The US Department of Transpor-tation plans to quickly set up a program to speed frequent fliers through airport security checkpoints, a move airlines have sought to reduce air-travel hassles.
James Loy, the transportation undersecretary in charge of security, told a US Senate panel he wants to start the program as soon as possible without saying when that might be. The "registered traveler" program would ease checkpoint congestion and make better use of security workers, he said.
"We can balance the needs of security with common sense," Loy told a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on airport security a year after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Streamlining security for frequent travelers who undergo detailed background checks would let screeners focus "on people we don't know completely," he said.
AMR Corp's American Airlines, UAL Corp's United Airlines and other US carriers have been pressing for that type of program since shortly after the attacks, saying security hassles were driving away high-fare business travelers.
Details of the program still need to be worked out, Loy said.
Airlines have said fingerprints or eye scans could confirm a traveler's identity. Loy said a computer program called CAPPS II, which the government plans to use to spot passengers who may be a threat, could recognize registered travelers.
The Air Transport Association, a trade group whose members include American, United and rival airlines, welcomed Loy's plan.
"If a technologically sophisticated, trusted traveler smart-card system can be put in place to more thoroughly scrutinize people, then we will have made significant strides toward preventing another terrorist attack," said a spokesman for the group.
The Air Travelers Association, a consumer-advocacy group, has pushed the program as a way to shorten checkpoint lines and let security officials focus on travelers who pose real threats.
"I like to call this reverse profiling -- people voluntarily trying to demonstrate that they are trustworthy," said David Stempler, the consumer group's president.
RSS