Traveling with kids? You'll want to know about this new TSA perk
Traveling with kids is an Olympic-level challenge—but few moments on the journey test a parent's stamina quite like the airport security line. Between wrestling strollers onto the conveyor belt, corralling wandering toddlers, and fishing crumpled boarding passes from the bottom of a diaper bag, it's a high-stress obstacle course before you've even reached your gate.
Does it have to be this bad?
Maybe not. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is introducing a new approach aimed at making it easier for families to get through security, and if it catches on, it could be a game-changer for parents.
TSA launches family lanes
Late last month, the TSA rolled out dedicated family lanes at the security screening checkpoints in select airports. These lanes are designed for parents traveling with young children, giving them extra space, a bit more time, and a less rushed environment to get everyone and everything through safely. The goal: reduce stress for families while keeping the line moving for everyone else.
'Department of Homeland Security and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,' said Adam Stahl, senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator.
Who can use family lanes?
The new TSA family lanes are open to any adult traveling with kids under 12 years old, according to a BabyCenter report. This includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or any other caregiver or guardian traveling with a young child. And yes, if Fido is coming on the family vacation, he can join you, too—the airport security family lanes are open to pets.
The family lane is a convenient, but optional way to go through security. In other words, families traveling with children can still use the regular security lanes or TSA PreCheck lanes if they prefer—so you don't have to feel obligated to join if you roll up and spot a toddler mid-meltdown over putting their iPad on the conveyor belt.
More than a separate line
The TSA's new family lanes are more than just a separate line. The officers in those dedicated lanes will receive on-the-job hospitality screening to meet the unique challenges families face at security. Per BabyCenter, the officers will be able to help handle baby gear and make screening of breastmilk and pumping equipment smoother.
At the very least, you won't get the stink-eye from other hurried travelers when it takes an extra minute to collapse a stroller or fish a pacifier out of a carry-on. In the family lane, everyone's in the same boat—and the agents are ready to help you get through it without feeling like you're holding up the entire terminal.
Where are the TSA family lanes?
The new family lanes are part of a larger TSA initiative called 'Families on the Fly,' which aims improve hospitality at 435 airports across the country. But you won't find these kid-friendly security checkpoints everywhere. The family lanes are slowly rolling out at select airports.
The first dedicated TSA family lanes opened at Orlando International Airport (perfect for families traveling home after a Disney vacation!) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport in late July. Honolulu also recently opened dedicated family lanes at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
The TSA also plans to open family lanes at the following airports:
John Wayne Orange County Airport in Santa Ana, California (SNA)
Jacksonville International in Florida (JAX)
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island (PVD)
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico (SJU)
Tampa International Airport in Florida (TPA)
Fingers crossed the next rollout is a 'no shouting about water bottles' lane—where agents don't have to yell, and somehow everyone magically remembers to chug before the checkpoint.
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