The upcoming summer travel season may present a challenging situation for travelers at airports if an amendment proposed by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and John Kennedy (R-LA) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) re-authorization bill is approved by Congress.

Based on an experts analysis, the suggested amendment has the potential to cause a significant increase in wait times for travelers at TSA lines. This could result in an additional 120 million hours of waiting time each year, affecting both TSA PreCheck and standard screening lanes.

Moreover, the proposal put forth by the senators poses a threat to national security as it effectively prohibits the use of facial recognition technology by TSA for non-PreCheck passengers. This restriction could be exploited by individuals with malicious intentions.

Industry professionals have expressed concerns regarding the proposed amendment to the FAA reauthorization, stating that it poses risks, incurs high costs, and has the potential to disrupt operations at airports across the United States. The removal of biometric technologies, including facial recognition scans, could result in a significant setback for the country, with only uninformed lawmakers being held accountable for such a decision.

The Merkley/Kennedy Amendment would enforce a complete and total ban on TSA’s use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT). This ban would remain in effect until the TSA fulfills demanding and impractical prerequisites, which would subsequently lead to a significant disruption in travel operations. During this period, the TSA would need to retrain its personnel, dismantle and relocate technology, and restructure screening lanes, all of which would incur costs and potentially compromise aviation security.

The proposal would also ban the use of FRT for non-trusted travelers, as well as halt the advancement of FRT matching technology to additional airports until May 2027. Additionally, expansion and enrollment in TSA PreCheck Touchless Identity Solution will be ceased beyond current customers and the six airports currently utilizing it (ATL, DTW, LAX, LGA, JFK, and ORD).

Industry analysts expressed concerns about the potential impact of the proposed legislation on America’s airports, warning that if the legislation passes, airports could resemble college bars where fake IDs are prevalent. Travel experts commended the TSA for its efforts to innovate security technology, but criticized members of Congress for potentially hindering progress and compromising the overall travel experience.