Washington D.C. area airports may become the newest users of a unique travel ID card program. The Registered Traveler program, the brainchild of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), makes security checks at airports less of a hassle for frequent travelers. Registered travelers pay a small fee and then undergo a thorough background check before being issued an ID card which allows them to bypass the snaking lines of passengers that have become common at airport security checks.

This consolidated ID card program is a powerful addition to any business traveler, alleviating stress about lines and flight times. D.C.-area airports, constantly clogged with business travelers, tourists, and international envoys, are sure to benefit from this program, at least in terms of wait time. The program is expected to go into effect in June 2008.
Verified Identity Pass, one of the biggest companies behind the Registered Traveler Program, is hoping that traveler ID cards will one day extend beyond airports and be used in multiple locations such as private offices, government buildings, sports stadiums, even theaters – anything to reduce security bottlenecks and keep patrons and citizens safe.
Such cards need to be sensitive to security risks, and would likely include many features to prevent tampering. An ID card system like the Secure Holokote Photo ID System easily prints watermarks on cards to add a level of visual security needed in airports today.