Omaha's Eppley Airfield Unlikely to Get Express Security Lines

A registered traveler program is unlikely at Omaha's Eppley Airfield because of security concerns and lack of demand, an airport official said today.

The Transportation Security Administration today announced some details of the program, set to begin June 20 after several years of study and testing.

The government will transfer the program to private companies to administer at those airports that seek to join the program. The private companies will decide how much travelers must pay to participate.

Under the plan, participating travelers will submit fingerprints, which will be stored on biometric security cards that participants would carry with them. The travelers also would undergo credit and security background checks by the private companies.

By late April, TSA plans to select an entity to certify and oversee compliance of companies that would provide the program and issue recommendations for changes in airport security plans. Plans would be due for making the registered traveler program operable at all airports offering it.

The TSA began testing the registered traveler program at five airports in summer 2004. The program offered faster security screening at designated checkpoint lanes at participants' home airports.

Eppley Executive Director Don Smithey said he did not have details on what would be required of airports.

"We've been given no clear direction whatsoever on how they would process it," he said. "The (Airport Authority) board would have to review, consider and discuss it."

It will be up to airports to decide whether they want to participate, said Carrie Harmon, a regional TSA spokeswoman.

"Some airports already have expressed an interest," she said. "This is an entirely voluntary program both for airports and passengers."

Smithey said he had qualms about private companies running the program, which would involve handling large amounts of personal information and would affect how much screening is performed at checkpoints.

"There has to be forethought and precautions put in place to not allow holes in that screening," he said. "Prior to 9/11, we saw a lot of difficulty in private companies performing that function for the airlines. We certainly wouldn't want to go back to that again."

In its announcement today, TSA said it recognizes that terrorists may seek to exploit the program. Because of that, participants will not be exempt from random selection for secondary security screening.

How much screening is required for participants at checkpoints also will occasionally change to make it more difficult for terrorists to predict, TSA said.

The program's private providers will pay for screening equipment, extra screeners and space. TSA said it is prepared to authorize the dedicated screening lanes or alternative screening locations for the program.

Eppley recently installed a third security checkpoint lane in each of its two terminals. Creating space for separate lanes for registered travelers would be difficult and expensive, Smithey said.

The local TSA operation has worked efficiently, he said, keeping wait times to a minimum.

"It would have more application at large hub airports where they are experiencing long lines," Smithey said.

Allowing certain travelers to move through security faster than others -- such as families who travel infrequently for leisure -- is likely to cause problems, Smithey said.

"Will they create a class of traveler that has priority over all other travelers? That needs to be addressed further," he said.

The cost likely would be prohibitive for all but the most frequent travelers, putting it out of reach for many, he said. Travelers already pay extra security fees through their tickets.

"Now we're tacking on another cost in addition to all the other security costs, and I don't know how that will be accepted," Smithey said.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.