Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is considering joining this fall with other airports that haveimplemented 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.
In 2005, Orlando International was the first airport to offer the program.
The program allows frequent travelers who?ve paid an annual cardholder?s fee and passed a background check to go through RT-designated kiosks at airport security checkpoints using their cards. The cards contain the traveler?s place of birth and home address. It also includes his or her fingerprints and iris scans.
Travelers, however, are still subject to being pulled over for random security checks.
The expectation was for the lanes to be in operation in 12 to 20 airports by 2006, but the program has been slow to catch on.
In a June online news statement, National Business Travel Association spokesman Bill Connors urged other airports to adopt the program.
“There is a huge market for the Registered Traveler concept in the business travel world. Time is money for corporate travelers, and the RT program offers one of the few opportunities to take some of the hassle out of the airport experience,” Connors said.
BWI spokesman Jonathan Dean said airport officials continue to examine the program to see whether it would be a good fit for customers.
He added that with just a handful of airports participating, the program is still in its infancy.
“A special security checkpoint designed for passengers could be established,” Dean said. “But the airport has not committed to get it. At this point, there?s nothing official on it.”
Jason Fitzsimmons, 37, of Towson, travels on business 46 weeks out of the year. He said the lanes are a bonus for people who would otherwise wait in long lines ?”especially at airports like Orlando that have a great number of business travelers. They don?t want to get caught up in line with leisure travelers.”
Fitzsimmons said that while he believes BWI would do a passable job with use of the lanes, he doubts many would use them. He said he would be among them.
“I have nothing to be concerned about,” Fitzsimmons said. “But I don?t want to have to be subjected to random security checks” after being cleared through an RT lane.
RT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Travelers can apply for the Registered Traveler (RT) program at their local airport only if it participates. The current participants are:
» Albany International Airport
» Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
» Indianapolis International Airport
» Orlando International Airport
» Reno/Tahoe International Airport
» San Jose International Airport
Airlines participating are:
» Air France and British Airways (Terminal 7 at Kennedy Airport in New York)
» Virgin Atlantic (Terminal B at Newark International Airport)
Source: Transportation Security Administration
