TSA Rolls Out New Technology for Verifying Travel Documents
ABC News
The Transportation Security Administration has begun a test program to electronically verify travel documents at security checkpoints. The roll out began last week at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Travelers have become used to having their boarding passes and identification checked by TSA agents. This technology, known as Credential Authentication Technology – Boarding Pass Scanning Systems (CAT-BPSS), will scan a passenger’s boarding pass and photo ID, and then automatically verify the names provided on both documents match and authenticate the boarding pass. If there’s a discrepancy, a TSA agent will inspect the documents.
New apps help Yellowstone visitors find wildlife but raise concerns
Washington Post
For wildlife enthusiasts hoping to catch a glimpse of wolves, grizzly bears and bison at Yellowstone National Park, the best place to be on the lookout may soon be a cellphone.
New smartphone apps enable people to pinpoint where they’ve recently seen critters in Yellowstone. People who drive to those locations can — at least in theory — improve their odds of seeing wildlife compared to the typical tourist’s dumb luck.
Why we still pay for hotel internet
CNN
For many hotel guests, paying for Wi-Fi is an outdated charge that you only get wind of when you’re up in your room. Now that mobile phones have rendered hotel room phones largely obsolete, Wi-Fi is the new bugbear for today’s traveler.
“A lot of hotels lived well off telephone income,” says Kurt Ritter, president & CEO of Rezidor Hotel Group. “Telephone income was a big part of — I don’t want to say cheating — but overcharging the customer.
“Everyone wants to make money, but I think you should make it in a reasonable way and internet, it’s not a good idea to charge. It’s like the air you breathe, the water you turn on — it should be for free.”
JetBlue and Japan Airlines reach codeshare deal
BusinessWeek
JetBlue Airways Corp. and Japan Airlines said Tuesday that they reached a deal on a codeshare agreement that will make it easier for travelers to book flights between the U.S. East Coast and Japan.
Starting Wednesday for travel on or after Sunday, customers making reservations will see Japan Airlines’ code on JetBlue-operated flights, the airlines said.
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What happens when the TDS can’t scan the ID? This might happen with an ID with a worn magnetic strip or barcode, or it might be another cause such as a bug in the TDS software. Will travelers be hassled or will the TSA agent examine the ID manually and, barring any obvious problems like a counterfeit ID, give a prompt OK to the passenger to proceed?
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