Rapid Travel Chai

Following yesterday’s post on US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTI, the TSA today announced:

…as part of a pilot beginning this fall, TSA will test enhancements
to TSA’s pre-flight, identity-based screening capabilities through a
partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as
U.S. air carriers.

During the first phase of testing, certain frequent fliers and
certain members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs, including members
of Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS, who are U.S. citizens will be
eligible to participate in this pilot, which could qualify them for
expedited screening at select checkpoints at certain airports.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Detroit Metropolitan
Wayne County airports, certain frequent fliers from Delta Air Lines
and certain members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs who are U.S.
citizens and who are also flying on Delta will be eligible to
participate in the pilot. At Miami International and Dallas Fort Worth
International airports, certain frequent fliers from American Airlines
and certain members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs who are U.S.
citizens and who are also flying on American will be eligible. TSA
plans to expand this pilot to include United Airlines, Southwest,
JetBlue, US Airways, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines, as well as
additional airports, once operationally ready.

Photo by Omar Omar

Details are sketchy at this time, but Delta has already been sending emails about this program, adding:

TSA will determine eligibility for inclusion in the trial on a per-flight-segment basis and does not guarantee that you would receive expedited screening on future travel. To be considered, you will be required to opt in for this trial. Details on the opt-in process will follow in future communications.

We appreciate your patience while TSA tests these adjustments to their screening process that ultimately may expedite the screening for airline passengers and improve your travel experience.

American has been sending out nearly identical emails.

For those who seldom travel internationally, this potential improvement in TSA security screening for both domestic and international could easily justify enrollment in a Trusted Traveler program.

Readers, what do you think?  Will this develop into a useful, widespread program? When?