Amusement parks do it, so why can't airports? Scare people? No, allow them to pay a few dollars more to go to the head of the line. The company who is introducing the program to Washington Dulles and Reagan National airports in the Spring, is called "Verified Identity Pass" of New York.
Travelers who wish to speed their way through the airport experience (and who wouldn't), pay a yearly fee of $128.00 and allow an image of their eyes and fingerprints to be sent to the TSA for a background check. Once the travelers arrive at the airport, they have their fingerprints or eyes scanned and use a "Clear" lane with a shorter security wait.
Airlines are coming out against the new procedure as they feel that it competes with the shorter security lines that they provide for their premium passengers. Perhaps they are afraid that those customers who are paying more than ten times for those premium tickets might think about the savings to be had on a minimal yearly fee.
They probably should not worry. Those people who have the finances to fly business and first class all the time, are probably past the point of no return. Once you get used to the front of the plane, it's hard to go back with the rest of the sardines.
