The next time you depart Spokane International Airport (GEG), you will have the option of having your identity verified by the latest generation of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at GEG has deployed units that use facial matching to verify the identity of travelers during the security screening process.
TSA has been using first-generation CAT units at GEG for a few years. They are designed to scan a traveler’s photo identification, confirm the individual is ticketed for travel and note the type of screening (such as TSA PreCheck®) that the traveler is eligible for. The TSA officer visually verifies the identity of the traveler using their photo identification.
The new CAT units, referred to as CAT-2, have the same capabilities as the first-generation CAT units, but they are equipped with a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler.
AT-2 units compare the traveler’s photo on the ID against the in-person, real-time photo using facial recognition technology. Once the CAT-2 confirms a match, the TSA officer will verify and the traveler can proceed to security screening, all without exchanging a boarding pass. TSA officers can perform additional passenger verification if needed.
“Using technology to verify a traveler’s identity is another way to enhance the security screening process. We are pleased with the capabilities and efficiencies of the performance of the CAT-2 units,” said TSA Federal Security Director in Washington Greg Hawko. “We are grateful for the investment TSA has made in bringing CAT-2 to GEG.”
Photos captured by any CAT unit are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial matching process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process.
TSA will be using CAT-2 units at the A/B and C checkpoints at GEG. These units are in addition to first-generation CAT units that are in use at both of the airport’s security checkpoints.
CAT plays an important role in passenger identity verification. It improves a TSA officer’s ability to authenticate a guest’s photo identification while also identifying inconsistencies associated with fraudulent travel documents.
Currently, TSA is training the local security screening officers to operate the CAT-2 units. Over the next few weeks, travelers will see more CAT-2 units in use when departing GEG.