Expedited security lanes could be open by this summer

Last month, officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said they were putting off consideration of the Registered Traveler program until they had a chance to evaluate the impact of the extra security lines they were adding. But this month, airport officials apparently have reversed course. According to press reports, airport officials have tentatively settled on Verified Identity Pass as the vendor for deployment of Registered Traveler technology and security lanes at ATL. Verified Identity Pass operates the Clear Registered Traveler (RT) program, which is the vendor at the vast majority of airports that offer RT lanes. The concept must still be approved by the Atlanta city council before the airport can contract with the vendor, which assesses a $100 annual fee for membership and issuance of a biometric ID card. The company, which said that some 6,000 Atlanta area residents are already participating in the RT program, reportedly hopes to have it operating at the Atlanta airport by this summer.