Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Express Lanes Approved for Airport




Travelers at the World’s busiest airport could soon avoid long and congested lines after the Atlanta City Council today gave the green light for a new test program to speed registered passengers through security checkpoints. The Council approved substitute resolution 08-R-1149 by a vote of 11-0. The measure allows the Mayor and the Airport General Manager to enter into an agreement with Clear Atlanta, LLC for the Registered Traveler (R.T.) Pilot Program at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

“It is important that we look to new and innovative ways of speeding some of the 89 million passengers through our airport in a secure, safe and efficient manner,” said City Council President Lisa M. Borders.“ This pilot program has been successful in other international hubs and will benefit passengers here as well.” The program will adhere to the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Transportation Security Administration and the American Association of Airport Executives, which operates the Transportation Security Clearinghouse – an agency that facilitates biometrically-based and biographical background checks for the aviation community.

The R.T. program’s goals are to enhance security and allow registered travelers to pass more quickly through checkpoints and reduce the wait time for all passengers in line for screening. The R.T. Pilot Program will activate through a voluntary enrollment program that will serve qualified air traveler participants who meet Federal Transportation Security eligibility criteria and who agree to provide personal information to the TSA. The program is aimed primarily at business travelers willing to pay $100 or more annually and to undergo an extensive background check and provide biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scans in advance. The TSA would be in charge of security threat assessments of these individuals.

Clear, operates R.T. lines in 17 other airports, including Orlando International and some terminals at New York's LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International airports. The primary location for the pilot program at Hartsfield-Jackson will be an enrollment area, located on the ticketing level of the airport, and security checkpoint kiosks, located near the airport security checkpoint area.



The above legislation and a complete list of other items on the council’s agenda can be viewed in their entirety on the Web at: http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citycouncil/2008/fca0602.htm
City council minutes can be viewed at: http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citycouncil/minutes2.htm

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