Today's Cool Travel Tip
In today's NY Times, I just learned about a pilot (no pun intended) program to speed airport check-in while still meeting stringent federal security standards. It's like a personal E-Z Pass for travelers: for $79.95 you can get a special "Verified Identity Pass" that is encoded with your biometric data (iris and fingerprint scans) that the T.S.A. has pre-approved to ensure that you are not on anyone's terrorist watch list. If you have one of these special passcards, at airport security checkpoints you would get to go in a special line (just like E-Z Pass at the toll booths!) with the assurance you won't get hauled-and-mauled for a pat down. (Apparently you'd still have to take off your shoes or have your laptop checked though.)
At the security check, you show your card and have them match it against a live scan of your fingerprints, and the next thing you know, you're on your way -- while the poor slobs in the regular line are being strip searched and generally treated like cattle.
Currently the program is being tested at Orlando's airport. Check the article for details if you are interested in participating. I think it sounds like a great concept... although many people are firmly against a national identity card program, I can't think that anyone would object to a voluntary program that allows frequent travelers an opportunity to prove that they are no-risk and therefore use their time more productively while traveling. It will be interesting to see if this thing really works and will eventually be implemented elsewhere. $80 is not a bad price to pay for a more humane experience at the airport.
