BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is considering joining this fall with other airports that have implemented a program that speeds up passengers’ wait time at security checkpoints.

More than 45,000 customers have signed up through the Clear Registered Traveler program, and six airports use RT lanes, as well as three airlines at selected airports.

In 2005, Orlando International was the first airport to offer the program.

The program allows frequent travelers who’ve paid an annual cardholder’s fee and passed a background check to go through RT-designated kiosks at airport security checkpoints using their cards. The cards contain the traveler’s place of birth and home address. It also includes his or her fingerprints and iris scans.

Travelers, however, are still subject to being pulled over for random security checks.

The expectation was for the lanes to be in operation in 12 to 20 airports by 2006, but the program has been slow to catch on.

In a June online news statement, National Business Travel Association spokesman Bill Connors urged other airports to adopt the program.

“There is a huge market for the Registered Traveler concept in the business travel world. Time is money for corporate travelers, and the RT program offers one of the few opportunities to take some of the hassle out of the airport experience,” Connors said.

BWI spokesman Jonathan Dean said airport officials continue to examine the program to see whether it would be a good fit for customers.

He added that with just a handful of airports participating, the program is still in its infancy.

“A special security checkpoint designed for passengers could be established,” Dean said. “But the airport has not committed to get it. At this point, there’s nothing official on it.”

Jason Fitzsimmons, 37, of Towson, travels on business 46 weeks out of the year. He said the lanes are a bonus for people who would otherwise wait in long lines — “especially at airports like Orlando that have a great number of business travelers. They don’t want to get caught up in line with leisure travelers.”

Fitzsimmons said that while he believes BWI would do a passable job with use of the lanes, he doubts many would use them. He said he would be among them.

“I have nothing to be concerned about,” Fitzsimmons said. “But I don’t want to have to be subjected to random security checks” after being cleared through an RT lane.

RT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Travelers can apply for the Registered Traveler (RT) program at their local airport only if it participates. The current participants are:

» Albany International Airport

» Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

» Indianapolis International Airport

» Orlando International Airport

» Reno/Tahoe International Airport

» San Jose International Airport

Airlines participating are:

» Air France and British Airways (Terminal 7 at Kennedy Airport in New York)

» Virgin Atlantic (Terminal B at Newark International Airport)

Source: Transportation Security Administration

drowley@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

5:34 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 24, 2008 re: "Southwest still seeking partner for international service at BWI"

Examiner Reader said:
BWI, like the state of Maryland, is a backwater joke. The only reason why it has any economy is because of its proximity to DC, which it doesn't really even take advantage of, since most the state is run by Baltimore bueracrats. If Maryland were in the deep south, it would be behind Mississippi in everything. I should know, I'm from Maryland. I'm glad to be out of there. I don't even tell people I'm from there. I tell people I grew up in New Jersey.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

12:17 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 12, 2008 re: "Southwest still seeking partner for international service at BWI"

John J. Tormey III, Esq. said:
Quiet Rockland Urges America To REJECT Robert A. (�Bobby�) Sturgell As FAA Administrator In the lyrics of Dewey Bunnell of the group America, from the 1971 song �Sandman�: �All the planes have been � grounded�. It�s time to bring back America. The REAL America. The FAA is more broken than the cracked airplanes it purports to regulate. FAA Head �Bobby� Sturgell is a losing legacy case � the son of J. Edgar Hoover�s personal secretary, planted years later at the FAA, an agency that the powers-that-be assumed Sturgell could never screw up. Well, that failed legacy case named �Bobby� Sturgell DID screw it all up. Big time. The United States aviation system is now at flashpoint crisis. Enter, Sandman. Quiet Rockland opposes Robert A. �Bobby� Sturgell�s confirmation as FAA Administrator. Moreover, Quiet Rockland calls for �Bobby� Sturgell�s SUMMARY REMOVAL as Acting FAA Administrator.

2 agree | 0 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:18 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "Southwest still seeking partner for international service at BWI"

Examiner Reader said:
Southwest is an awesome airline. The more direct flights the better. international would be really cool if it happened. Dulles sucks.

1 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:50 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "Southwest still seeking partner for international service at BWI"

Examiner Reader said:
It's $600 Dulles - Heathrow return or $900 BWI - LHR with BA. So why choose BWI other than for convenience. Last time I flew from the international terminal there were no restaurants or bars to eat at pre-flight.

3 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate