David J. Danto

Travel thoughts in my own, personal opinion

eMail: ddanto@IMCCA.org Follow Industry News: @NJDavidD on all

Smile! – October 2024

Science fiction has always let us imagine a world where transportation is just easier. Maybe it was transporters…maybe it was spaceships…or, maybe, it was as simple as walking through an airport without fishing for your ID, fumbling with a boarding pass, or even pausing to talk to a gate agent. Well, that last one has become reality with biometric face scans now being tested at major U.S. airports. United Airlines, for example, is piloting this futuristic technology for domestic flights at a few airports – including my home EWR – allowing passengers to check in, pass security, and sometimes even board – all with just a glance at a camera.

Biometric technology has been used internationally for years, especially in services like Global Entry, where pre-approved, frequent international travelers (like me) have been able to speed through customs using facial recognition. However, this new domestic offering doesn’t require the same pay-to-play model. Unlike Global Entry (opt-in and pay a fee) this biometric check-in for domestic flights is free to use and passengers can choose to opt out during check-in if they prefer traditional methods. But the appeal of speeding through the airport, cutting wait times at check-in, security, and boarding, is undeniable. The few times I’ve used it it was like having my own private security lane. That may be because is it a superior process, or just because no one is really using it in big numbers yet, but it is pleasure for now if it is available on your flight.

This technology promises to make air travel significantly more efficient. Instead of holding up the line searching for your boarding pass or ID, the system scans your face and pulls up all necessary information instantly. The process is touchless, and in an era where hygiene is a top concern, this can be a significant advantage. For frequent travelers, this could feel like a game-changer (again, at least until more people start using it – like the earliest days of Pre-Check.)

As exciting as this may sound, there’s a very real flip side to the convenience coin. While these facial scans make the airport experience faster, they also raise some significant privacy concerns. Many people are uneasy about handing over their biometric data – especially when it’s unclear who has access to that data, how long it will be stored, and what safeguards are in place to prevent misuse.

Despite promises of data security, the rise of biometric systems for everyday tasks, like boarding a plane, opens a Pandora's box of potential issues. For one, companies and governments could use this data in ways not initially intended. There’s already a widespread lack of federal regulation regarding biometric data use in the U.S., meaning that while passengers may opt into this new technology, they are trusting airlines and private companies to handle their sensitive information responsibly. If history has taught us anything – think Facebook data breaches and Cambridge Analytica – it’s that personal data can be mishandled or used for purposes beyond what was initially promised.

While opting out is an option for travelers (which takes the form on the United app of simply saying no if it’s offered) the bigger question looms: how long will this remain a voluntary process? Could there come a time when travelers have no choice but to give up their biometric data? In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, it’s not hard to imagine a future where opting out is no longer an option if you want to board your flight on time.

For decades, science fiction has teased us with visions of seamless, tech-driven travel. Movies like Minority Report and Blade Runner have depicted societies where biometric scans and personalized tech experiences are part of everyday life. We’ve watched as futuristic cities functioned with the precision of a well-oiled machine, but always with the underlying message that privacy and humanity were often sacrificed for the sake of convenience.

Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves on the cusp of that imagined future. In many ways, the widespread use of biometric data, from phone unlocks to air travel, is a dream come true for tech enthusiasts. But it’s crucial to remember that (if you’ll forgive the variation) with great technology comes great responsibility. The science fiction stories we loved also warned us about the potential loss of privacy and the slippery slope toward surveillance states.

Ultimately, the rollout of biometric face scans at airports for domestic flights offers both promise and peril. On the one hand, it simplifies travel in ways that make long lines and tedious ID checks a thing of the past. On the other, it forces us to question how much we are willing to sacrifice in the name of convenience.

As this technology continues to evolve, we travelers need to stay informed about our options and the implications of using into these new systems. For now, we can choose to opt out if we feel uncomfortable, but as technology often goes, today’s opt-in might become tomorrow’s mandatory requirement. The future is here, and heaven help us, it’s in the hands of the TSA.

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This article was written by David Danto and contains solely his own, personal opinions.

All image and links provided above as reference under prevailing fair use statutes.

Copyright 2024 David Danto

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