The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced that John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, Calif., is the 35th airport in the nation to offer TSA Pre✓™ to eligible passengers. Under TSA Pre✓, U.S. citizens traveling domestically, who are select Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways frequent travelers, or members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs, are now eligible to participate and may receive expedited screening benefits, which include the use of dedicated screening lanes; leaving shoes, light outerwear and belts on during the screening process; as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags, rather than unpacking them into bins, only to repack them after the screening process.
Molly Biwer, vice president, Communications and Public Relations, Americas, participates in the program and says, “It is slick! The process to enroll was inexpensive (about $100) and easy (a short application and in-person interview). I definitely save time at airport check-in and completely enjoy the convenience of not having to take off my shoes, jacket, and accessories, and unpack my laptop and liquid sundry’s, at the security checkpoint.”
TSA Pre✓ is part of the agency’s larger effort to implement risk-based security concepts that enhance security by focusing efforts on travelers considered higher risk and about whom the agency knows less. To date, more than 5 million passengers have experienced TSA Pre✓.
“Over the past year, we’ve expanded the program, covering 28 of the largest airports, along with seven others across the country,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “In the coming year, we will continue partnering with airlines, airports, and the traveling public to further expand TSA Pre✓, making air travel safer and more efficient for the traveling public.”
Eligible passengers include U.S. citizens flying on participating airlines as well as those who are members of CBP Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS. As of November 15, 2012, Canadian citizens traveling domestically in the United States, who are members of NEXUS, are also qualified to participate. Individuals interested in learning more and applying for TSA Pre✓, should visit http://www.globalentry.gov/.
If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening through the TSA Pre✓ pre-screening process, information is imbedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass. TSA reads the barcode at the designated checkpoint and the passenger may be referred to the TSA Pre✓ lane where they will undergo expedited screening.
TSA has expanded TSA Pre✓ benefits to U.S. military active duty members traveling through Charlotte Douglas International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Honolulu International, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Seattle-Tacoma International and Washington Dulles International airports. Other TSA risk-based security measures, in addition to TSA Pre✓, include modified screening procedures for passengers 12 and younger and 75 and older. TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.