Technology is changing the way travelers pass through airports as biometrics, including facial recognition, become more common. Proponents say this will lead to improved security and faster processing times.
“It’s the future because it’s so much more effective than a manual comparison. This is better for security,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske told CBS Mornings. “It will be better for efficiency.”
Delta and United Airlines are currently testing biometric baggage screening systems. At United, it compares a person’s face to the passport photo, which that passenger has saved in the airline’s app. The airline says the images are not kept.
“The future of travel is definitely biometrics. You know, it saves time,” said David Terry, who oversees Los Angeles International Airport for United Airlines. “We want to do everything we can to use technology to get you from this checkout to the gate as quickly and as seamlessly as possible.”
At LAX, flyers have already come face to face with the new technology.
“I think it works pretty well,” said Maggie Burdge, who used her face to check her bag.
Grant Kretchik also tried out the system to check his bag before a recent flight to New York.
“It’s seamless,” he said, adding that he’s not worried about facial recognition. ‘It does not bother me. I think whatever sets it in motion.”
Terry explained that the system is optional.
“It uses facial recognition, prints your luggage tags in 15 to 20 seconds and you’re on your way,” he said.
At the checkpoint, both TSA and Clear, an optional service that travelers pay to join, are offering a growing number of facial recognition lines aimed at reducing time spent in lines.
“It’s becoming ubiquitous. It contributes to the efficiency of the entire checkpoint, and it’s clear that we’re on the side of the American traveler, and we believe that anything that improves efficiency is good for everyone,” he said. Ken Cornic, the co-founder and president of Clear.
International flights are increasingly using biometric technology and facial recognition for boarding and flyers using Global Entry experience facial recognition as part of the expedited customs process returning to the US
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, it has “processed more than 490 million travelers using biometric facial comparison technology and denied more than 1,900 imposters entry into the U.S.”
But not everyone is a fan of facial recognition. An effort in Congress to limit the TSA’s use of biometrics failed earlier this month. Questions remain about how well facial recognition works for people of color, and privacy advocates remain concerned.
“Using that kind of information needs to come with very robust protections,” said Cody Venzke, senior policy advisor at the ACLU. “And that’s really crucial when you’re talking about your facial print, because unlike a social security number or a phone number, you can’t get a new face.”
For those who are critical, Pekoske emphasizes that privacy comes first.
“We don’t keep the data you provide for more than a few seconds. We have no plans to monitor and the technology is not capable of monitoring. So our use case is to fully verify identity, that’s all. “
The TSA website reminds passengers that while they can sign up for these programs, they are still required to have a physical ID on hand at this time.
