O’Hare International Airport in Chicago has unveiled the Known Crew member program that enables airline pilot to bypass security checks or explosives and other prohibited items in an effort to speed up security lines, according to a Chicago Tribune article.
While pilots and other crew members are voicing approval of the program as it reduces their displeasure with security screenings, security experts have come out against the program for not including biometrics.
One of the major reasons security experts are so quick to point out the flaw with the new program is that two of the earlier tests of the program involved the use of biometrics with the final result foregoing the technology.
Though the TSA acknowledge the possibility to add a biometric element down the road, airline officials are citing cost as the main issue in keeping them from including biometrics in the identity checking of pilots.
The Known Passenger program is expected to be rolled out next at Miami International Airport by the end of August with Boston Logan International, Washington Dulles International, Minneapolis-St. Paul International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International and Seattle-Tacoma International to soon follow. Additionally, pressure is being put on the Transportation Security Administration to begin including flight attendants in the program.
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