AIRPORTS around the country are introducing a new feature that will see travelers bypass TSA agents.
It is intended to quicken the travel process by making identity checks take less than six seconds.
CLEAR is rolling out the eGates at three U.S. airports this month[/caption]
Biometric “eGates” are being piloted at three major airports across the U.S. ahead of a nationwide rollout.
Where to find them
On Tuesday, the pilot was launched at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) international airport.
Next week, the eGates will be introduced at Reagan National (DCA), and on the week of August 31, at Seattle-Tacoma (SEA).
CLEAR CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker said “Our expectation is to roll this out nationwide and so that by the time the World Cup comes around next summer our airports are competing and leading with the airports around the world.”
What the gates will be used for
The pilot from CLEAR and the TSA is in preparation for record-breaking crowds expected in 2026 due to the World Cup and America’s 250th birthday.
Millions of visitors from around the world are expected to arrive for the sporting event, and thereby increase pressure on security checkpoints.
The identity verification company, CLEAR, revealed that they are funding the rollout and it will not be costed from taxpayers.
However, only CLEAR+ members are able to use the opt-in eGates program.
Seidman-Becker told Axios the eGates roll out would make travel “frictionless” and more secure.
She stated: “This is making airports great again, ahead of the World Cup.”
“It’s fully integrated. It’s one step. And the total transaction time should be between three and six seconds.”
On top of that, it will enable CLEAR employees to provide other services to travelers.
How to use the eGates
To use the eGates, travelers need to opt-in to the CLEAR+ service that typically costs $209 a year.
Travelers at the airport then just need to step into the gate and real-time biometric verification is completed.
Your face is matched to the ID and boarding pass provided.
TSA then triggers gate access and carries out the vetting of security, with full operational control of the eGate.
Once cleared, passengers can move directly to screening, and bypass the TSA podium.
It therefore speeds up the identity verification process through use of biometrics at checkpoints.
In reassurance of those concerned about security of biometric identity verification, CLEAR have confirmed they have no access to watchlists, and only have limited data like the live photo, boarding pass and ID photo used in enrolment.
They cannot override TSA gate decisions and do not manually open the gates.
