The Coalition Government in the UK is proposing a move to a risk-based, outcome-based, aviation security. That sounds like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, which speaks of its multi-layered approach to security that includes behaviour detection officers, explosives-detection, canines, federal air marshals; and passenger pre-screening.
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expanding its TSA Pre?™ operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). TSA Pre?™ is a passenger pre-screening initiative and at ORD select Delta Air Lines and US Airways frequent flyers and members of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programmes are now eligible to participate and may receive expedited screening benefits when travelling domestically. The expansion to Terminal 2 means TSA Pre?™ is now available in all of ORD’s domestic terminals.
TSA Pre?™ is part of the US federal agency’s larger effort to use what it terms risk-based security concepts, focusing efforts on travellers considered high-risk and about whom the agency knows less. To date, more than two million passengers have experienced TSA Pre?™. TSA Pre?™ is now available in 20 airports for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways frequent flyers.
ORD Federal Security Director Kathleen Petrowsky said: “The continued expansion of TSA Pre?™ at O’Hare benefits both passengers and TSA. The vast majority of air travellers present little risk to aviation security. By expediting screening for those we know more about, we can more effectively focus our resources on those we know less about.”
Eligible passengers include US citizens flying on participating airlines as well as those who are members of CBP Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS. Individuals interested in applying for a Trusted Traveler program should visit www.globalentry.gov.
If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening through the TSAPre?™ pre-screening process, information is imbedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass. TSA reads the barcode at the designated checkpoint and the passenger may referred to the TSAPre?™ lane where they will undergo expedited screening, which could include being able to leave their shoes, light outerwear and belt on, allowing them to keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on.
TSA has expanded TSA Pre?™ to US military active duty members travelling through Ronald Reagan Washington National and Seattle-Tacoma International airports. In addition to TSA Pre?™, TSA has implemented other risk-based security measures including modified screening procedures for passengers 12 and younger and 75 and older.
TSA says that it will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.
For more information about TSA’s risk-based security initiative, visit www.tsa.gov.
