GBTA Applauds TSA PreCheck Expansion

airport securityThe Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) applauded the announcement by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to expand its TSA expedited screening program to 60 new airports in addition to the existing 40, bringing the total number of airports with TSA PreCheck  to 100.

GBTA noted the additional airports will allow more 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.

“TSA is to be commended for this rapid expansion of TSA PreCheck to 100 airports by the end of the year,” said GBTA Executive Director and COO Michael W. McCormick. “Quick, easy airport security checkpoint screening like TSA PreCheck saves business travelers time and money while ensuring security.” 

GBTA said it supports innovative government and private programs to expand TSA PreCheck enrollment. With U.S. companies investing more than $270 billion in business travel in 2013, government programs to expedite travel will increase U.S. competitiveness in a global market, the association said. Visit www.gbta.org

“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 Precheck to more locations enables many more passengers across the country to experience expedited screening.”

Passengers who are eligible for TSA PreCheck 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 PreCheck, the TSA said.

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, TSA said.

If a passenger is eligible for expedited screening, a TSA PreCheck 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 PreCheck lane, TSA said.

 Many participating airlines already print a TSA PreCheck indicator directly on the boarding pass so passengers will know in advance they have been cleared for expedited screening. TSA said  it will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport. No individual will be guaranteed expedited screening.

Visit www.TSA.gov