Mar 2, 2022, 5:22 pm
Last edit by: TWA884
From the TSA website:
CAT is an effective tool for TSA officers, providing enhanced fraudulent ID detection capabilities while confirming the identity and flight information of travelers.
When a CAT unit is in use, a TSA officer will ask travelers to provide their photo IDs. The officer will insert each photo ID into the CAT unit where the ID is scanned and analyzed.
CAT is linked electronically to the Secure Flight database, which confirms travelers’ flight details, ensuring they are ticketed for travel that day. CAT also displays the pre-screening status (such as TSA PreCheck®) the traveler is eligible for, all without a boarding pass. However, CAT does not eliminate the requirement for passengers to check-in with their airline. Passengers still need their boarding pass to show the airline representative at their gate before boarding their flight.
Credential Authentication Technology
What is CAT?
Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) is a security game changer, ensuring ID authentication, reservation verification and Secure Flight pre-screening status are known in “near” real-time at the airport security checkpoint.CAT is an effective tool for TSA officers, providing enhanced fraudulent ID detection capabilities while confirming the identity and flight information of travelers.
When a CAT unit is in use, a TSA officer will ask travelers to provide their photo IDs. The officer will insert each photo ID into the CAT unit where the ID is scanned and analyzed.
CAT is linked electronically to the Secure Flight database, which confirms travelers’ flight details, ensuring they are ticketed for travel that day. CAT also displays the pre-screening status (such as TSA PreCheck®) the traveler is eligible for, all without a boarding pass. However, CAT does not eliminate the requirement for passengers to check-in with their airline. Passengers still need their boarding pass to show the airline representative at their gate before boarding their flight.
Advantages of CAT
CAT improves the travel document checker’s ability to accurately authenticate passenger identification and pre-screening status, addressing the vulnerabilities associated with ID and boarding pass fraud.Acceptable Forms of ID
Passengers 18 years old and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. CAT can scan the following types of identification:- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) ID. This includes IDs for active duty and retired military, their dependents, and DOD civilians. Also, the DOD Common Access Card (CAC).
- U.S. Merchant Mariner ID
- Trusted Traveler card:
- Global Entry
- Secure Electronic Network for Traveler Rapid Inspection (SENTRI)
- Free and Secure Trade (FAST) ID
- NEXUS card
- Permanent Resident Card/Resident Alien Card (I-551)
- Border Crossing Card/nonimmigrant visa (DSP-150)
- DHS refugee travel document (I-571)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employment Authorization Document (I-766)
- Driver’s or enhanced driver’s license
- Identification card issued by or under authority of a state Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent state office that is intended or commonly accepted for the purpose of identifying individuals
- Passports
- United Nations laissez-passer
- Canadian driver’s license
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card
Airport Locations
TSA has CAT units at the following airports:
- Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
- Atlantic City International Airport (ACY)
- Albany International Airport (ALB)
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Appleton International Airport (ATW)
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
- Bradley International Airport (BDL)
- Bangor International Airport (BGR)
- Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)
- Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
- Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Boise Airport (Boise Air Terminal) (Gowen Field) (BOI)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (Ryan Field) (BTR)
- Burlington International Airport (BTV)
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (was Bob Hope Airport) (BUR)
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Akron–Canton Airport (CAK)
- Charleston International Airport / Charleston AFB (CHS)
- The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- Yeager Airport (CRW)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- James M. Cox Dayton International Airport (DAY)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- El Paso International Airport (ELP)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Sioux Falls Regional Airport (Joe Foss Field) (FSD)
- Spokane International Airport (Geiger Field) (GEG)
- Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport (GPT)
- Green Bay–Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB)
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
- Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)
- Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport (Roger Milliken Field) (GSP)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Houston William P. Hobby International Airport (HOU)
- Westchester County Airport (HPN)
- Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (formerly Wichita Mid-Continent Airport) (ICT)
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
- Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
- Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN)
- Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- McCarran International Airport (LAS)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Clinton National Airport (Adams Field) (was Little Rock National) (LIT)
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- Manchester–Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
- Minot International Airport (MOT)
- Dane County Regional Airport (Truax Field) (MSN)
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Eppley Airfield (OMA)
- Ontario International Airport (ONT)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
- Paine Field Airport (PAE)
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Punta Gorda Airport (PGD)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
- Tri-Cities Airport (PSC)
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
- Theodore Francis Green State Airport (PVD)
- Portland International Jetport (PWM)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Richmond International Airport (RIC)
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
- Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (Woodrum Field) (ROA)
- Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
- Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
- South Bend International Airport (was South Bend Regional) (SBN)
- Louisville International Airport (Standiford Field) (SDF)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Springfield–Branson National Airport (SGF)
- Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV)
- San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (San Juan Airport) (SJU)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
- John Wayne Airport (SNA)
- Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
- St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
- Cyril E. King Airport (STT)
- Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
- Tallahassee International Airport (TLH)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL
- Tucson International Airport (TUS)
- McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
- Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
New TSA Credential Authentication Technology ID Scanners - No Boarding Pass Required
Sep 6, 2017, 5:29 am
#31
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
It has been reported here somewhere but it's early in the morning and my coffee hasn't taken full effect so I can't find it. As I recall it's a test program and TSA is getting advanced information from the airlines so they don't need the BP.
Sep 6, 2017, 9:30 am
#32
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
Didn't find another thread on this...
At ORD T2 this morning TSA Pre document checker did not seem to require a BP scan: they looked up flight details by scanning drivers license. I changed my flight from AA to DL on Monday night, and it seems to have confused their system, as the checker asked whether I used to have an AA flight, then asked to scan my BP. But people ahead of me in the line clearly did not have to scan theirs.
