FLINT, MI — There’s no longer any need to fumble through luggage trying to find a boarding pass.

Flint Bishop Airport and the Transportation Security Administration is introducing a credential authentication technology, or CAT, unit, making the boarding process safer, quicker and less stressful for passengers.

A CAT unit consists of a passport reader, an ID card reader, a federal personal identity verification ID card reader, a monitor, a stand and a UV light.

The live vetting system enhances detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent documents by verifying that the traveler is prescreened to travel out of the airport for a flight that day. It will also reduces touch points during the pandemic.

TSA allocated funds to purchase the equipment, which Michigan TSA Federal Security Director Steve Lorincz said will be introduced to all federal airports by the end of 2022.

Each CAT unit cost about $27,000.

“From a safety standpoint, it’s a safer system. From a customer experience standpoint, it’s an efficient system,” Lorincz said. “We’ve been doing a lot of communication with our community. By using this system, we are asking the customer to participate in a more simplified process while not losing security.”

Passengers wishing to board their plane will approach the travel document checking station and listen to the instructions of the TSA officer, who will insert their ID into the scanner for authentication.

“I used to be quick doing things manually, but this is so much quicker and easier. It’s also more secure than the older way,” said Officer Renee Salzeider, who has been a TSA agent for seven years. “We just have to train passengers, but the words already getting out. Passengers love it.

“From the time passengers get from the ticket counter to the security checkpoint, they always lose their boarding pass. They end up standing and fiddling to find their boarding pass for ten minutes. It’s quick and easy for them too.”

While a boarding pass will not be necessary at security checkpoints, people should have their boarding pass ready in the event a TSA officer requests visual inspection, Lorincz said. A boarding pass may also be requested for travelers under the age of 18 or for those with damaged IDs.

Lorincz said travelers will still need to check-in with their airline in advance and bring their boarding pass to their gate to show the airline representative before boarding their flight.

“Flint Bishop International Airport is committed to excellence in service. Our airport has a reputation for being easy to get to and through. This is in large part due to the outstanding service that the TSA provides to our passengers,” Bishop Airport Chief Executive Officer Nino Sapone said in a news release. “This is just one more improvement in their continued efforts to keep Flint Bishop Airport a stress-free flying experience.”

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