The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport has recently implemented new technology aimed at enhancing security measures. Known as “credential authentication technology,” this system is currently being introduced at airports nationwide. It involves travelers inserting their ID card into a machine, which also takes a photo of them. The purpose of this system is to ensure that the person on the ID matches the individual attempting to board a plane.
According to Linda Farbstein, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), privacy concerns have been addressed. The TSA does not retain any of the photos taken and travelers have the option to decline the use of this new technology if they are uncomfortable. Farbstein emphasized that the primary goal is to validate the authenticity of IDs and confirm the identity of passengers.
During a demonstration at the Rochester airport, the system successfully detected a tampered driver’s license as invalid, a task that would be difficult for human eyes to achieve. Farbstein explained that the technology enables quick and accurate determinations regarding the legitimacy of IDs. Travelers are reminded, however, to still check-in with their airline in advance and present their boarding pass at the gate before boarding.
As the Memorial Day travel weekend approaches, the TSA is warning passengers to expect high volumes of travelers. This upcoming holiday weekend is anticipated to be one of the busiest Memorial Day travel periods in the nation’s history. Friday is expected to be the busiest travel day, with nearly three million passengers projected to pass through airports across the country. Bart Johnson, the TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York, advises travelers to arrive at the airport well in advance of their flight.
The Rochester airport is anticipating a 3.5% to 4% increase in the number of passengers traveling this holiday weekend compared to the same time last year. With new security measures in place and a surge in holiday travelers expected, the airport is preparing for a bustling weekend ahead.