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Trusted Travelers; Where do I sign up?
Topic Started: Dec 13 2010, 05:58 AM (92 Views)
George K
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Finally
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7020678731?Mexico,%20U.S.%20Agree%20on%20Trusted%20Traveler%20Program
Quote:
 
The U.S. and Mexican governments signed agreements Tuesday designed to improve airline security as Mexico continues its war against drug cartels. The two countries also agreed to seek ways to protect immigrants, who are often targeted by criminals as they cross over the international border.

“In the face of ever-evolving multinational threats, the United States is committed to working with our international partners to enhance information-sharing and our mutual security,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement.

She signed the treaty on behalf of the United States at a ceremony in Mexico City.

A key part of the agreement is a trusted traveler program that allows airline passengers who have undergone rigorous background checks to bypass lengthy screenings at airport checkpoints. They also must provide biometric information – such as fingerprints – that can be encoded onto trusted traveler cards and run through electronic card readers.

The travelers also must answer customs declaration questions on touch-screen kiosks, then present transaction receipts to customs agents before leaving the inspection area.

The program thereby gives Customs and Border Protection agents more time to focus on searching other travelers and their baggage, or what Napolitano called the “greatest risk.”

The new method for screening passengers is based on Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program.

Another part of the agreement called for greater information sharing about travelers.

Mexican Interior Ministry Secretary Jose Francisco Blake Mora signed the treaty on behalf of Mexico.

He said the treaty opens a dialogue on methods “to reduce the flow of arms into Mexico and strengthen border security.”

Illegal weapons imported into Mexico are a hot topic in the drug war that started in December 2006, when Mexican President Felipe Calderon ordered troops to help crack down on gangs.

Mexico blames the United States for failing to prevent weapons from being shipped illegally across the border to be used against the police and military.

The U.S. government says Mexico shares the blame for allowing drug cartels to gain too much power.

Blake Mora said about 84 million Mexicans could qualify for the Global Entry program.

“It facilitates the entry of business travelers and tourists, whose activities are key factors for economic development, growth of trade and cultural exchange,” he said.

Does such a program exist for...our citizens? Can these "trusted travelers" avoid TSA pat-downs or x-ray screenings?

Seriously.

I really don't know.
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brenda
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..............
Didn't we have something like this before for frequent travellers from the US? The Clear Registered Traveler Program it was called. Was it only for flights within the US?

http://www.gadling.com/2007/09/18/clear-traveler-register-for-a-fast-pass-through-airport-securit/

“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
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George K
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Finally
Thanks, Brenda. I was wondering.
Quote:
 
First, you go through a background check for TSA approval, and once you are found to be a-okay, you're issued a card that has your encrypted fingerprint image or an iris scan. This is not a through the mail process, but involves an in-person visit.

At the airport, you insert your card into a kiosk that reads it and matches the card with your fingerprint when you put your finger on the scanner. Once cleared, you get a clearance stamp that shows TSA you are good to go. You and your baggage still have to go through TSA screening, but I assume this is faster? Otherwise, what's the darned pass for? Still, it does sound very James Bondy or something. This is biometrics, baby.

Not all airports have this service, but the list is growing. Clear security lanes in La Guardia in New York are the lastest ones--they were to open this month.

The membership fee runs about $100 per year.

This seems to be a private enterprise: http://www.clearme.com/

And it also appears to be only at 2 (!) airports. http://www.clearme.com/Content.aspx?content=WhereItWorks
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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brenda
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..............
Perhaps the 2007 program got scrapped. I haven't read or heard anything of it lately, and you would think the program would get mentioned more now.
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
My VP told me he went through something like this a couple of weeks ago - they took all kinds of biometric scans, retinal photograph etc. From what he said, I don't think it absolves you from pat-downs, but it gets you through immigration quicker when you arrive at your destination.

He is a Greek-born US citizen, who due to his facial characteristics (i.e. he pretty much looks like a terrorist) tends to attract more than his fair share of attention from security personnel, despite the much publicised complete lack of profiling that takes place :lol:
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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George K
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Finally
Seems like there's a number of these companies:

Quote:
 
The Registered Traveler Pilot Program was an airline passenger security assessment system tested in the United States air travel industry in 2005. It was used in several U.S. airports in a voluntary pilot phase and continues in operation in several airports around the country. It is administered by TTAC, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) office responsible for Secure Flight, the replacement for the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS) and the canceled CAPPS II counter-terrorism system. Registered Traveler is a public and private partnership between the TSA and the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium (RTIC) providing rules and standards for private Enrollment Providers that sign up participants. At 11:00 p.m. PST on June 22, 2009, Clear (the largest of the three companies offering the Registered Traveler program) ceased operations due to the fact that Clear and its parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc., have filed for bankruptcy.

Quote:
 
The program seeks to identify passengers who pose a minimal security risk, and then provide those passengers an enhanced security checkpoint experience. Passengers will voluntarily pay a fee and submit to a background check to become a Registered Traveler. Passengers who pass the background check will be issued a smartcard credential for use at the security checkpoints of airports that participate in the program. Registered Travelers will have access to a reserved security lane and will enjoy a shorter wait at the security checkpoint. Other benefits, such as allowing Registered Travelers to keep their coats and shoes on and their laptops in their bags have also been discussed. Any U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident over the age of 18 can apply for membership, as can minors over the age of 12 with parental or guardian sponsorship.
In order to prevent a terrorist with a clean background from compromising the system, the TSA requires that registered travelers undergo the normal TSA screening (baggage x-ray and personal metal detector), at the RT kiosk checkpoint. Additionally, Registered Travelers are not exempt from random secondary screening and may not bring prohibited items into secure areas of terminals.

Edited by George K, Dec 13 2010, 06:48 AM.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
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