Airline passengers can now bypass parts of those dreaded airport security lines and get on their planes faster – for a fee, that is.
The Transportation Security Administration recently announced that it has opened its PreCheck program, which allows U.S. citizens to skip the process of removing their shoes, belts or sweaters before going through airport security, to the public. Previously it was only used by travelers who were members of certain frequent flyer programs.
The bypass also allows participants to skip removing their laptops and liquids from their bags, however the three-ounce liquids rule still applies for all carry-on bags. Program members will still have to go through full body scanners as well.
In order to enroll in the program, people need to fill out an online application with the TSA, pay an $85 fee and provide their fingerprints at a government biometrics facility. People can also choose to enroll in person at one of two enrollment locations, Washington Dulles International Airport and Indianapolis Airport, in the fall; the TSA has plans to open more facilities around the country in the near future.
Participants must then re-enroll in the program every five years.
According to TSA administrator John Pistole, about 12 million Americans are currently enrolled in the program, with another three million expected to enroll by year’s end.
It is important for passengers to note that PreCheck members may be subjecting themselves to extra scrutiny as well. According to NextGov, the ‘TSA is weighing a contract that would hire private screeners to parse an applicants consumer data, such as Web browsing histories, for signs of danger before admission into express inspection programs.’
