'Trusted travellers' to open in US airports
This summer America is to launch a “trusted traveller” scheme. This is designed to save passengers from the long security checks at the US airports if they agree to go through screening beforehand. The US homeland security chief, Judge Michael Chertoff said yesterday that the new programme would seek to make travel to America more convenient. This move follows an increasing number of complaints from the travellers that get delayed for nearly four hours during which the officials confirm that they are not possible terrorists.
Since Judge Chertoff became homeland security secretary in February, on his first visit he added that he urged Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary to make certain that the chips and software that are used in the proposed British biometric passports and identity cards be “compatible” with the US systems.
This trusted traveller scheme is to be piloted first in the Netherlands , most likely in two months’ time. Hopefully after such time it will be extended to other countries, which includes Britain . The travellers would volunteer themselves to give their personal information to the US authorities; this is then checked with their governments.
In reply, they would be given travel documents that would contain details of their visa status and possible a biometric data, like fingerprints. These would all help to make the passage through the airports and borders a lot faster.
This would also see the fact that fast lanes could be made for these trusted travellers, which would leave out the indignity of being pulled out of the queue to be questioned, added Judge Chertoff. He identified that this scheme was voluntary and was targeted mainly towards the regular travellers.
"Anything that will cut down delays at airports would certainly be welcome," said Sean Tipton, of the Association of British Travel Agents.
"As long as the process was not too onerous it would be of benefit, particularly for families and business travellers."
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