The Transportation Security Administration has created a new national standard for biometric screening of flight crews. The new ID requirements will work to improve security, while also expediting the screening of flight crews at airports. These standards allow for the nationwide expansion of “CrewPASS,” a biometric ID system designed for pilots and crews. With CrewPASS, flight crew members are required to have unique biometric components on their credentials.

TSA personnel will use the biometric indicators to verify the identities of crew members, and can also check their credentials against a Cockpit Access Security System database. This database contains photos of crew members along with other info for identification. Once the crew members present their CrewPASS IDs and other credentials to TSA guards, they are then granted access to secure areas of the airport. With the CrewPASS system TSA will also be able to conduct random screenings along with other security measures to enhance airport safety.