Aviation securityTSA testing QR Codes on checkpoint signage
TSA will begin testing QR Codes at U.S. airports; the QR Codes are two-dimensional codes readable by barcode readers on smartphones; the codes may download, for free, from multiple sources on the Internet; when the code is scanned, the phone will take you directly to a Web page or other information without having to type any information into your phone
Sample of QR code // Source: searchengineland.com
TSA says it understands the usefulness and the power of QR codes, and that the agency is about to start using them in a few airports to see how well the codes work with checkpoint signage.
QR Codes from Denso-Wave, Inc. are two-dimensional codes readable by barcode readers on smartphones. If your phone does not come with a reader, you may download them: they are available from multiple sources on the Internet for free. When the code is scanned, your phone will take you directly to a Web page or other information without having to type any information into your phone.
The TSA blog reports that this is a perfect way to say more with the limited space of traditional signage. For example, TSA can have a sign with a couple of tips about traveling with children, but by providing a QR code, the agency can point your smartphone to a video or a page with much more information. This is something you can review before the checkpoint, or you can bookmark it and read it later if you are in a hurry.
TSA will be using the codes for lost and found info, customer service, procedural information, travel tips, and more.
