WASHINGTON - Active duty service members and other eligible travelers now have more opportunity to take advantage of streamlined security check-in, as Transportation Security Administration officials have added two more airports to the program.
Eligible passengers can enter a separate security lane at participating airports without removing their shoes, light outerwear and belts, and they don't need to remove their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids or gels from carry-on luggage.
Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va., and Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, N.C., now participate in the initiative, which allows eligible passengers to volunteer information about themselves to expedite their airport experience through pre-screening.
Since March, TSA has partnered with the Defense Department to more efficiently screen active-duty service members. Dulles and Charlotte Douglas join Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., and Seattle-Tacoma International in Washington state in offering the option.
"TSA remains committed to working with our partners across the aviation community to provide travelers the most effective security in the most efficient way," TSA administrator John S. Pistole said. "Building on the success of the pilot programs at Ronald Reagan Washington National and Seattle-Tacoma International, we look forward to expanding our [pre-check] screening process to additional airports for active-duty service members."
TSA officers manning the special security lane will scan presented common access cards to determine eligibility for expedited screening, and eligible service members need not be in uniform, officials said.
Additionally at both airports, select Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways frequent travelers and U.S.
Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler program members also are eligible to receive expedited screening benefits for domestic travel.
TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no one is guaranteed expedited screening, officials said.