3. The company will expand enrollment to the International Terminal this fall. In addition to the enrollment stations within the airport, Clear has opened enrollment kiosks at the Hyatt Regency (Embarcadero).

Fast Check To Debut At S.F. Airport San Jose Mercury News - Aug 17, 2007 03:20 PM (ET)
Passengers who use Clear registered-traveler cards to speed through security checkpoints at Mineta San Jose International Airport will soon be able to use their cards at San Francisco International. Verified Identity, the company that operates the Clear program, opened two enrollment stations at San Francisco International on Wednesday.

New Program To Let Some Fliers Breeze Through Westchester airport Security Lines Westchester (N.Y.) Journal News - Aug 17, 2007 10:38 AM (ET)
Frustrated by how long it takes to get through airport security? A new program at Westchester County Airport will soon allow certain travelers to breeze past the lines.

SFO To Unveil Speedy Security Scan For Travelers San Francisco Business Times - Aug 13, 2007 01:02 PM (ET)
San Francisco's airport might do big business by allowing some travelers to cut to the front of the security line. San Francisco International Airport signed a deal to take part in the nation's registered traveler program, which allows federally approved flyers to get quick security screening.

Little Rock National Airport to Open Registered Travel Lanes Arkansas Business - Aug 09, 2007 04:19 PM (ET)
The Little Rock National Airport on Wednesday took its first steps toward installing registered travel lanes, allowing for expedited access through airport security to registered members. Clear, one of the nation's registered traveler lane providers, opened an enrollment center at the airport on Tuesday.

TSA's Hawley Questioned About RT
Aug 06, 2007 12:58 AM (ET)
TSA Chief Kip Hawley faced aggressive questioning from members of a House homeland security subcommittee last week regarding the future of the Registered Traveler (RT) program. A number of lawmakers and members of the vendor community contend that TSA doesn’t approve new technology fast enough or provide screening benefits to program participants.

Subcommittee members who support the concept of the RT program pledged to push TSA to provide additional support for the program. Lawmakers want TSA to do more, so that the promises of the program, including defined screening benefits for program participants, can be achieved.

RT service provider Clear/VIP CEO Steve Brill testified that TSA has failed to approve “shoe sniffing” equipment that is being developed by VIP partner company GE. He also said that the agency requires more identification for program participants than for other passengers and refuses to exempt program participants from secondary screening.

Hawley told panel members that he is not comfortable providing additional screening benefits to program participants, given that the GE shoe scanning technology has not yet met standards established by the agency. Further, he noted that program participants are checked against terrorist watch lists only, as opposed to more vigorous background checks.

Hawley also noted that, “As much as the RT concept appeals to all of us, it would be security folly to reduce security based only on the lack of prior criminal or discovered terrorist activity. The reality of the ‘clean skinned’ terrorist—a terrorist without criminal history or identification on a watch list—was made abundantly clear in July of 2005 when such terrorists attacked the London transit system. After prioritizing our security initiatives on a risk basis, TSA decided that taxpayer resources were best applied to more critical needs than RT. However, given the extraordinary public interest in the program, and the appealing logic behind it, TSA was willing to give wide latitude to private sector entrepreneurs, airlines and airports if they were able to construct an RT program that did not increase risk to the system. It was this private sector-led program that TSA announced in February of 2006.”

'Fast Lane' Service At Albany Airport Gets 200 Subscribers Albany Business Review - Aug 02, 2007 02:44 PM (ET)
A new security fast lane at Albany International Airport has lured more than 200 subscribers to the $99.95 service. The new iris and fingerprint scan system and service was introduced at the Albany airport this week, but frequent fliers have been signing up since mid July.

New Program Claims Faster Passage Through Security At Albany Airport Berkshire Eagle (Mass.) - Aug 02, 2007 11:03 AM (ET)
The Albany International Airport will become the seventh airport in the nation today to adopt the Registered Traveler Program. The program is developed by Clear, a leading service provider of registered traveler (RT) lanes at national airports.

Senate approves Registered Traveler For Non-U.S. Fliers Washington Technology - Jul 31, 2007 02:13 PM (ET)
Foreign visitors to the United States would be able to sign up voluntarily as international registered travelers under a provision in the Homeland Security Department spending bill passed by the Senate last week. The international program would operate similarly to the existing Registered Traveler program for domestic travelers within the U.S., sponsored by airports and DHS.

Survey Reveals Overwhelming Support For Registered Traveler
Jul 31, 2007 10:23 AM (ET)
Results and analysis from an airport security survey of travel industry professionals as well as individual travelers were released today. The Airport Passenger Screening Survey, the first major survey of its kind in two years, was commissioned by FLO Corporation and conducted by Business Travel Coalition (BTC) during July 2007. (Survey results can be accessed at http://www.fastlaneoption.com/.)

Consistent with the 2005 Airport Passenger Screening Survey, also conducted by BTC, participants indicate overwhelming support for the Registered Traveler (RT) program. Some 82% of survey participants indicated that they would like the airlines they travel on to embrace RT. A vast majority, 80% of respondents, would pay $99 for a RT membership in return for consistently expeditious security checkpoint processing, without any other in- lane benefits such as not having to remove shoes, laptops and coats.

FLO Corporation Chief Executive Officer Glenn Argenbright stated, "Travelers are indicating that not having to remove shoes or laptops would be a convenience. However, what is truly important to them is expeditious security lane processing that is predictable and consistent from airport to airport such that a business executive would not have to leave a customer's office 45 minutes early because of not knowing what to expect at an airport on any given day."

Importantly, the survey also found that 38% of survey participants would be Extremely or Very Interested in paying $199 to upgrade from a basic RT membership offering to a premier RT membership with benefits beyond security processing that could include reserved parking at one's home airport, remote baggage check-in at hotels, airport concession discounts and global assistance. Only 6% said they were not interested at all.

"It is true that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pilot programs, and early airport RT implementations, were necessarily stripped down initiatives that only envisioned "front-of-the-line" benefits, perhaps including not having to remove shoes or laptops -- what BTC calls RT 1.0. These survey results, however, from a customer service perspective, deeply underscore the promise of RT 2.0, a more mature, customer-responsive benefits platform," said BTC Chairman Kevin Mitchell.

TSA for some time has encouraged RT service providers to be creative in developing other value-added RT benefits not related to the security checkpoint. These new survey results validate TSA's instincts that to have the broadest possible commercial appeal, consumers would like the options of membership packages with different benefits at varying price points. The broader the appeal, the faster RT can reach critical mass at the national level and, as such, fulfill the TSA RT security mission of moving travelers quickly into secure areas of airports.

BWI Is Considering Joining Registered Traveler Program Baltimore Examiner - Jul 27, 2007 03:23 PM (ET)
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is considering joining this fall with other airports that have implemented a program that speeds up passengers’ wait time at security checkpoints. More than 45,000 customers have signed up through the Clear Registered Traveler program, and six airports use RT lanes, as well as three airlines at selected airports.

Registered Traveler Update New York Times - Jul 24, 2007 02:49 PM (ET)
The Registered Travel program continues to emerge — slowly. Verified Identity Pass, which runs Clear, the first version of the program to be in operation, said it would open and market a Clear lane at La Guardia Airport in New York in a partnership with AirTran Airways.

Clear, AirTran Begin RT Partnership
Jul 20, 2007 06:39 PM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler (RT) and AirTran on Friday announced an RT partnership that includes the operation of fast lanes at LaGuardia’s Central Terminal and nationwide co-marketing efforts.

The Clear-AirTran Airways co-marketing partnership includes large-scale e-mail efforts, advertising campaigns and on-board promotions to be rolled out nationwide, the two companies said.

The enrollment center at LaGuardia, where fingerprints and iris images will be recorded, will open in August, and the program will be fully operational in September, Clear said.

Clear currently has fast lanes in place at Orlando, New York Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, San Jose, Cincinnati and Indianapolis airports. Clear also opened an enrollment center at Albany (N.Y.) International, which will launch a Clear lane in early August. Additionally, Little Rock National and Westchester (N.Y.) County Airports also will open Clear lanes in August. The company further announced that it has been selected by the San Francisco Airport Commission to open Clear lanes at San Francisco International, subject to final approval of its contract.

OIA-Tested Program Set To Spread Its Wings, Soar Orlando Sentinel - Jul 19, 2007 04:01 PM (ET)
A registered-traveler system that began two years ago at Orlando International Airport and allows paying customers to skip to the front of security lines will announce today that it is expanding into more airports across the country. Executives behind the program, known as Clear, say they will begin processing customers today at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

Plan Aims To Reduce Airport Security Hassles Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Jul 17, 2007 12:29 PM (ET)
A program that promises to let paying passengers breeze through security gates without taking off their shoes — and possibly their overcoats — will be tested at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport by fall. solicit proposals from private companies to test the "registered traveler" program at the world's busiest airport, a trial run that will be closely watched by the aviation industry nationwide.

Atlanta Airport To Try Registered Flyer Program AP - Jul 16, 2007 10:47 AM (ET)
A program that lets airline passengers pay to go through security gates more quickly will be tested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by the fall. The airport will begin soliciting proposals from companies to test the registered traveler program in a few weeks, Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta said.

Coming Soon: E-Z Pass For Airport Security CBS News - Jul 11, 2007 02:29 PM (ET)
The E-Z Pass of the air could be coming soon to an airport near you. The registered traveler program, conceived after 9/11 as a way to speed frequent fliers through airports' long and unpredictable security lines, is finally gaining national momentum.

Atlanta Plans Registered Traveler Program USA Today - Jul 02, 2007 05:05 PM (ET)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, the world's busiest airport, will seek bids from companies to run the government's Registered Traveler program there. The program provides speedy security clearance through a separate line for prescreened subscribers who pay about $100 a year.

Registered Traveler Achieves Interoperability Goal
Jun 29, 2007 10:42 PM (ET)
The Registered Traveler (RT) program reached an important milestone in late June with the introduction of operations at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

The RT program is actively interoperable, with two different private-sector service providers operating at six airports across the country, according to AAAE Senior Vice President Carter Morris. Interoperability is a critical keystone in the RT program that allows cards, regardless of the service provider from which they were issued, to be read and accepted by other providers operating at participating airports. This is accomplished through the Central Information Management System (CIMS), which was developed and is operated by the Security Biometric Clearing Network (SBCN) for the Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC).

“These events are the culmination of the tireless efforts of airports, private industry and the Transportation Security Administration, working as part of the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium (RTIC), to create an interoperable RT program,” Morris said. “As envisioned by airports, industry and TSA, today the program operates on an open platform creating an extremely secure and seamless experience for RT participants around the country.”

“We congratulate AAAE and the founding-member RTIC airport executives who have worked with us from the beginning to achieve the vision of an interoperable, private sector RT program that enhances both security and convenience,” said Steven Brill, founder and CEO of Clear, which is now under contract to operate RT programs at nine airports, including New York Kennedy International, Newark, Orlando and San Jose. “And we congratulate Unisys on their successful launch of a fine program in Reno and on joining an industry where fair competition and robust growth is assured because AAAE has implemented this trailblazing interoperability technology,” he added.

“RT was envisioned as a benefit to travelers that would enhance the security measures TSA has implemented,” said Bryan Ichikawa, program director, rtGO, Unisys. “Thanks to the interoperability work of the RTIC and TSC, that vision is brought to life as Registered Travelers move among participating airports through dedicated security lanes, alleviating some of the screening burden at the regular checkpoints.”

The CIMS is the world’s most advanced interoperable identity management system of its kind, using both fingerprint and iris biometric data. The SBCN, partnering with tier-one biometric and identity management companies such as Daon, Motorola and LG Iris Technology, began operation of the CIMS for the TSC within days of TSA’s approval of the RTIC Technical Interoperability Specification.

Tom Grissen, CEO of Daon commented, “As we have seen in similar initiatives around the world, achieving interoperability on a sophisticated national program such as Registered Traveler relies, not only on leading technology, but also encompasses significant policy issues, as well as legal and operational requirements. Daon has established a best practices approach to gain consensus on how identities are going to be authenticated and handled consistently across all participants in a transaction. We are frequently involved in bringing together the various stakeholders to accomplish these interoperability goals and are proud of the work we have done on the development of CIMS as we continue to demonstrate our long-term commitment to RT through our partnership with SBCN and the service providers.”

The CIMS is necessary to meet the interoperability requirements of the specification and performs several key functions, such as processing all records, interfacing with TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials.

The Registered Traveler program provides expedited security screening processes and an extra layer of security for passengers who volunteer biometric and biographic information to a TSA-approved RT vendor and successfully complete a TSA-conducted security threat assessment. RT is a private sector program, supported and overseen by TSA. Lanes are operational at six airports with five more airports scheduled to begin operations shortly. An additional seven airports intend to operate RT at their facilities in the near future and are actively soliciting from the five service providers currently approved by TSA.

Hartsfield Lines To Get Speedier Atlanta Business Chronicle - Jun 25, 2007 08:12 AM (ET)
In 30 days, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is set to issue a bid for a program to help some of the 37,000 busy travelers that embark here each day breeze through gnarly security checkpoints -- potentially in less than six minutes. The so-called "registered traveler" program would cost about $100 per year per person.

RT Program Opens At Reno-Tahoe
Jun 22, 2007 09:15 PM (ET)
Unisys Corp. Thursday opened its Registered Traveler program, rtGO, at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

In line with parameters established by AAAE’s Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium, and industry and government officials, Unisys’ rtGO card is interoperable, meaning that any rtGO member can use his or her card at any airport with a Registered Traveler program, regardless of whether Unisys or another vendor operates the program.

Registration began in May at Reno-Tahoe and rtGO members have begun receiving their cards, which they will use at specially designated security lanes to verify their identity and pass through airport security.

