Long lines at the airport can make flying really frustrating. To help breakup some of the congestion, Continental Airlines is experimenting with a pilot program that will let you put your boarding pass on a mobile phone or PDA. Transport Security Administration (TSA) officers are using the WORKABOUT PRO from Psion Teklogix to electronically scan boarding passes on passengers’ mobile devices.
As part of the joint TSA and Continental Airlines Paperless Boarding Pass program, the WORKABOUT PRO is helping to speed passengers through airport check-in and security. The experiment is taking place at George Bush International Airport in Houston, Newark Liberty International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Boston’s Logan International Airport.
Each paperless boarding pass contains a two-dimensional bar code along with passenger and flight information. Transportation Security Officers scan the bar code to verify the boarding pass’ authenticity and if everything is correct you are on your way. This may not speed an individual’s time that much, but when there is a long line even ten seconds per person can add up quickly.
Mobile barcode scanning technology has been around for a few years now. It’s a good idea that hasn’t taken off yet. Speeding passengers through security check-points may be a niche that mobile barcode technology needs to introduce itself to the general public.
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