Trusted Passenger ID Cards
A U.S. Department of Transportation task force is moving forward with plans for a national transportation-worker identity card intended as a first step toward "trusted-traveler" cards for airline passengers. The trusted-traveler card is part of the Aviation and Transportation Security signed by President Bush Nov. 19 that authorized the Transportation Security Administration to "establish requirements to implement trusted passenger programs and use available technologies to expedite the security screening of passengers." Trusted-traveler cards would authorize passengers to bypass extensive security screening at airport checkpoints. The electronic card would have an encoded biometric description of the owner to ensure that the person using it is the same person identified on the card. The Transportation Department task force wants the cards to be used throughout airports and transportation services internationally. The card is intended to shorten lines at airports for frequent fliers who will undergo FBI and foreign background checks. Information the owners will also be shared with law enforcement agencies around the world.ID Card for Air Passengers Washington Times, Jan. 31, 2002
Loss of Privacy is Cost Barry Steinhardt, USA Today, Jan. 28, 2002