“Unisys and the rtGO program have been outstanding partners for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority,” commented Krys Bart, A.A.E., executive director and chief executive officer of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and chair of AAAE. “They have provided our airport and community with a highly professional staff that demonstrates a strong understanding of the unique customer service that is required in today’s airport environment.”

The rtGO registration office at the Reno airport is located near carousel four at the baggage claim. Program registrants provide some basic identifying information and have their fingerprints taken and iris scanned. TSA then conducts a background check and, once customers are approved, they receive their official rtGO card. The card contains only a template of the biometric information, meaning it cannot be compromised or used to verify the identity of anyone other than the rtGO member, Unisys said.

In related news, Daon, a global provider of identity assurance software and services, announced that Unisys has entered into a long-term commitment to use Daon’s technology in Unisys’ RT technology. Daon software is part of Unisys’ rtGO product offering.

According to Daon CEO Tom Grissen, “The national U.S. Registered Traveler marketplace is rapidly expanding with the adoption of the program in multiple airports across the country. We are proud to have Unisys as a customer and to be a part of this historic program that enhances security and makes the traveler’s journey more convenient.”

Registered Traveler Potential Highlighted At Session
Jun 13, 2007 11:42 AM (ET)
The growth potential of Registered Traveler in the U.S. aviation system and the interoperability of the program were discussed June 11 by delegates during a breakout session at AAAE’s annual conference.

Tom Cowley, TSA deputy director for the RT Program Office, outlined the five principles governing operation of the program: that it won’t compromise security; that it’s a private sector program; that it doesn’t disadvantage non-participants; that it’s fully fee funded, and that it safeguards personal privacy.

Six airports now offer RT programs, four more are ready to launch, and there are five approved RT vendors so far. Another five companies are in the process of becoming service providers. “The program really does have a lot of momentum,” Cowley said. TSA’s next step is to continue to support airports in development of the RT program, he added.

Bill Conners, executive director and COO of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), which represents corporate purchasers of travel products, said individual corporate travelers “are excited” about the potential of RT because it will save them time. More than 70 percent of NBTA’s member companies support the RT concept and would pay the enrollment cost of the program for their travelers, he said.

More RT Lanes Open At Kennedy Int'l
Jun 11, 2007 07:10 AM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler and Air France announced the opening of the Clear lanes at New York Kennedy International’s Terminal 1. In addition to Air France passengers, Clear will serve more than a dozen other airlines operating out of Terminal 1. Clear also is operational at two JFK Terminals 4 and 7.

More Airport Sites For Fast-Pass Enrollment San Jose Mercury News - May 15, 2007 02:30 PM (ET)
Fliers interested in enrolling in the Clear registered-traveler program no longer have to go to Mineta San Jose International Airport to sign up. Mobile enrollment kiosks are now open weekdays at Hyatt Regency hotels in Santa Clara and San Francisco's Embarcadero Center.

RT Program Offers Sign-up At Hotels
May 08, 2007 08:27 PM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler announced that it has deployed enrollment kiosks at two Hyatt Regency properties in California. One property is in Santa Clara and the second is at the Embarcadero San Francisco.

Five airports offer Clear fast pass lanes—San Jose, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Orlando International airports, and New York Kennedy International’s Terminal 7. Programs are set to begin at Newark Airport and two new terminals at Kennedy International. Airports in Albany, N.Y., and Little Rock, Ark., recently selected Clear for their programs, the company said.

Beating The Lines Washington Post - May 07, 2007 02:43 PM (ET)
Trusted travelers by this summer should be able to scoot through security lines at Dulles and Reagan National. Authorities for the airports have requested proposals, due this month, from companies that can operate a Registered Traveler program.

Clear Service Adds Airports Orlando Sentinel - Apr 23, 2007 02:44 PM (ET)
Clear Registered Traveler, the security fast-lane option that began at Orlando International Airport, is expanding. It soon will add Little Rock, Ark., to its roster, as well as Albany, N.Y., and Newark, N.J., bringing the number of airports that offer the service to eight.

Little Rock Selects Clear For RT
Apr 23, 2007 07:32 AM (ET)
The Little Rock (Ark.) Municipal Airport Commission has selected Clear to launch the airport’s Registered Traveler (RT) program. Enrollment is expected to begin within 30 days, once a contract has been executed, officials said.

Clear, with over 40,000 members, began an RT program at Orlando International in July 2005. Earlier this year, Clear launched programs at the Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and San Jose airports, in addition to New York Kennedy International’s Terminal 7. In the next few weeks, JFK’s Terminals 1 and 4, as well as Newark’s Terminal B, will also begin fast lane operations, with Albany soon to follow, company officials said.

Daon Software Brings Flexibility To Registered Traveler Program
Apr 19, 2007 09:33 PM (ET)
Daon, a provider of identity assurance software, is supplying the central biometric identity management platform for Verified Identity Pass’ Clear Registered Traveler program that allows Verified to incorporate new biometric devices, such as the kiosks developed by L-1 Identity Solutions. The Clear program allows frequent fliers who are pre-approved to be positively identified at the airport through biometric technology. These passengers go through expedited security screening at specially designated lanes in participating airports. To participate, registered travelers pay a fee, provide background information and are issued a biometric identification card.

How To Get Through SFO Security In 30 Seconds San Francisco Examiner - Apr 13, 2007 01:57 PM (ET)
As soon as October, passengers flying out of the San Francisco International Airport could pass through security lines within seconds if they pay an annual fee and offer up very personal information. Five airports in the nation have implemented the so-called Registered Traveler program designed to provide frequent fliers with relief from the long waits in post-Sept. 11 security lines.

What's Wrong With A One-Size Fits All Identity? American.com - Apr 11, 2007 12:20 PM (ET)
The REAL ID Act is a federal law passed in May 2005 under which the federal government seeks to standardize state-issue ID cards and drivers’ licenses. The bill says that as of May 11, 2008, “a Federal agency may not accept, for any official purpose, a driver's license or identification card issued by a state to any person unless the state is meeting the requirements” of the law.

Registered Traveler Competitors Spell Out Strategy Business Travel News - Apr 03, 2007 01:53 PM (ET)
Registered Traveler program provider FLO Alliance last week detailed a business model that focuses on joint marketing programs and additional traveler benefits beyond the core expedited airport security lane offering. The alliance, which includes Saflink, Microsoft and Johnson Controls, last month signed Huntsville, Ala., International Airport, as its first airport partner.

Airport Check-In: Quite A View In Phoenix USA Today - Apr 02, 2007 02:23 PM (ET)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International has a new $89 million air traffic control tower. The 326-foot-tall facility is the third-tallest control tower in the world, behind only Atlanta and Munich, Germany, according to the airport.

Burning Questions Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger - Mar 21, 2007 02:46 PM (ET)
A program allowing airline passengers to move through security checkpoints more quickly -- for a price, of course -- is making its debut at Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal B. Steve Brill, founder and chief executive of Verified Identity Pass, explains how the Clear Registered Traveler Program works.

