The Transportation Security Administration said today that Denver International Airport is one of seven U.S. airports selected for enhanced security screening of employees under a pilot program approved by Congress.
The 90-day pilot program at DIA will include “behavior-detection programs,” security-awareness training and biometric screening of employees entering airfield areas, according to the TSA.
Workers who now get on buses that transport them to airfield locations from DIA’s employee parking lot already submit thumb prints to verify their identity, said DIA spokesman Jeff Green.
DIA already is “ahead of the curve in terms of biometrics,” TSA spokeswoman Carrie Harmon said. “We’ll be looking at DIA’s biometric access system to ascertain the role of biometrics in overall employee screening.”
The TSA pilot program also calls for 100 percent screening of employees and vehicles at perimeter entrances to Boston’s Logan International Airport. The Boston test includes biometric screening as well, TSA said.
At two other U.S. airports — including Jacksonville (Fla.) International — the pilot program will conduct 100 percent screening of airport employees as they move from public areas to the airports’ secure areas.
The 90-day tests begin in May.
