Government, airlines work on frequent-flier ID card

QUELLING FRUSTRATION

By Sandra Sobieraj ~ The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Questioned by a frustrated air traveler, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said Thursday that government and airline officials are at work on a frequent-flier ID card that -- for a fee -- would speed regular travelers through airport security.

"I think people would pay for the convenience of easier and quicker access, so we are discussing that," Ridge said. "It makes some sense to me."

A voluntary biometric identification system would be used to guarantee the security of such "E-Z pass" cards, he said. Biometric systems use fingerprints or retinal patterns to identify people.

Ridge said discussions on establishing such a system will continue when he meets with airline industry officials next week.

Ridge was speaking to the National Press Club, where a woman who identified herself as a 67-year-old grandmother complained about a recent flight being delayed while airport security searched her shoes and combed through her bag of souvenir t-shirts, "Barney" books and Swedish meatballs.

Ridge told the woman, who was Caucasian, that even though he's only been on the counterterrorism job for 120 days he was certain she did not "fit the profile" of a suspicious passenger meriting close inspection.

"I'm sorry you were inconvenienced, but those things are going to change when we federalize the standards. And that's happening within the next week to 10 days," he said.

Ridge, whose speech fell on the same day that The New York Times quoted administration officials raising doubts about his authority, said the president's support is all he needs to get his job done.

"I've at least had $38 billion worth of budget authority in four months. That's not so bad," Ridge added.

Asked about the safety of America's nuclear power plants, Ridge said reactors were designed before anyone envisioned an airplane being used as a missile and so the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is working with power companies on upgrading safety standards.

He said the government will continue to restrict airspace around nuclear facilities and use fighter jet patrols or fighter jets stationed within striking distance to enforce those restrictions.