Huntsville Selects RT Provider
Mar 21, 2007 01:18 PM (ET)
The FLO (Fast Lane Option) Alliance announced it has been selected by Huntsville International to develop a Registered Traveler program. Saflink Corp. is the leader of the FLO Alliance.

“As we evaluated potential Registered Traveler partners, it became clear that the FLO Alliance offered a compelling combination of leading-edge technology and long-term marketing vision and shared our common operational approach, which focuses on customer service,” said Rick Tucker, executive director of Huntsville International. “We anticipate implementing an RT program once the TSA has determined it will provide greater benefits for the traveler than simply going to the front of the line. Such benefits could include not removing shoes, coats or laptops. We want to help reduce the hassle factor for our passengers.”

Clear Registered Traveler Program Coming To Albany Airport Albany (N.Y.) Business Review - Mar 13, 2007 01:46 PM (ET)
Verified Identity Pass Inc., a New York City company founded and headed by Court TV creator, and American Lawyer publisher Steven Brill, has been picked to run the Registered Traveler Program at Albany International Airport. The company, which does business as Clear Registered Traveler, conducts a security pre-screening of airline travelers and issues them a biometric card which allows them to use a special lane at airport security checkpoints. The lane speeds up security checks and allows travelers to keep their shoes on when passing through security.

Vigilant Solutions To Use AAAE's Clearinghouse For Registered Traveler Program
Feb 23, 2007 08:28 PM (ET)
AAAE’s Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) has entered into a contract with Vigilant Solutions to use the TSC’s services for the Registered Traveler (RT) program.

TSC provides the TSA-designated Central Information Management System (CIMS) for the U.S. RT program.

In November, TSC began operation of CIMS, which is the world’s most advanced interoperable information management system of travelers’ biometric data. With CIMS fully operational, private companies such as Vigilant Solutions now are able to offer interoperable RT services at participating airports across the country, allowing travelers to use their RT cards seamlessly at any participating airport.

AAAE Senior Vice President Carter Morris said he is encouraged by the growing number of partners that work with the TSC for CIMS services. “The CIMS has had a remarkable start building on the TSC’s proven track record supporting many critical Transportation Security Administration vetting and credentialing programs for the aviation industry,” he commented. “Since December, the Clearinghouse CIMS system has enrolled thousands of registered travelers on a network that seamlessly brings together TSA, RT service providers and their customer airports. Now, as we add our third RT service provider as a customer, we anticipate significant growth consistent with the successful implementation of the national interoperable Registered Traveler program,” Morris said. “We are pleased with the progress CIMS has made since its launch. More importantly, we’re proud to be working in partnership with TSA, airports and a growing number of service providers to support the ultimate goal of simultaneously improving security and efficiency at the nation’s airports.”

Vigilant Solutions CEO John Andrews said, “We are excited to sign the CIMS usage agreement with AAAE and are very pleased with the continued support of the highly qualified and experienced team at AAAE who are making the integration between our two systems very easy.”

As outlined in the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium’s Technical Interoperability Specification, CIMS is necessary to ensure interoperability, security and efficiency in a national RT program. As the designated CIMS, TSC is responsible for several key functions, such as processing all records, interfacing with TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials. In addition to Vigilant Solutions, TSC is currently providing services for the Verified Identity Pass “Clear” and Unisys “GO” programs.

Airport's Screening Program Takes Off, With 1,200 Enrolled Cincinnati Business Courier - Feb 20, 2007 06:30 AM (ET)
After just two weeks up and running, the Clear Registered Traveler program at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has enrolled more than 1,200 people. This is the program that, for a fee, allows frequent travelers to go through a security screening and then use a separate, faster security lane at the airport.

Accountability In Airport Security Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Feb 15, 2007 12:25 PM (ET)
Given the federal government's incompetent record in airline passenger screening, frequent fliers should be heartened that private enterprise is now involved in the process. If business doesn't get it right, at least the marketplace will eliminate incompetent vendors.

System Lets Some Fly Freely, For A Price Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Feb 09, 2007 02:36 PM (ET)
Some passengers at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport could soon bypass others and breezethrough special security checkpoints without so much as taking off their shoes. As long as they're willing to pay, that is.

Registered Traveler Debuts Airport Business - Feb 05, 2007 09:16 PM (ET)
What began as a pilot program by the Transportation Security Administration in 2004 is now a full-fledged program operated in partnership with airports, airlines, and private industry, while TSA plays more of a facilitating or advisory role. The Registered Traveler program (RT), designed to allow participants to avoid additional (they still have to undergo standard TSA security) screening at the airport by submitting to a background check and biometric identification, is now operational at a handful of airports across the United States and is expected to spread in the coming months.

'Trusted Traveler' Plan Adds 6th Airport Cincinnati Enquirer - Jan 30, 2007 03:28 PM (ET)
Frequent fliers enrolled in the Clear speedy security screening process have a new airport that uses the service: Newark Liberty International Airport – the sixth U.S. airport to do so. Last week, the Clear program was launched at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport’s Terminal 3, which serves Delta, Northwest and Continental airlines.

Mineta Airport Hopes Lures To Fliers, Airlines Speed Recovery Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal - Jan 29, 2007 06:29 AM (ET)
At a time when the travel industry is embattled, the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is hoping it can distinguish itself by adding incentives for both travelers and airlines. On Jan. 23, the airport celebrated being the fifth airport in the country to offer a registered traveler program.

Fast-Pass Lanes Arrive At San Jose Airport San Jose Mercury News - Jan 25, 2007 04:56 PM (ET)
Fast-pass security lanes finally landed at Mineta San Jose International on Tuesday, making it the first airport on the West Coast to give fliers a quick route through busy security lines. Now all that South Bay travelers need is their ``Clear cards,'' the government-approved cards that allow them to jump ahead of other passengers at crowded checkpoints -- for a price.

Indy Airport Joins Registered Traveler Program Indianapolis Star - Jan 19, 2007 09:18 AM (ET)
A speedy security lane opened today at the Indianapolis International Airport. The high-tech system lets fliers who register with the federal government, pay about $100 a year and submit to a fingerprint and eye scan skip the standard security lane and its lines of people taking off jackets and removing shoes.

Registered Traveler Starts At JFK Airport USA Today - Jan 17, 2007 01:58 PM (ET)
A long-delayed program aimed at speeding trusted travelers through airport security took a small but dramatic step Tuesday when it opened at one terminal in New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The opening marks the official launch of Registered Traveler beyond Orlando International Airport, which since July 2005 has run the only airport-sponsored program to put airline travelers at the front of security lines if they pay about $100 a year and pass a background check.

New Scanner Gets Off On Wrong Foot USA Today - Jan 17, 2007 01:57 PM (ET)
Many air travelers who were screened Tuesday by a revolutionary new machine aimed at letting them keep their shoes on through airport security got an unexpected surprise — they had to take their shoes off anyway. About half of the travelers using Orlando International Airport's first-in-the-nation ShoeScanner underwent the very hassle the machines were designed to ease — putting shoes through checkpoint X-rays — because the ShoeScanner detected metal in their shoes.

