GAO wary of trusted travellers Congressional investigators warn a host of "unresolved policy and programmatic issues" need to be resolved before the USA could allow a system giving "trusted" or "known" passengers expedited access through airport security. The airlines are pushing hard for a registered traveller programme, believing it would lure frequent business flyers back into the air. In its report the General Accounting Office (GAO) agrees that a registered traveller programme could be an effective way of reducing hassle for passengers and enabling transport security administration screeners to concentrate on unknown travellers, but warns that considerable planning is needed to avoid "new aviation security vulnerabilities". These include: developing criteria for programme eligibility and determining how thorough background checks should be for those applying to register, says the GAO.
Source: Flight International
