U.s. Airlines and Airports Test New Screening Programs to Cut Wait Times

The initiatives include biometric technology and remote check-in facilities, though they are limited so far. Laura Albert, an engineering professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the industry has been "very traditional and labor intensive" and is overdue for some innovation and experimentation. These efforts won't prevent delays from future government shutdowns, but a separate program called Gold+ lets airports use private screeners instead of TSA agents. Only three airports have opted in, and the TSA workers' union has criticized it as potentially unsafe.