Total Number Of Airports With Expedited Security Lanes To Climb To 100

TAS will be expanding its TSA expedited screening program to 60 new airports in addition to the existing 40, bringing the total number of airports with TSA Pre-Check to 100. These airports are expected to have TSA Pre-Check lanes at select checkpoints by the end of the year. The agency also will expand the number of TSA Pre-Check lanes and availability at the existing 40 airports in the coming weeks.

TSA Pre-Check is an expedited screening program that allows pre-approved airline travelers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on in select screening lanes. To date, more than 15 million passengers have experienced TSA Pre-Check since it launched in October 2011.
 
“As TSA continues to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to transportation security, we are looking for more opportunities to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way possible,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “Expanding TSA Pre-Check to more locations enables many more passengers across the country to experience expedited screening.”
 
Passengers who are eligible for TSA Pre-Check include U.S. citizens of frequent traveler programs invited by participating airlines. Additionally, U.S. citizens who are members of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler program and Canadian citizens who are members of CBP’s NEXUS program qualify to participate. Later this year TSA will launch an application program, allowing more U.S. citizens to enroll in TSA Pre-Check.
 
Eligible passengers traveling on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America may receive expedited screening benefits. JetBlue and Southwest are expected to begin participating when operationally ready.

If a passenger is eligible for expedited screening, a TSA Pre-Check indicator will be embedded in the barcode of the boarding pass so that when scanned at the checkpoint, the passenger may be referred to a TSA Pre-Check lane.  Many participating airlines already print a TSA Pre-Check indicator directly on the boarding pass so passengers will know in advance they have been cleared for expedited screening. TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport. No individual will be guaranteed expedited screening.
 
Travelers can check the TSA Pre-Check Participating Airports page for information on locations and hours of active TSA Pre-Check lanes.

The move was welcomed by the industry trade group Airlines For America (A4A), which said in a statement that it has consistently advocated for programs that take a risk-based approach to security, including TSA Pre-Check and Known Crewmember, which enable TSA to focus its resources on greater threats, enhancing safety and security while making travel more efficient and convenient for customers.

“Expanding the TSA Pre-Check program to 100 U.S. airports will greatly improve the overall travel experience by enabling more passengers to benefit from expedited screening procedures across the country,” said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. “We applaud DHS for continuing to advance risk-based solutions that make travel more convenient and enjoyable for the traveling public, while enhancing safety and security.”

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.airlines.org