It's a trend that is quickly becoming accepted reality – biometric identification at U.S. airports. However, until now, it has been marketed either as an elective measure for preferred travelers who wish to expedite clearance or for inbound international travelers.

As I previously reported, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a mandate that's been 15 years in the making to integrate government databases for ID verification. Private companies have been enlisted to ensure that there is a "quick and easy roll out across U.S. airports," according to Jim Peters, chief technology officer for SITA, one of the information technology companies working with airlines.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, British Airways has become the first in the nation to employ the new routine at Orlando International Airport, but all of the airport's 25 international carriers are expected to adopt biometric processing in the near future: