The Transportation Security Administration said participants in its proposed Registered Traveler program "will experience a passenger screening process that is modified to afford greater customer service."

Chances are business people who fly frequently may be willing to shell out the $80, especially if their companies will pay for it.

In addition to paying the annual fee, Registered Travelers would fill out the proper forms and have retina scans to go on file for the program. Residents of foreign countries wouldn't be eligible for the program.

But critics of the Registered Traveler program — shortened by the TSA to "RT" — say the system that is expected to be rolled out in the second half of 2006 may cause problems, not solve them.

"There's no advantage to this at any airport," said airline and airport consultant Mike Boyd of the Evergreen, Colo.-based Boyd Group. "It doesn't speed anything up and people would pay $80 for the same security they get now. There's no better security. It's just a lot of smoke and mirrors."

The most irritating aspect of the RT program is that it could actually slow things down for anybody who doesn't pay up.

Randy Walker, director of the Clark County Department of Aviation, has told the TSA that he doesn't want McCarran International Airport to be one of the 10 to 20 airports that the RT would be first implemented (to which Boyd said, "Good for him for recognizing a scam when he sees one.")

A recent TSA press release on the RT program says "RT participants will still be required to pass through the metal detector, have their carry-on and checked luggage screened and will be subject to secondary screening by TSA if they trigger an alarm. Consistent with TSA policies, an element of randomness will also be integrated in Registered Traveler to ensure unpredictability and disrupt potential efforts by terrorists to thwart the system."

This sounds suspiciously like the checkpoint system the TSA already has.

The problem with a dedicated line for RT is that airport officials wouldn't have the flexibility to make adjustments to handle traffic flow.

Having a dedicated line for RT holders automatically takes at least one of the screening lines out of operation for non-RT passengers.

Walker offered a couple of scenarios to illustrate how the RT program could hurt operations at McCarran.

What happens if there are a large percentage of RT participants in line? To take advantage of the program they're paying for, they would be shuffled into the one RT line.

What happens if there's a low percentage of RT participants in line? The RT line would be virtually non-existent while all the other lines would be longer. Walker said problems could be exacerbated when large conventions are in town, when lines have a high percentage of business travelers who presumably would take advantage of RT.

Walker noted that the airport already has some experience with dedicated lines, having one for first-class passengers. Airlines with first-class cabins worked with the airport to arrange for the special line.

Walker justifies the special line by noting that those passengers pay much more than their coach-class counterparts and having a special line to speed them through the checkpoint. But if lines get long during rush periods, McCarran officials can send coach customers through the first-class line.

Checkpoint officials have the flexibility to change the traffic flow to meet the airport's needs at the first-class line. But they wouldn't have that same flexibility on RT lines, since nonparticipants wouldn't be eligible.

The Air Transport Association, a trade group comprised of the nation's major airlines, also has expressed opposition to the RT program, citing some of the same concerns Walker has.

The airport serving one of Las Vegas' biggest tourism rivals, Orlando, has signed on to participate in the RT program. Orlando International Airport has contracted with a company called Clear.

Clear promises "expedited treatment going through security, exemption from selectee screening, access to a designated security lane and a stress-free, predictable airport experience."

Clear also is gearing up to serve Mineta San Jose International Airport in California and Indianapolis International Airport. Clear cards are $79.95 and the company offers two- and three-year membership locking in that annual cost, which the company refers to as "introductory rates."

Things go better with: One of the big unresolved questions about the US Airways-America West merger has been answered: What soft drink beverages would be served on the blended carrier that now carries the US Airways name.

US Airways had offered Coca-Cola products, while America West contracted with Pepsi Cola.

And the winner is: Coke, which delivered the best bid for the airline. US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker has said there would be sacrifices made to make the US Airways-America West merger work.

And he will be giving up his favorite beverage, Diet Dr Pepper, which is produced by Pepsi, on his airline's flights.

Delta vote: Delta Air Lines customers will know by the end of May whether they'll have to worry about summer travel on the bankrupt airline.

The Air Line Pilots Association contract vote is scheduled for ratification by May 31. Under the new deal, pilots would see wage cuts of $280 million a year. Delta originally sought a $325 million cut to help the airline clear the way for exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Analysts expect the pilots to vote for the deal.