Motorola Deploys Biometric Technology For TSC RT Program Use
Jan 03, 2007 08:33 PM (ET)
Motorola Inc. Wednesday announced it has successfully deployed biometric technology to be used by AAAE’s Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) for the Registered Traveler Program. The Registered Traveler Program provides expedited security screening processes and an extra layer of security for passengers who volunteer biometric and biographic information and who successfully complete a security assessment.

Motorola's technology is based on open and scaleable Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) that will perform multi-modal biometric matching to ensure participants have their information securely stored and quickly retrieved when they pass through airport security checkpoints.

"Motorola's biometric solution offered the pricing and system design that best suited the requirements of the Registered Traveler Program. Motorola's technology in matching accuracy and speed, as well as system longevity and interoperability made them the preferred choice for the TSC," stated Carter Morris, AAAE senior vice president for Transportation Security Policy.

Motorola delivered its latest identity management matching server built on commercial off-the-shelf products with open system architecture that allows TSC to expand and upgrade the system as needed. Further, this off-the-shelf strategy provides TSC with flexibility to drive system functionality as future demand requires. Motorola's identity management solutions are optimized to function with all standards compliant formats, ensuring system interoperability on a national level, the company said.

"Motorola successfully deployed the initial system in only three weeks. The system is designed to be easily expanded to meet future demands as the Registered Traveler program expands in popularity," stated Darrin Reilly, general manager, Motorola Biometrics Business Unit.

The Flight Pattern For 2007 Washington Post - Jan 02, 2007 09:00 PM (ET)
Airline passengers can't escape the headaches of the new age of air travel: long lines at checkpoints, confusion over security restrictions, lost luggage. But some airports are trying to ease the aggravation. A new travel program is under consideration at local airports to quicken the way to the gate.

Verant To Use TSC As CIMS for RT
Dec 26, 2006 05:55 PM (ET)
Verant Identification Systems Inc. has agreed to use AAAE’s Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) as the Central Information Management System (CIMS) for the Registered Traveler (RT) program. Verant Identification Systems joins other RT service providers who have chosen the TSC as the CIMS for the RT program.

“AAAE’s TSC has a proven record of success. We’ve reduced turnaround times and cost for aviation worker background checks, and we’re looking forward to bringing the same great customer service and industry experience to RT service providers in the most cost-effective manner possible,” AAAE President Charles Barclay said. “More importantly, a permanent, interoperable and nationwide RT program will improve security and efficiency for U.S. air travelers and we’re proud to play such an important role toward this goal.”

Verant CEO Jeff Black said, “There is great enthusiasm and demand for the RT program and the complimentary services that enrolled travelers will enjoy. The RT program is an outstanding example of governmental and private sector collaboration. AAAE, TSA and the service providers have created a program that will increase both overall systemwide security, as well as operational efficiency. The real RT program winner is the flying public!”

As the designated CIMS, TSC is responsible for several key functions of the RT program, such as processing all records, interfacing with TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials.

Vigilant Solutions To Use TSC For RT
Dec 15, 2006 08:07 PM (ET)
AAAE announced that Vigilant Solutions has agreed to use its Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) as the Central Information Management System (CIMS) for the Registered Traveler (RT) Program. Vigilant Solutions joins other RT service providers that have chosen the TSC as the CIMS for the RT program.

“AAAE’s TSC has a proven record of success. We’ve reduced turnaround times and cost for aviation worker background checks, and we’re looking forward to bringing the same great customer service and industry experience to RT service providers in the most cost-effective manner possible,” AAAE President Charles Barclay said. “More importantly, a permanent, interoperable and nationwide RT program will improve security and efficiency for U.S. air travelers and we’re proud to play such an important role toward this goal.”

Vigilant Solutions CEO John Andrews commented, “We are pleased to join the rest of the RT Service Providers who chose to use TSC for the RT program. We are also very happy to acknowledge all the support we received from AAAE team during our discussions to this stage. We look forward to a long fruitful relationship with AAAE.”

As the designated CIMS, the TSC is responsible for several key functions of the RT program, such as processing all records, interfacing with TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials.

AAAE's TSC Announces Contract With RT Service Provider
Dec 01, 2006 06:15 PM (ET)
The American Association of Airport Executives announced Friday that its Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) has entered into a contract with Unisys Corp., which will use the TSC for the Central Information Management System (CIMS) for the Registered Traveler (RT) program. The contract formalizes the TSC cost structure and schedule originally agreed to by Unisys and other Registered Traveler service providers when they designated the TSC as the CIMS for the RT program in May. The Transportation Security Administration also recently designated the TSC as the CIMS for the RT program.

On Monday, the TSC began operation of the CIMS, which is the world’s most advanced interoperable information management system of travelers’ biometric data. With the CIMS fully operational, private companies such as Unisys Corporation are now able to operate interoperable RT services at participating airports across the country, allowing travelers to use their RT cards seamlessly at any participating airport.

AAAE President Charles Barclay said he was pleased that the TSC as the CIMS will enable the rapid and secure deployment of the Registered Traveler program at airports across the country. "AAAE's TSC has a proven record of success. We've reduced turnaround times and cost for aviation worker background checks, and we’re looking forward to bringing the same great customer service and industry experience to RT service providers in the most cost-effective manner possible," Barclay said. "More importantly, a permanent, interoperable and nationwide Registered Traveler program will improve security and efficiency at airports for US air travelers and we're proud to play such an important role toward this goal."

"Unisys has been working with AAAE throughout this process and, with their cooperation, hosted at our Reston office an interoperability forum for potential Registered Traveler services providers so that all parties would be in lock-step as the program takes shape. We look forward to the continued support we’ve received from AAAE as Registered Traveler rolls out nationwide," said Larry Zmuda, partner, homeland security, Unisys.

As outlined in the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium’s Technical Interoperability Specification, the CIMS is necessary to ensure interoperability, security, and efficiency in a national RT program. As the designated CIMS, TSC is responsible for several key functions, such as processing all records, interfacing with the TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials

U.S. Clears Faster Airport Security Checks New York Times - Nov 29, 2006 08:00 PM (ET)
After almost five years of discussion, federal authorities cleared the way yesterday for a program giving travelers who volunteer for background checks an easier passage through airport security to begin next month. A company called Verified Identity Pass, which already operates a pilot program called Clear at Orlando International Airport in Florida, plans to offer its service in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, San Jose and at Kennedy International Airport in New York soon, and in 12 to 20 airports over the next year.

RT Management System Goes Live
Nov 28, 2006 06:55 PM (ET)
The Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of AAAE, on Monday began operation of the world’s most advanced interoperable information management system of travelers’ biometric data—the Central Information Management System (CIMS).

CIMS is necessary to ensure interoperability, security and efficiency in a nationwide Registered Traveler (RT) program.

The RT program provides expedited security screening processes and an extra layer of security for passengers who volunteer biometric and biographic information to a TSA-approved RT vendor and successfully complete a TSA-conducted security threat assessment. RT is a private sector program, supported and overseen by TSA.

