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PTI Airport expanding facial recognition technology

TSA uses machines to match traveler’s faces to their IDs. TSA said the technology helps cut down on imposters and the time it takes at TSA checkpoints.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Get ready to say 'cheese' the next time you go through security at PTI airport.

TSA started using the facial recognition technology to make security checks more secure at PTI. Now it has plans to add more.

WFMY News 2's Nixon Norman learned how it works and got reaction from travelers.

Currently, there are seven machines at PTI that compare your face to the picture on your ID.

TSA said they help cut down on imposters and the time it takes to go through their checkpoints.

But with technology becoming more and more invasive... What do people actually think about these machines? Well, there are mixed reactions. 

"They just started doing it here at GSO but they've been doing it at a lot of other, bigger airports across the nation," John Avelino from Asheboro said. 

Facial recognition technology is nothing new to Avelino, a frequent flyer out of PTI.

"When you come up, they ask for your drivers license and they take a picture of you just to verify that it's you and you go through the regular security after that," Avelino said. 

Rolling out these machines are all apart of a safety initiative by TSA. 

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"Not only [does the technology] verify the person's photo with the person's drivers license or passport, but it also confirms the passengers flight status for that day," North Carolina's Spokesperson for TSA, Dan Velez said. 

According to Velez, this technology is no more invasive than other technology we use on a daily basis, "this is no different than you using your face to open up your iPhone or your android."

Velez also said the photos are kept for up to 72 hours at most. They are almost always deleted after a persons identity is verified.

You can also opt out altogether and choose a worker to verify it's you.

People on both sides of the isle were at PTI Friday. 

"It's just for safety and I think it's okay because I have nothing to hide. So, it's ok if they take pictures and verify my identification, that's fine," Sylvia Ofori-Boadu visiting Greensboro from Ghana said. 

"It doesn't bother me. We're carrying around cell phones that are listening to us all the time, plus they do a full body scan whenever you go through anyways, so you don't have any privacy anymore," Avelino said. 

"I don't know, I think it's kind of sketchy. You know because you have your body right there, you have your ID, and you've got everything else you need. Taking pictures and stuff like that is kind of sketchy for me," Elliott Drake from Burlington said.

Drake has a hard time trusting TSA deletes the photos, "that's kind of hard for me to believe. That's kind of hard... because nothing is really ever truly deleted."

Velez said if someone is found to be lying about their identity, agents will call local law enforcement and things will be handled from there.

PTI will install 3 more of these machines by the end of the month. 

RELATED: Fact check: Real ID frequently asked questions

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