OMAHA, Neb. (AP/KMTV) — The Transportation Security Administration is using new credential authentication technology at security checkpoints in Omaha's Eppley Airfield to confirm travelers' ID and their flight information in near real time.
Michael Fowler is TSA’s federal security director for Nebraska. He says the technology is better able to identify fraudulent driver’s licenses and passports at checkpoints and increases efficiency by automatically verifying passenger identification.
It also eliminates the need for most passengers to hand over their boarding passes at checkpoints, according to TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.
“The CAT unit is able to determine if you are ticketed to fly that day," said Farbstein. "So you don’t need to hand the TSA officer your boarding pass which of course during a pandemic is good because it reduces a touch point.”
Travelers will still need to check in with their airline in advance and bring their boarding pass to their gate agent to show the airline representative before boarding their flight.
This new technology is one of many precautions that the TSA is relying on to ensure safety following the Capitol riots and as we near the swearing in of President-elect Joe Biden.
“TSA is definitely working with it’s security partners, the airlines, the airports and local law enforcement to increase our security presence and our security posture leading up to the inauguration," Farbstein said.
The TSA says there will be a noticeable increase law enforcement and K9s at airports, especially those in Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
The TSA also wants to remind passengers that come October 1, they will need to present either a passport or a REAL ID compliant form of identification.
