If you weren’t in the know, you’d have missed the pilot of the Registered Traveler program which began in July 2005 at Orlando International Airport.
The essence of the program is once you pass the background check, you’re given a biometric id card which allows you expedited access through airport security lines – ideally, without even having to remove shoes, laptops, or outerwear. One catch is a $99.95 annual price tag tied to the program.
It looks like the registration and biometric id can be provided by multiple vendors and will eventually be interchangeable at various airports. That’s a good thing. I would hate to have to purchase different biometric ids based on the airport. Selection of vendors appear to be up to the airports.
Apparently the first pilot has been successful and four additional airports will be selected for additional testing.
Verified Identity Pass Inc., which began the first Registered Traveler program at Orlando International Airport in July 2005, is planning to open its second site, in Terminal 7 at Kennedy International Airport, with a target date of Dec. 19, said Steven Brill, the chief executive of the company, which markets its version of the expedited security program under the name Clear.
While probably not attractive to your average recreational traveler, the $100 registration fee would be well worth it to the weekly road warrior. Seems like a pretty captive audience, so hopefully they don’t end up raising the fee. A possible indirect benefit to those travelers who choose NOT to use the program may be reduced regular security lines since the registered travelers would be moving through a separate security line.
Read all about it here.
For those of you who want more control over your in-flight entertainment, you’ll soon be able to use your iPod to drive the output of audio and video on the airplane.
Benefits include:
- Being able to watch TV shows or movies on larger seat-back monitors, ranging from 7 to 23 inches, depending on cabin class
- Connections that would power and charge iPods in flight
That’s good news, but it won’t be available to everyone.
There are a few caveats:
- Only the a few airlines have announced this connection (United, Delta, Continental, Air France, Emirates and KLM airlines)
- The service will be available only in seats that have in-flight entertainment systems in place, typically first- or business-class seats.
- Available starting mid-2007
To quote the original article from USA Today:
United plans to introduce iPod connections next year in first and business class in the wide-body aircraft that fly internationally. The Chicago-based carrier will install iPod connections when the planes are put out of service to upgrade its first-class and business cabins.
Delta will install iPod connections initially in its Boeing 757s that fly from New York and Atlanta to West Coast cities. The Atlanta-based carrier chose the 48 transcontinental aircraft to roll out the service because their seats, including the ones in coach, have already been equipped with a new in-flight entertainment system.
Delta hopes to expand the iPod connection service by 2008 to 767s and 737s that also fly long-haul domestic flights, Delta executive Joan Vincenz says. It hopes to eventually install it on international flights, she says.
Continental plans to introduce the service by the end of 2007. While the airline hasn’t firmed up its plans on how it will be introduced, it will probably start with the 41 757s that fly internationally, spokesman Dave Messing says.
Sounds great for travelers riding business or first class in wide-bodied planes with personal in-flight entertainment systems, flying long-haul domestic or international flights!
Unbelievable! If you are traveling internationally, your laptop can be scrutinized and even confiscated for a period of time without giving a reason!
A informal survey conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives discovered that 90 percent of its members were not aware that custom officials had the authority to scrutinize the contents of travelers’ laptops.
“One member who responded to our survey said she has been waiting for a year to get her laptop and its contents back,” said Susan Gurley, the group’s executive director. “She said it was randomly seized. And since she hasn’t been arrested, I assume she was just a regular business traveler, not a criminal.”
“We need to be able to better inform our business travelers what the processes are if their laptops and data are seized — what happens to it, how do you get it back,” Ms. Gurley said.
She added: “The issue is what happens to the proprietary business information that might be on a laptop. Is information copied? Is it returned? We understand that the U.S. government needs to protect its borders. But we want to have transparent information so business travelers know what to do. Should they leave business proprietary information at home?”
That’s pretty scary, especially if you carry proprietary information on your laptop. Never mind the fact that you could be without your laptop for a long while.
Even more reason to back-up your laptop if you’re a frequent international traveler.
Original article located at www.nytimes.com.
I’m inclined to believe some judicial rounding took place when aggregating these survey results, especially since the purpose of the webpage is to attract advertisers. Still impressive.
Admiral Club Demographics:
- Men. (78%) Women. (22%)
- Affluent. Report an annual HHI greater than $250,000 (41%); Net worth $1 million+ (56%)
- In the prime of their life. Between the ages of 21 and 49 (44%)
- Spouses. Married (74%)
- Parents. Have children (40%)
- Leaders. Senior Management (24%); Owners (12%); CEOs (12%)
- Well-traveled. Spent $5000+ on hotels for business (68%)
- Breadwinners. Single-earned income household (55%)
- Real Estate Owners. Own real estate investments (81%); Own second home (38%)
- Investors. Own Stocks/bonds/mutual funds or Money Markets (85%);
- Spent $400,000 in real estate investments in past year (24%)
- On the go. In past year spent $5,000+ on dining (51%) or $3,000+ on entertaining out (83%)
- Big Spenders. In past year spent $10,000 on vacations (37%); Spent $3,000+ on jewelry/watches (41%); Spent $40,000+ on an automobile (58%); Plan to spend more on luxury items (somewhat likely or highly likely) in next year than last year (70%)
*SOURCE: 2005 Celebrated Living Online Reader Survey based on responses from 5,039 Admirals Club members. AC 1/24/06
So, where do you fit among your fellow flyers? It’s apparent that some flyers are well compensated for the road warrior lifestyle.
UPDATE: A colleague has pointed out that Celebrated Living is a magazine that is provided in the front seat pocket in Business and First class only – there’s your bias.
I decided to get an early start this Monday morning because I was itching to get through security, pick up something to drink, and chill out for a bit before my flight began to board.
I hopped out of my taxi at 4:20am and, surprise, nothing was open…including security. That’s right – security doesn’t open until 4:30am so don’t bother coming any earlier unless you enjoy standing in line.
I did happen to be one of the first people through security (@4:35am) and then I tried to get an orange juice at the Starbucks closest to my my gate (Gate 22 in Terminal C). As I stood at the empty cashier line, the single worker, unpacking coffee cups, told me they only opened at 5am. Awesome.
No wonder the security line is so long in on Monday mornings.
Benefits to getting to Ohare early? Having the entire moving walkway and escalators all to yourself!
On a happier note, I think someone at Ohare may have overheard my idea to sell power strips at the airports. I saw, what I could only call, a laptop bar, as I exited security. It was long counter, attached to the wall of a gate, with stools and power outlets. I hope they install them in all the gates. That way I can add, “locking down your spot at the laptop bar” as another benefit to beating security out of bed.
UPDATE: The Starbucks located in the B terminal right before the escalators to the C terminal appears to be open at 4:30am.
We’ve all heard about the “No-Fly List” in all its numerous name incarnations. Unfortunately, it’s another safety mechanism that falls into the bucket labeled, “False Sense of Security Items Here”. How do we know this? Well, apparently 60 minutes has obtained a copy of this secret watchlist (which apparently is not that secret).
This list has several unlikely terrorists:
These include Saddam Hussein, who is under arrest, Nabih Berri, Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker, and Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia. It also includes the names of 14 of the 19 dead 9/11 hijackers.
The list is also outdated:
The 11 British suspects recently charged with plotting to blow up airliners with liquid explosives were not on it, despite the fact they were under surveillance for more than a year.
The kicker is the list just contains names. That’s it. There is nothing else used to identify the people on the list. So if your name is Robert Johnson and you fly alot, it might be a good idea to just change your name.
Gary Smith, John Williams and Robert Johnson are some of those names. Kroft talked to 12 people with the name Robert Johnson, all of whom are detained almost every time they fly. The detentions can include strip searches and long delays in their travels.
“Well, Robert Johnson will never get off the list,” says Donna Bucella, who oversaw the creation of the list and has headed up the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center since 2003. She regrets the trouble they experience, but chalks it up to the price of security in the post-9/11 world. “They’re going to be inconvenienced every time … because they do have the name of a person who’s a known or suspected terrorist,” says Bucella.
In all the movies I’ve seen, the bad guys are usually using fake names and counterfeit passports. But, hey, those are just the movies!
My heart goes out to you business travelers named, Robert Johnson or John Williams. Seriously.
The only thing worse than no data, is bad data.
The original press release was somewhat vague. Fortunately they issued another press release with additional instructions. After reading the updated instructions, I believe relaxed may have been a bit presumptuous…
You can now bring liquids on a plane as long as you follow these guidelines:
Guideline #1
Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag. To clarify – you need to put your toiletries in a separate zip lock bag as shown below.
Guideline #2
After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.
Guideline #3
At the checkpoint travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
The TSA also offers…
Travel Tips To Make Your Screening Experience Hassle-free
- The secret to getting through security smoothly is to de-clutter your carry-on bag. This lets our Transportation Security Officers get a clear, uncomplicated X-ray image of your carry-on.
- When possible, keep packing liquids in checked baggage. You will get through security faster.
- Limit quantities to what is needed for the duration of the flight.
So if you want to fly “hassle free” just follow these simple rules. In the meantime, will someone teach the TSA the definition of “hassle free”.
Sorry, I’m just being bitter for all of you.
I rely on my Dinersclub quite a bit when I travel. I love the fact there are no spending limits. I love you’re given 2 months of grace period before you have to pay any fees. I love the built-in rental car insurance.
Using my Dinersclub also helps me separate business expenses from personal expenses as long as I use it in the appropriate situations. It’s invaluable in ensuring that big purchases, such as plane tickets and hotel bills, are captured and can be cross-referenced with my expense submissions.
My Dinersclub card is indispensible when it comes to business travel. And ever since the partnership with Mastercard, I never have to worry about acceptance whereever I go…usually.
There’s one show stopper – those pesky signs at various merchants that exclaim:
Minimum $xx Purchase Required for Credit Card
That’s the only situation where I’m forced to pay with cash. That’s when I end up with loads of spare change in my pocket and eventually my workspace. Spare change to the business traveler is as good as lost since it hinders our ability to move through the airport security, it’s heavy, and it just ends up, forgotten, in our laptop bags or luggage. It’s a pain in the ass.
Well, I’ve been wrong or rather wronged as this article clearly points out:
Did you know that retailers aren’t allowed to set a minimum purchase amount for Visa or MasterCard? It’s not illegal – it’s just not allowed in their contracts with the card companies.
That’s right – merchants that accept Visa / Mastercard are required to take all purchases with no minimum fee requirements. It’s your choice to make on whether you wish to cut the merchant a break or pay with your credit card, regardless of how much you’re spending.
Knowledge is power – use it how you see fit.
It’s old news the U.S. Department of State began rolling out passports with RFIDs embedded within passports. The RFID is described as follows:
A contactless chip in the rear cover of the passport will contain the same data as that found on the biographic data page of the passport (name, date of birth, gender, place of birth, dates of passport issuance and expiration, passport number), and will also include a digital image of the bearer’s photograph.
So what’s the big fuss with RFIDs and security since the U.S. Department of State clearly states:
The Department of State has employed a multi-layered approach to protect the privacy of the information and to mitigate the chances of the electronic data being skimmed (unauthorized reading) or eavesdropped (intercepting communication of the transmission of data between the chip and the reader by unintended recipients). Metallic anti-skimming material incorporated into the front cover and spine of the e-passport book prevents the chip from being skimmed, or read, when the book is fully closed; Basic Access Control (BAC) technology, which requires that the data page be read electronically to generate a key that unlocks the chip, will prevent skimming and eavesdropping; and a randomized unique identification (RUID) feature will mitigate the risk that an e-passport holder could be tracked. To prevent alteration or modification of the data on the chip, and to allow authorities to validate and authenticate the data, the information on the chip will include an electronic signature (PKI).
Sounds impressive, right? Well it is, considering the original security measures proposed. Unfortunately, I’d put my money on hackers over government–researched security measures, any day of the week. Bruce Schneier (a security writer for The Washington Post) wrote an interesting blog entry that highlights some important implications of RFIDs and your passport such as:
The other security mechanisms are also vulnerable, and several security researchers have already discovered flaws. One found that he could identify individual chips via unique characteristics of the radio transmissions. Another successfully cloned a chip. The State Department called this a “meaningless stunt,” pointing out that the researcher could not read or change the data. But the researcher spent only two weeks trying; the security of your passport has to be strong enough to last 10 years.
If you travel internationally, it may be worth your while to renew now before your state embeds RFIDs in passports. Either way, you should be more cognizant of security vunerabilities with RFIDs and how it can impact you.
Be safe.
Outside of the documented differences between the various levels of elite status, I was able to find, through the miracle of technology, a subtle, but important difference that isn’t well-documented.
Look at the following picture:
This screenshot was taken about 2 hours before flight departure and illustrates the available seating chart for those with a status of Premier Executive. Notice that every blue seat is available, including the exit seats.
The Premier status seating chart, 2 hours before check-in, looks exactly the same except for the fact all the blue seats have a big, fat ‘X’ in the middle of them – even the non-exit row seats.
That’s right – the Economy-plus seats were not available as a choice for an average-joe Premier, 2 hours before check-in, but for a Premier Exec – they were possible choices.
Membership does has it’s privileges.