By leveraging the customer service and aviation expertise of the TSC, CIMS was developed utilizing state-of-the-art technology from Daon, LG Iris Technology Division and Motorola. Within days after TSA’s adoption of the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium’s Technical Interoperability Specification, TSC assembled its team of tier-one biometric and identity management companies to meet the interoperability specification requirements by enhancing existing vendor solutions and utilizing best practices of the private sector.

“The TSC along with Daon, LG and Motorola have created an unparalleled information management system,” said Carter Morris, AAAE senior vice president. “Today, the pioneering technology of the CIMS will enable the rapid and secure deployment of an interoperable RT program. Tomorrow, the possibilities are endless.”

With CIMS fully operational, private companies such as Saflink, Unisys, Verified Identity Pass and Vigilant are now able to operate interoperable RT services at participating airports across the country. “A permanent, interoperable and nationwide Registered Traveler program will improve security and efficiency at airports for US air travelers and we’re proud to play such an important role toward that goal,” Morris said.

CIMS is responsible for several key functions, such as processing all records, interfacing with TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials.

TSA Announces Fee For Registered Traveler Program
Nov 28, 2006 09:09 AM (ET)
In a notice in the Federal Register, TSA announced that it will charge a total annual fee of $28 for each person who participates in the Registered Traveler Interoperability Pilot program. The Registered Traveler Interoperability Pilot is the initial launch of the Registered Traveler (RT) program at 10 to 20 participating airports. The $28 TSA fee does not include any fees that a service provider or sponsoring entity (airports or airlines) may charge for its services. A copy of the Federal Register notice can be found on the AAAE website at http://www.aaae.org/government/150_Transportation_Security_Policy/.

The Federal Register notice also includes information regarding costs associated with security screening checkpoint lanes that are dedicated to RT. Depending on an airport’s size, configuration and available space, RT can operate using either dedicated lanes, which means that only approved RT participants are allowed to use that lane, or designated lanes, where approved RT participants are given priority in existing security checkpoint lanes. If an airport decides to create a dedicated RT lane, or institutes a process that uses additional TSA screening resources beyond what is already provided at the airport, TSA will negotiate the exact level of support and the fee necessary to match the costs of this support with the airport. TSA plans to collect these costs directly from the airport operator or sponsoring entity, which also may be an airline. However, sponsoring entities may choose to pass these costs on to their RT service provider or directly to RT participants.

'Preferred' Travelers Get Smoother Ride Jacksonville (Fla.) Business Journal - Oct 30, 2006 11:10 AM (ET)
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority will begin registering people the second week of November for a new program geared toward easing travel for frequent flyers, particularly high-end business passengers. The Preferred Traveler program at Jacksonville International Airport is an enhanced version of the Transportation Security Administration's Registered Traveler program, which will provide expedited security screening for airline passengers.

AAAE's TSC Announces First Contract With RT Service Provider
Oct 25, 2006 08:53 PM (ET)
AAAE announced Wednesday that its Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) has entered into a contract with a Registered Traveler (RT) service provider, Verified Identity Pass Inc., which will use the TSC for the Central Information Management System (CIMS) for the Registered Traveler program. The contract formalizes the TSC cost structure and schedule originally agreed to by Verified Identity Pass, operator of the Clear® RT program, and other Registered Traveler service providers when they designated the TSC as the CIMS for the RT program in May. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also designated the TSC as the CIMS for the RT program.

Under the terms of the contract, the TSC will have the CIMS fully operational by Nov. 28, 2006. This will enable the launch of an interoperable Registered Traveler program, allowing travelers to use their RT cards seamlessly at participating airports around the nation.

AAAE President Charles Barclay said he was pleased that the TSC as the CIMS will enable the rapid and secure deployment of the Registered Traveler program at airports across the country. “AAAE’s TSC has a proven record of success. We’ve reduced turnaround times and cost for aviation worker background checks, and we’re looking forward to bringing the same great customer service and industry experience to RT service providers in the most cost-effective manner possible,” Barclay said. “More importantly, a permanent, interoperable and nationwide Registered Traveler program will improve security and efficiency at airports for US air travelers and we’re proud to play such an important role toward this goal.”

Clear CEO Steven Brill said, “Our more than 30,000 customers will not only be able to use their Clear cards at our lanes in New York, Orlando, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and San Jose airports, but at any airport that chooses to launch a Registered Traveler program regardless of the service provider. We appreciate the efforts of the AAAE and TSA for making interoperability possible for all travelers in the RT program.”

In addition to enabling a fully functional CIMS by Nov. 28, 2006, the TSC has offered an interim transitional enrollment solution so that, pending TSA approval, which the TSC believes is appropriate, any Service Provider’s RT applicants can proceed with enrollment as soon as possible. This will allow airports to begin to offer the processing and efficiency benefits of the Registered Traveler program prior to the busy holiday travel season.

As outlined in the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium’s (RTIC) Technical Interoperability Specification, which was recently determined to meet TSA’s requirements for interoperability, the CIMS is necessary to ensure interoperability, security, and efficiency in a national RT program. As the designated CIMS, TSC is responsible for several key functions, such as processing all records, interfacing with the TSA for background checks, ensuring a chain of trust from vetted enrollments and issued credentials, and sending alerts to all service providers regarding revoked credentials.

DHS Progress On RT Faulted
Sep 18, 2006 11:52 AM (ET)
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, has questioned DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff about the department’s plans for rolling out a Registered Traveler (RT) program at the nation’s airports.

In a Sept. 12 letter to Chertoff, Thompson noted, “At present, the only place in the country where travelers can access Registered Traveler is in a pilot program in Orlando International Airport. Five other pilots with air carriers were canceled by TSA in September 2005. One pilot in one airport does not constitute a program and, at the rate the department is going, Registered Traveler may well end up as nothing more than a fairy tale.”

Thompson listed a number of deadlines that TSA has missed in its implementation plan for an RT program. He added that, “Another key aspect of the program that remains unsettled is an interoperability capability, which would allow Registered Traveler participants to access expedited screening regardless of their departure airport. The Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium transmitted to TSA the final draft of a plan to achieve interoperability early last month. TSA has not yet approved the specifications. Without the adoption of interoperability standards, we cannot be assured that the Registered Traveler plans under development by the private sector are compatible. The eventual program service providers, whoever they eventually turn out to be, cannot be expected to develop plans without getting that guidance and other critical information, such as the department’s anticipated fee for processing Registered Traveler participants. For the program to work as a public-private partnership, the department must be an engaged partner.”

Airport 'Fast Pass' Is Still Preparing For Takeoff Los Angeles (Calif.) Times - Aug 28, 2006 12:16 PM (ET)
Despite this month's airport terrorism scare, at least one major benefit for business travelers seems to be moving ahead: faster trips through security. But they come at a price.

AAAE, RTIC Submit Technical Specification To TSA For Registered Traveler Program
Jul 21, 2006 04:16 PM (ET)
AAAE and the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium (RTIC) have submitted a Technical Interoperability Specification to TSA for the Registered Traveler program. More than 20 people from more than 10 different organizations, such as Unisys, Verified Identity Pass, Daon, Lockheed Martin, Saflink, Iridian and others, dedicated approximately 4,800 hours to developing the document, which outlines the technical specifications needed for an interoperable Registered Traveler Program that can act as the basis for the program’s required technical interoperability standards.

“AAAE and the RTIC are pleased to be a partner with TSA in the deployment and development of an RT program that will bring enhanced security and quicker security processing,” AAAE President Charles Barclay said. “The specification created by the RTIC and its Service Provider Council was the result of an intensive effort to bring the very best expertise to the program in an aggressive timeframe.”

The RTIC was formed by a group of airports in conjunction with AAAE in June 2005 to create and implement an airport-driven, national, interoperable Registered Traveler Program. The RTIC airport members established the Service Provider Council as a way for providers with experience and expertise in RT solutions, identity management, biometrics and airport planning to participate in the development of technical standards and processes required for an interoperable RT program. The Service Provider Council consists of over 60 well-known and respected commercial organizations.

More information on the RTIC and a copy of the Technical Interoperability Specification can be found at www.rtconsortium.org.

Scanner May Make Registered Travel Even Smoother Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel - Jun 22, 2006 05:57 PM (ET)
A new machine capable of scanning airline passengers' shoes for explosives while testing their skin for traces of bomb materials and matching fingerprints to a database is expected to be deployed soon at Orlando International Airport. If the machine being tested by the Transportation Security Administration lands in Orlando as anticipated this summer, it will represent the first tangible security benefit to customers of Clear, the security line fast-pass service in Orlando.

TSA Accepting Statements of Interest For Interoperable RT Program
Jun 06, 2006 09:30 AM (ET)
TSA has released its statement of interest (SOI) to allow airports to express interest in Registered Traveler (RT) program participation and to identify airports’ anticipated timelines for launching RT. The agency is moving to implementation of a wide-scale deployment of RT. Airports interested in completing the SOI can visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=64322191390 and use password RTSOI.

TSA said in its announcement, “The SOI is not intended to exclude any airport from participation in the program, nor does it guarantee selection to participate in the initial phase. The SOI is intended to facilitate dialog between TSA and airports regarding the RT program. When the statement of interest is received from the airports, the RT Program Office will be in contact with the airport operator.”

TSA questions can be directed to John Martinez at (571) 227-3080.

AAAE's Transportation Security Clearinghouse Announces Schedule, Terms For Registered Traveler Clear
May 30, 2006 08:55 PM (ET)
AAAE announced Monday that its Transportation Security Clearinghouse (TSC) has released a schedule and cost structure for Service Providers who will use the TSC as the Central Identity Management System (CIMS) for the Registered Traveler Program. The TSC cost structure and schedule is consistent with the TSA’s recent release of the business model for a national, interoperable Registered Traveler program. The first service provider, Verified Identity Pass, signed an agreement to use TSC services for the program.

The industry designation of the TSC as the CIMS for the RT program is a significant boost toward establishing a nationwide, permanent and interoperable Registered Traveler system as soon as possible.

AAAE President Chip Barclay said he was pleased that the Service Provider industry had centered on using the TSC has the CIMS for the Registered Traveler Program. “AAAE’s TSC has a proven record of success. We’ve reduced turnaround times and cost for aviation worker background checks, and we’re looking forward to bringing the same great customer service and industry experience to RT service providers in the most cost-effective manner possible,” Barclay said. “More importantly, a permanent, interoperable and nationwide Registered Traveler program will improve security and efficiency for US air travelers and we’re proud to play such an important role toward this goal.”

“We’re delighted at the pricing, the privacy protection and the service that the TSC has offered,” said Verified Identity Pass founder and CEO Steven Brill. “TSC’s role assures that a cost-efficient, interoperable program supported by the nation’s leading airports will now move forward quickly. The AAAE deserves great credit,” Brill added, “for bringing a terrific combination of policy leadership and nuts and bolts competence to this effort.”

TSA Issues Registered Traveler Business Model
May 26, 2006 09:46 AM (ET)
TSA on Thursday posted on a governmental website a copy of its business model for Registered Traveler (RT). A copy can be found on the AAAE website at http://www.aaae.org/government/150_Transportation_Security_Policy/. The business model serves to provide an outline structure of how an interoperable RT program will work. It does not establish the standards for the RT program; rather, it provides a concept baseline for discussions with airports and service providers interested in RT.

Many of the elements contained in the TSA business model mirror the recommendations made by AAAE’s Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium (RTIC) in January to the TSA’s Request for Information on RT. The business model also provides additional details on issues such as screening benefits and payment of fees to the TSA for its role in RT.

The RTIC’s Service Provider Council continues to work to create the technical specification necessary for an interoperable program. In releasing its business model, TSA endorsed this process, saying “Currently the private industry is working within the RTIC to recommend open technical standards. TSA encourages stakeholders to participate in this effort.

McCarran Takes A Pass On Registered Traveler In Business Las Vegas (Nev.) - May 01, 2006 02:23 PM (ET)
Would you pay $80 a year for the privilege of going through a special line at the airport security checkpoint that might get you through the process a little faster? The Transportation Security Administration said participants in its proposed Registered Traveler program "will experience a passenger screening process that is modified to afford greater customer service."

Registered Traveler: Some Want It, Some Don't A2A News - Apr 26, 2006 02:36 PM (ET)
San Jose International Airport on Friday said it would pursue a registered traveler program for the airport. The announcement came of the heels of a US Transportation Security Administration statement that it would roll out the programs to as many as 20 airports this summer.

TSA Readying RT Pilot Criteria Selection
Apr 26, 2006 05:42 AM (ET)
TSA is readying the criteria for naming airports for the just-announced Registered Traveler (RT) rollout pilot program, and a top official indicated that airport participants will be chosen based in part on characteristics that fit what the agency wants to test. Ted Sobel, TSA's RT program director, suggested to delegates at AAAE's 78th Annual Conference and Exposition that "RT 20" airports--10 to 20 in all--probably won't be picked on a first-come, first-served basis. Rather, aspects like an airport's configuration or passenger volumes will be matched up with elements that TSA wants to test as part of its second RT pilot, Sobel said Monday during a panel on RT.

Sobel was quick to note that the RT 20 program will be different than traditional pilots, including the original RT pilot that involved five airports. "This will not be a standard pilot that goes design-implement-end-evaluate," he said. "Instead of end and evaluate, we want to evaluate and evolve it into a national program."

Sobel explained that airports would likely be chosen "in groups" and "on a rolling basis"--in other words, don't look for one 20-airport announcement. He stressed that there is no timeline for selecting all of the pilot airports and the criteria is still being finalized. "Things are still being established," he said.

