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Business Travel, Part III -- The Registered Traveler Program

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By Patty Inglish, MS


In order to shorten traveler wait times in line at the security post in airports and other border crossings, individuals may want to consider becoming what is called a "Registered Traveler." They can do this through the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and partner companies such as private sector airlines.

The US Transportation Security Administration sees their partnership with the private sector in a Registered Traveler program as a method that will encourage frequent travelers to provide information that can move them very swiftly through TSA security lines.

The Registered Traveler or RT program is an expedited security screening that cuts the red tape for passengers that voluntarily undergo an official Security Threat Assessment (STA) to pre-identify them to the airlines and other transportation providers in the near future as pre-qualified travelers. The private sector currently performs the enrollment of travelers, the verification, and some other services, while TSA does the program oversight, the STA, and the physical checks at the airports. The RT program can eliminate much of the wait for travelers that pose little or no security risk, while it frees up TSA staff to more closely examine other travel security risks.

Qualified individuals for RT must be American citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent legal residents. The TSA collects personal traveler information that includes full name, address, telephone number, and date of birth, along with certain biometric information. The required biometrics includes fingerprinting and/or an iris scan. A security assessment follows that includes an examination of law enforcement and intelligence data existing on the individual, along with a check for outstanding warrants.

For frequent business travelers that don't mind the additional surveillance and the qualifying process, the RT can save them a lot of time,

After a business or other traveler qualifies for RT, he or she can take advance of

  1. Minimum RT wait times, via dedicated or integrated lines set up just for them;
  2. Enhanced customer service over other travelers, like concierge service, special attention to luggage, and special parking privileges; and
  3. Discounts for airport related services and concessions.

The TSA cost for RT is a fee of $28 annually for each Registered Traveler. IN choosing the RT option, the business travel should weigh the balance between speed of travel and dollar cost and some loss of privacy in providing a background check and other information to TSA.

For extensive additional information on the Register Traveler program, click on the links below:

  • Click here for information for business and other travelers interested in participating in the Registered Traveler Program.
  • For employment opportunities with the US Transportation Security Administration Careers with TSA



Sponsors of the Registered Travelers Forum include:

  • Dartagnan™ biometric solutions
  • IBM
  • Thales: Aerospace, Defense and Security IT solutions
  • UNISYS
  • VPS, creators of IDExpert

Private Sector Operators

Participating Private Companies that are operating the RT program:

  • Air France (Terminal 1 at JFK);
  • Albany International Airport (ALB);
  • British Airways (Terminal 7 at JFK);
  • Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG);
  • Indianapolis International Airport (IND);
  • Jacksonville International Airport (JAX);
  • Little Rock National Airport (LIT);
  • Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC);
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO);
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO);
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO);
  • Virgin Atlantic (Terminal B at EWR);
  • Virgin Atlantic (Terminal 4 at JFK);
  • Westchester County Airport (HPN).

TSA-Approved RT Vendors:


AIRLINES IN THE RT FOUNDING PROJECT

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