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Registered Traveler

Registered Traveler programs are cropping up in airports around the United States. These programs allow frequent business travelers to bypass the lengthy security lines in participating airports to double time your way to the gate. If you’d rather maximize your time in your location or at home, membership in a Registered Traveler program will definitely be of interest to you.

In order to join a registered traveler program, you will be required to submit basic and biographic information. At this step, you’ll be required to pay the registration fee of about $100. The second step in the process will take place in person. You will provide the program with two forms of government issued ID (like your drivers license and your passport), fingerprints and an iris scan. The agency will take a photograph of you as well.

How do these programs work?

The TSA is working with the private sector service providers to make the Registered Traveler programs work. The TSA’s responsibilities include setting the program standards, conducting the Security Test Assessment (with the background information and biometric data), the physical screenings at airport checkpoints, and “certain forms of oversight.” The private sector service providers are responsible for enrolling members, verification, and related services. The Security Test Assessment includes checking each applicant’s identity against the terrorist-related, law enforcement, and immigration databases the TSA maintains or uses. Applicants who pass the assessment may become program participants.

Clear

Clear was the first Registered Traveler program to be approved by the TSA. This trailblazer also has the most member airports in which members may use expedited security lines. The different service providers are working together. If you are a Clear member, you also have access to the rtGO security lines in Reno.

rtGO

rtGO is a second program that is working with Clear to provide expedited security screenings. You can use your rtGO membership at all of the same locations as clear. However, you can only enroll for rtGO at the Reno-Tahoe airport.

Member Airports and Airlines

* Air France (operating out of Terminal 1 at JFK)
* AirTran Airways (operating out of the Central Terminal at LGA)
* Albany International Airport (ALB)
* British Airways (operating out of Terminal 7 at JFK)
* Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
* Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
* Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
* Little Rock National Airport (LIT)
* Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
* Orlando International Airport (MCO)
* Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
* San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
* Virgin Atlantic (operating out of Terminal B at EWR)
* Virgin Atlantic (operating out of Terminal 4 at JFK)
* Westchester County Airport (HPN)