Sobel also addressed the rulemaking that will be necessary to transition the RT 20 to a national pilot. "We have to make sure that people aren't un-duly excluded," he explained. Via a rulemaking, "we can put out standards and people can comment on them. The goal of the rule is to get public participation in the best way the government can do it."

TSA is in the process of choosing a third-party entity to create the basics for an RT business model. The agency also is working on a fee notice that will detail the government portion of the costs for the pilot program. Sobel is hopeful that the fee notice would be out within 60 days.

Airport Will Not Enlist In Program Las Vegas Review-Journal - Apr 25, 2006 07:34 AM (ET)
The federal Transportation Security Administration is rolling out a pilot program to ease travel for some fliers, but officials at McCarran International Airport say they have no plans to join the trial. Randall Walker, director of aviation for Clark County, said he's concerned that the Bush administration's Registered Traveler program will fail to create efficiencies at security checkpoints.

Airport Executives Question Details Of Registered Traveler Rollout
Apr 24, 2006 07:45 AM (ET)
Members of AAAE's Transportation Security Services Committee closely questioned TSA officials Sunday about details of the agency's planned rollout of the Registered Traveler (RT) program.

TSA on April 20 announced that it will launch RT with pilot programs at up to 20 airports and will initiate a rulemaking to implement RT on a national scale. The rulemaking will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the nationwide expansion of the program, as well as allow criminal history record checks to be added to the background checks of program applicants, TSA said.

The agency's announcement also said that, "While the combination of benefits and security measures available at each participating airport may vary, all RT travelers should receive an expedited and more convenient checkpoint experience."

TSA has not yet published application requirements for airports to participate as a pilot site. Ted Sobel, TSA's RT program manager, commented that, "If you want to be part of the initial pilots, come to us with great ideas." He explained that TSA's goal is to be able to "flow" from the pilot tests into the full RT program.

Several AAAE members expressed concern over the agency's decision to begin a rulemaking, which would delay full implementation of the program. Sobel responded that anytime the government initiates a program that excludes some people and vendors, it needs to proceed carefully.

Other committee members questioned the willingness of frequent travelers to sign up and pay a fee to participate in the program if the benefits are not viewed as substantial.

Charlotte Bryan, acting assistant administrator for transportation sector management at TSA, said her agency will brainstorm a number of options for transportation security improvements. She said options include changes to access control and airport configuration. "Don't get excited; nothing is decided," she stressed.

Bryan also said that the agency is considering providing a more flexible package of benefits to security screeners in an effort to improve retention. TSA is considering such benefits as day care, parking and more flexible hours for working parents, she said.

ATA Protests Registered Traveler As TSA Plans Limited Rollout Air Transport World - Apr 24, 2006 07:27 AM (ET)
US Air Transport Assn. on Friday criticized the Transportation Security Administration's plan to begin rolling out its Registered Traveler program this year, saying it "firmly believes that limited TSA resources should not be diverted from efficiently and effectively screening all passengers to a program that provides limited and questionable benefits for some customers.

San Jose Airport Pursuing Registered Traveler Program CBS 5 - Apr 21, 2006 04:30 PM (ET)
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration announced Thursday its intention to roll out its "registered traveler'' program at 10 to 20 airports nationwide, prompting at least one Bay Area airport to apply for a chance to be one of the first to participate. Marina Renneke, spokeswoman for the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, said today that airport officials hope the TSA will deem San Jose a good candidate for the test program that is meant to get pre-screened travelers through security checkpoints more quickly.

TSA: 20 Airports May Have Fast Lanes Soon AP - Apr 21, 2006 04:06 PM (ET)
Private companies could sell security passes for frequent fliers at as many as 20 airports by the end of the year, the government said Thursday. The passes would be part of the Registered Traveler program, which would let airline passengers go through a separate airport security lane if they pay a fee, pass a government background check and submit 10 fingerprints.

TSA Greenlights Private Registered Traveler Rollout BTN Online - Apr 21, 2006 04:05 PM (ET)
The Transportation Security Administration today said it is on track to roll out Registered Traveler programs at up to 20 airports this year, on the condition that approved private-sector operators "make the necessary business arrangements with host airports and air carriers and get security approval from TSA for the proposed configuration." Airports could be up and running as soon as June 20—which since last year has been slated as the launch date—but TSA said, "Subject to public demand for the RT program, TSA would expect RT to operate on a national scale next year."

20 Airports To Get Registered Traveler USA Today - Apr 21, 2006 04:05 PM (ET)
Only 20 airports will be allowed to start programs in the next year that speed trusted travelers through checkpoint security, the Transportation Security Administration said Thursday. The TSA imposed the limit so it can test technology needed for the program's goal: a nationwide network of airports offering pre-screened passengers a fast pass through security.

Airports Leery On Traveler Registry USA Today - Apr 19, 2006 01:55 PM (ET)
Only one of the USA's busiest airports has signed up for a much-vaunted program to speed travelers through checkpoints, while at least a half-dozen others are balking at an idea that they say won't work. The lack of sign-ups could threaten the Registered Traveler program, pushed by Congress for years as a way to speed up post-9/11 security lines by giving minimal inspections to air travelers who pass a background check.

Fliers May Avoid Lines Cincinnati (Ohio) Enquirer - Apr 18, 2006 04:35 PM (ET)
No matter how many times he travels as artistic director of the Cincinnati Opera, Evans Mirageas' heart always sinks when he sees the long lines at the security checkpoint at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on a busy Monday morning. He knows the wait that is in store for him.

Op-Ed: Registered Traveler Program Is Not The Best Use Of TSA Resources BTN Online - Apr 07, 2006 12:39 PM (ET)
The Air Transport Association has no fundamental objection to a Registered Traveler program—if it significantly improves security and provides passengers with a discernable benefit. From what we have been told, however, that would not be the case under the new Registered Traveler program.

Senators Urge Screening Improvements
Apr 04, 2006 09:09 PM (ET)
Members of the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday urged TSA Administrator Kip Hawley to improve airport security checkpoint screening, address screener workforce issues, and expedite the deployment of in-line explosives detection systems (EDS) and the Registered Traveler program.

In the second in a series of planned hearings on aviation security, lawmakers commended Hawley for his work so far, but expressed their frustration with long security lines, improper baggage handling, and the slow deployment of technological improvements, including in-line systems and Registered Traveler. Panel members encouraged Hawley to work with airports to address their individual needs and provide relief for the traveling public.

ACI-NA President Greg Principato, testifying on behalf of ACI-NA and AAAE, suggested both short- and long-term solutions for TSA to improve passenger and baggage screening, including the quick deployment of in-line EDS systems and the Registered Traveler program, expansion of the Screening Partnership Program, additional flexibility for Federal Security Directors to address unique local staffing issues, adoption of screening performance standards, and keeping TSA focused on its core mission of passenger and baggage screening and the staffing of exit lanes.

In his testimony, Hawley pledged that TSA would have the Registered Traveler program operational this summer. “We’re on track,” he stated, adding that the agency still has work to do on equipment and on determining what screening benefits would be made available to program participants.

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