TSA to expand expedited "Pre-check" screening option
Frequent fliers on Delta and American airlines will be able to move through faster airport security lines at Washington"s Reagan National airport, New York"s John F. Kennedy, Chicago O"Hare and Salt Lake City by the end of March, officials announced Wednesday.
Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Secretary, said the Transportation Security Administration"s Pre-check program will expand by the end of 2012 to encompass 35 airports. She said the program is part of the agency"s risk-based screening, rather using the same strategy for everyone.
ALSO ONLINE: 28 more airports will test lower-hassle screening (AP)
"It"s part of a fundamental shift in how we approach aviation security," Napolitano said. "Not all travelers are alike and they don"t all present the same risk."
The advantage to Pre-check is that passengers provide extra information about themselves, in order to qualify for special screening lines. Participants are allowed to keep their shoes and belt on and their laptops in their cases at checkpoints.
The program already is available at seven airports: Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Other airlines, including United, Continental and US Airways, are expected to join within months.