The Benefits of Positive Passenger Profiling on Baggage Screening Requirements

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: RAND Corporation

Author(s): Michael Kennedy; Russell D. Shaver

Research Area: Transportation

Type: Brief

Abstract:

“Positive passenger profiling” concerns finding ways to eliminate certain passengers as airline security risks through a “registered traveler” program, thus making it possible to concentrate on screening the baggage of other passengers. The result would be less cost to the airlines and fewer delays for passengers. Many people within and outside the government oppose any strategy that allows anyone (registered traveler or not) to avoid having his or her bags inspected. Others perceive the benefits of profiling as attractive despite the risks. In an attempt to balance the pros and cons of profiling, the authors sought to find a way to scan as many bags as possible without abandoning the benefits of profiling. This briefing presents their calculations of the costs and number of machines needed for various levels of screening reliability, passenger delay, passenger profiling, and traveler delay.