Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem unveils new priority TSA lane at Nashville airport
She added that more changes are coming to TSA security, in addition to recent policy shifts to shoe screening rules, including the introduction of dedicated lanes for all traveling families.
"The Trump administration is working very hard to make sure that we're not only maintaining and implementing and enhancing all of our security protocols, but that we're also making travel more enjoyable," Noem said.
Transportation Security Administration officers will allow all active-duty members of the military through the expedited line, dubbed the "honor lane," and into Nashville's main terminal with proof of service. BNA joins 10 other major airports in the country launching the initiative aimed at expanding travel benefits for military members.
"These tokens of gratitude are just a small amount of what we can do in this country to honor those who serve in our military, but also them and their families and recognize their sacrifice," Noem said.
Why is Nashville Airport expanding veterans services?
Honor lanes are also opening at San Antonio International Airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Colorado Springs Airport, El Paso International Airport, Fayetteville Regional Airport, San Diego International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Homeland Security officials said the airports were selected to start the rollout of honor lanes because they are 'near larger military installations.'
Fort Campbell sits about 60 miles outside of Nashville, but still squarely in the traveler base for BNA. The site supports a population of approximately 30,000 active military members and 51,000 of their family members.
TSA airport policy changes: Shoes and liquids at security, priority lanes
Noem's Nashville announcement follows several recent TSA policy changes. On July 8, Noem announced that TSA would no longer require passengers to remove their shoes when going through security, a policy that has been in place since 2006. Earlier this week, on July 16, she teased the possibility of changing the amount of liquid passengers may bring in their carry-ons, moving away from the current 3.4-ounce standard.
"We're making sure that every policy that we have is a common sense policy that serves people and keeps us safe," Noem said.
The new honor lanes are one part of the campaign Noem launched in early July for added military travel benefits. Some military members already received free or discounted TSA PreCheck enrollment, but now, all military and civilian employees of the Department of Defense can join TSA PreCheck free of charge.
Family members of active military will get a $25 discount, and family members of military personnel who died in combat will also be able to receive PreCheck for free.
Noem also announced plans to introduce priority TSA lanes for families traveling through U.S. airports — not just those with military ties.
"We also recognize that these family lanes are ones that will be specifically implemented first around large areas where people travel with their kids quite often," she said.
A family-priority lane pilot project has already begun in Orlando.
Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why did Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem visit Nashville airport?
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