A new system, called Enhanced Passenger Processing, that is being tested at Orlando International Airport could potentially screen homebound U.S. citizen travelers so quickly there would be no need for ‘trusted traveler’ programs such as Global Entry.
The technology, being tested on selected flights now and scheduled to be in full operation across the airport for the summer rush, uses ‘facial biometric screening’—basically a quick camera shot of the passenger’s face instantly matched—or not—with the stored passport image already in government files. If the images match, it’s on to the baggage carousel; if not, Customs and Border Protection is on hand for manual checking.
Global Entry is a fee-based program requiring application and interview; Mobile Passport Control is an on-the-fly app. Both are open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents as well as citizens of a small list of other countries. Potentially, EPP could be extended to wider groups, but during the test it is limited to U.S. citizens because their passport images are already stored.
