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Registered Traveler may be regaining steam
Registered Traveler - the program that provides travelers a dedicated airport security lane and shorter wait times at security checkpoints – is making some headway with recent Transportation Security Administration (TSA) clearances. The program is designed for frequent travelers who pose minimal security risks, and who are willing to pay a fee and submit to a background check in exchange for expedited security.
Registered Traveler is offered by private companies; TSA serves as the facilitator and conducts the actual screenings at security checkpoints. Airports and airlines sponsor, execute, and administer the program while vendors who have met TSA’s minimum criteria provide the necessary systems and processes to support the program.
All operational Registered Traveler programs are operated by a company called Verified Identity Pass under the brand name “Clear.” These programs, which cost about $100 USD per year, are located at:
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Orlando International Airport
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New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport
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Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport
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Indianapolis International Airport
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Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport
Another vendor, Unisys Federal Systems, will begin operating its Registered Traveler program this month at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Annual membership ranges between $100 USD and $110 USD.
Travelers should visit www.verifiedidpass.com or www.unisys.com for more information.
Sources: Business Travel News, Department of Homeland Security
Airport parking – how to find it
When U.S. airports are busy, so are their parking lots. Fortunately, many U.S. airports offer multiple ways for travelers to access parking updates, including which lots are available or full, and in some cases even the exact number of parking spaces available.
Electronic signs – Airports such as Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International use electronic signs to provide motorists with information about the number of available parking spaces in their lots and garages. This information is gathered by sensors or wires installed below the concrete that count how many vehicles have entered or exited a parking garage or lot. BWI also has lights suspended over each parking space – a green light indicates an available space, while a red light indicates an occupied space.
Internet – For airports such as Reagan Washington National and Boston’s Logan International, a visit to the airport Web site offers information regarding which lots are open or full. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is planning to provide similar information on its Web site this month, listing the percentage of spaces available in each of its garages. Travelers using Chicago’s O’Hare or Midway International airports have the option of receiving e-mail alerts notifying them when garages have reached capacity.
Radio and telephone – The longstanding process of providing parking information via radio and telephone is still available at many airports. Low-power radio broadcasts are available on the property of Denver International, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International and Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International airports.
The chart below provides additional details on how to find parking information at some of the U.S.' airports.
Source: USATODAY
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