Reno travelers flock to speedy screenings

The Registered Traveler program, a nationwide security-screening program instituted last week at Reno Tahoe International Airport, appears to have hit it big in Reno.

For a $100 annual fee, passengers hoping to zip through security screening purchase a pre-approved identification card that requires a background check, as well as either an iris or fingerprint scan, and zoom to the front of security checkpoints.

"It is a big customer service benefit, and we have already had more than 100 people sign up for it," says Heidi Berthold, airport public affairs coordinator.

User information is housed on a "smart" card to be presented at specially designated Registered Traveler kiosks at participating airports. The kiosk reads the card and compares the traveler's biometric information via iris or fingerprint, as specified by the user, says Bryan Ichikawa, Registered Traveler program executive for Unisys, which provides the backbone architecture.

"When you check in to catch a flight, the biggest unknown is how long the security line will be. The screening line can be a few minutes to quite a few minutes. You can have reliable security-line experience that takes you less than 10 minutes, and having that level of predictability can save you a lot of time."

The Registered Traveler program currently operates in airports at Orlando, New York, San Jose, Cincinnati and Indianapolis as well as Reno. However, the program is expected to take hold in more sites over the next few months as placement in larger airports will foster new growth, Ichikawa says.

"We have only been open for a few weeks and have already signed up not quite 200 people," he says.

By summer's end Ichikawa expects the Registered Traveler program to be in place at hub airports such as Washington Dulles International, Reagan Washington International, and Dallas-Fort Worth International.

"Clear" is a similar program in place in a handful of smaller airports as well. Both programs conform to technical specifications established by the Travel Service Authority and Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium.