The U.S. Transportation
Security Administration plans by year-end to add 60 airports to the PreCheck
expedited screening program, including Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field,
Houston Hobby and San Diego International Airport. That would bring the total
number of participating airports to 100.
TSA noted that "in
the coming weeks" it would add more PreCheck lanes at the 40 airports that
already offer the program. It also announced that jetBlue Airways and Southwest
Airlines would be added to the program "when operationally ready." Pre-approved
travelers already can use the program when traveling on Alaska Airlines,
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways
and Virgin America.
Announcing a plan to expand PreCheck eligibility,
TSA administrator John Pistole in July shared an ambitious goal to have 25
percent of the traveling public passing through these expedited
security-screening lanes by year-end and up to 50 percent by the end of 2014.
According to TSA,
"more than 15 million passengers" have used PreCheck lanes since the
program launched in October 2011.
PreCheck travelers at
security checkpoints usually need not remove shoes, "light outerwear"
and belts, and need not remove laptops from their cases or compliant liquids
and gels from carry-on bags.
The Global Business
Travel Association and Airlines For America announced support for the program's
expansion. "We applaud the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security for continuing to advance risk-based
solutions that make travel more convenient and enjoyable for the traveling
public, while enhancing safety and security," according to a statement
from Airlines
For America president and CEO Nicholas Calio.