Is this something new that I missed? Not having to scribble on paper BP or mess with dim screens or locked phones will certainly speed things up at Pre checkpoints.
At ORD T2 this morning TSA Pre document checker did not seem to require a BP scan: they looked up flight details by scanning drivers license. I changed my flight from AA to DL on Monday night, and it seems to have confused their system, as the checker asked whether I used to have an AA flight, then asked to scan my BP. But people ahead of me in the line clearly did not have to scan theirs.
Is this something new that I missed? Not having to scribble on paper BP or mess with dim screens or locked phones will certainly speed things up at Pre checkpoints.
I manually scrolled through the forum index and located this thread, where your question has now been merged.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Last edited by TWA884; Sep 6, 2017 at 4:30 pm Reason: Oops
Sep 6, 2017, 3:52 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
Sep 6, 2017, 5:23 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 578
I was flying out of IAD last week and had a cadet at one of the service academies in front of me. When his ID was scanned, the TSA agent was curious about all the changes that the cadet apparently made on his itinerary. Interesting that that amount of detail is available.
Sep 19, 2017, 12:13 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
No Boarding Pass Req'd at ORD Today
Just went through the TSA Precheck lane today at ORD in Terminal 3. They had two TSA agents - one was checking ID and boarding pass. The one I went through was only checking ID's. She scanned my passport in a small device and I was on my way.
Oct 2, 2017, 8:19 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, United Silver
Posts: 575
Precheck - TSA Agent Not Checking Boarding Pass?
Hello - this morning at IAD pre-check, the TSA agent scanned my photo ID but did not have any interest in seeing my boarding pass. Assuming there is some kind of "link" between my identity (as defined by my drivers license) and the pre-check enrollment? I mean, how else does TSA confirm I am pre-check eligible? Would not make sense to me that TSA agent is depending on the non-TSA airport / contract staff verifying the Pre-Check is simply printed on the boarding pass, as the validation that I am in fact a pre-check passenger.
Oct 2, 2017, 8:44 am
#37
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
This appears to be part of a TSA test but it sounds like it’s spreading to more airports. It’s being discussed here: No Boarding Pass Required at TSA PreCheck Lane
Last edited by TWA884; Oct 2, 2017 at 10:06 am Reason: Removed circular link after threads were merged
Oct 6, 2017, 12:24 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Hello - this morning at IAD pre-check, the TSA agent scanned my photo ID but did not have any interest in seeing my boarding pass. Assuming there is some kind of "link" between my identity (as defined by my drivers license) and the pre-check enrollment? I mean, how else does TSA confirm I am pre-check eligible? Would not make sense to me that TSA agent is depending on the non-TSA airport / contract staff verifying the Pre-Check is simply printed on the boarding pass, as the validation that I am in fact a pre-check passenger.
In some ways it should be more reliable/accurate because the scan is of your ID so it's all computer matching, and eliminates the possibility the agent misreads your name and the name on the BP. All the agent needs to do is check to see your picture matches you, which happened before.
Oct 14, 2017, 5:32 am
#40
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: AA PLT PRO, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plt. Premier
Posts: 587
New TSA Machines at CLT - ID Compliant ?
Was going through Pre check at CLT yesterday and the line was longer than normal, they have new machines where you no longer need a BP. The guy in front of me had to produce a different ID, I have a DL from a ID compliant state and the TSA guy just scanned it and passed me through. Asked the guy in front of me for his DL, not sure what ID he was trying to use, not a passport that I know. Anyone know what the deal is ?
Oct 14, 2017, 6:14 am
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
What did he try to use?
Without knowing what the guy in front of you tried to use, it is impossible to tell you "what the deal is." Presumably he tried to use an acceptable form of ID and was asked to produce one that was.
The new system does not change the rules for acceptable ID, but it may on occasion require manual intervention if you can't produce one in the pilot system.
Without knowing what the guy in front of you tried to use, it is impossible to tell you "what the deal is." Presumably he tried to use an acceptable form of ID and was asked to produce one that was.
The new system does not change the rules for acceptable ID, but it may on occasion require manual intervention if you can't produce one in the pilot system.
Oct 14, 2017, 8:25 am
#42
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP / HH Diamond
Posts: 592
I encountered a similar machine at AUS (scans only ID, not boarding pass); and it had no issue with my non-RealID compliant PA license. All the agent said is "it's something new we're trying."
(Yes, I have backup forms of compliant ID, just was not expecting it.)
(Yes, I have backup forms of compliant ID, just was not expecting it.)
Oct 15, 2017, 6:46 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL PM 1MM
Posts: 3,439
Oct 16, 2017, 3:55 pm
#44
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Was going through Pre check at CLT yesterday and the line was longer than normal, they have new machines where you no longer need a BP. The guy in front of me had to produce a different ID, I have a DL from a ID compliant state and the TSA guy just scanned it and passed me through. Asked the guy in front of me for his DL, not sure what ID he was trying to use, not a passport that I know. Anyone know what the deal is ?
Oct 29, 2017, 4:16 am
#45
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: RDU
Programs: UA 1MM & *A Gold
Posts: 193
New TSA ID Check System at Dulles Airport
For your flying convenience, the TSA Security Theatre has upped its game at Dulles International Airport!
No longer does a screener guess if your license is valid and your boarding pass is real with a causal glance at both documents.
Now they have a fancy computer screen to tell them all!
No longer does a screener guess if your license is valid and your boarding pass is real with a causal glance at both documents.
Now they have a fancy computer screen to tell them all!