Latest news with #PreCheck
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
TSA expands perks for military families: PreCheck, separate lanes and cost cuts
In a significant move to honor America's service members and their families, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has launched a new initiative offering expanded travel benefits for military personnel, their spouses, and Gold Star families . Announced as part of its 'Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease' campaign, the program aims to streamline airport security experiences for those connected to the U.S. Armed Forces and reduce the financial burden of TSA PreCheck enrollment. The enhancements include free TSA PreCheck for Gold Star families, a group that includes immediate relatives of U.S. military personnel who died in the line of duty. Military spouses can now receive a $25 discount on PreCheck enrollment or renewal through participating providers, such as CLEAR and IDEMIA. Active-duty service members and Department of Defense civilians continue to be eligible for complimentary access by entering their DOD ID number as a Known Traveler Number when booking flights. As part of the rollout, TSA has also introduced 'Honor Lanes' — expedited security screening lanes at select airports located near military bases. These lanes are currently operational in airports such as Austin, San Diego, Charlotte, and Colorado Springs, with plans to expand nationwide in the coming months. The agency is also deploying mobile PreCheck enrollment units to military installations to make the registration process more accessible to service families. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said the upgrades reflect the agency's 'deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by our military community' and are intended to make travel less stressful for those who serve. According to TSA data, more than one million military members already take advantage of existing PreCheck benefits, and the expanded program is expected to bring thousands more into the fold. Gold Star family members, who now qualify for free enrollment, simply need to provide appropriate documentation during the application process. Military spouses must present their DOD ID card with the appropriate designation to receive the $25 discount. Standard TSA PreCheck enrollment costs $78 for five years, meaning spouses now pay just $53—a significant reduction for families that travel frequently. Live Events These changes arrive as travel continues to surge nationwide. TSA reports that checkpoint volume has exceeded 2.5 million passengers daily during the summer travel season, setting multiple post-pandemic records. With crowded airports and extended wait times, expedited screening through PreCheck can cut security line delays by more than 50%. In addition to PreCheck benefits, TSA continues to support the military community through the TSA Cares program , which offers personalized assistance for wounded warriors, disabled veterans, and individuals with medical needs. Travelers can call ahead to arrange help navigating security screenings with dignity and privacy.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Free PreCheck, separate lane for these families as TSA adds new perks
Military families have new perks at the airport, the Transportation Security Administration announced this month. Gold Star family members who have lost a loved one in U.S. military service can now enroll in TSA PreCheck, which offers expedited security screening, for free. Spouses of military and uniformed service members can also get a $25 discount on their enrollment fee. Those fees currently range from $76.75 to $85 depending on the enrollment provider travelers choose, according to TSA's website. Eligible travelers can find enrollment instructions on TSA's website. The agency also said military members 'at select airports near larger military installations' can get expedited access in PreCheck lanes. 'This Independence Day and beyond, TSA reaffirms its commitment to ease travel for the military community through its TSA PreCheck program by providing it free to Gold Star families, discounting it for military spouses and creating expedited lanes for service members,' TSA Acting Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said in an early July news release. 'By expanding access, easing enrollment and partnering with our TSA PreCheck enrollment providers and industry partners, we strive to honor those who serve and the families who stand beside them.' The following airports have military lanes: Those aren't the only changes TSA has made in recent weeks. The agency ended its shoe-removal policy in early July, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hinted days later that the agency may change its policy on liquids, which are largely restricted to 3.4 ounces per container in carry-ons.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
TSA is giving parents their own security lanes to make family travel less stressful
From family-only security lanes to TSA PreCheck discounts, here's how the new campaign is transforming air travel for parents. Traveling through airport security with kids just got easier. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announces the 'Families on the Fly' campaign, a groundbreaking initiative designed to make air travel more accommodating for families. Dedicated family lanes and personalized support Launched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and unveiled by Secretary Noem, 'Families on the Fly' introduces dedicated security lanes for families at select airports. These family lanes are already operational at Orlando International (MCO) and Charlotte-Douglas International (CLT), with plans to expand to John Wayne Airport (SNA), Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL), and others in the coming months. This latest initiative continues the agency's mission to bring the U.S. into the "Golden Age of Travel", emphasizing customer experience and hospitality while maintaining high security standards. The dedicated family lanes provide a streamlined process, where TSA officers are trained to work with children and parents in a more patient and supportive manner. 'DHS and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,' said Adam Stahl, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy TSA Administrator. 'This is about meeting families where they are and supporting them with smarter solutions.' The TSA PreCheck discount: A smart move or strategic pivot? Perhaps the most notable addition to the campaign is the upcoming discounted TSA PreCheck® fee for families. While full details on pricing and eligibility haven't been released, TSA confirmed that this offering will launch soon, likely in time to help families prepare for the holiday travel season. This move appears to be more than just a goodwill gesture; it's a timely response to the lingering question: Is TSA PreCheck still a valuable option? After the agency revised its policy of requiring passengers to remove their shoes during security screenings nationwide, a policy rooted in the infamous 2001 'Shoe Bomber' incident, many travelers, especially parents, began reevaluating the benefits of enrolling in TSA PreCheck. PreCheck allows approved travelers to bypass many of the standard screening hassles, such as removing shoes and liquids, which is also on the chopping block. For families, this means fewer meltdowns and faster processing through security checkpoints. The new discount could be the push many need to justify their decision to finally sign up, although children 17 and under can currently enjoy TSA PreCheck perks if traveling with an enrolled parent or guardian. Why now? The TSA has long walked a tightrope between security and convenience. But with mounting criticism from everyday travelers and public figures, the agency is clearly feeling the pressure to evolve. Between the Families on the Fly campaign, upcoming TSA PreCheck discounts, and underutilized services like TSA Cares, it's clear that the agency is making meaningful strides to accommodate families. TSA no longer views its role as just a security enforcer, but as a hospitality partner. As the program expands to more airports, including Tampa International (TPA), Charleston (CHS), Jacksonville (JAX), and San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU), families across the country can expect a more humane and supportive travel experience. With summer in full swing and the holiday season just around the corner, these changes couldn't have come at a better time. Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
6 days ago
- The Hill
TSA expands security checkpoint lanes for some passengers
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday announced an expanded security checkpoint lane for families traveling with children. 'They'll be expanded areas that will give them the benefit of recognizing that they have children with them, and will help make sure that we have the ability to take care of them and their families as they go through this expedited process with their kiddos,' Noem said at a press conference in Nashville. The 'Families on the Fly' program will also provide parents with a $15 discount on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck enrollment, Noem said. A pilot program is currently underway in Orlando. Noem said she chose the site because of its proximity to Disney World. On Thursday, Noem also celebrated the Honor Lane opening, a measure adopted by 11 airports to create a special TSA security lane allotted for military members and their families as 'tokens of gratitude.' Servicemembers are also provided additional benefits under Noem's 'Serve With Honor, Travel With Ease' initiative. TSA will also begin offering Gold Star families, a term for those who have lost an immediate family member in the service, cost-free access to the TSA PreCheck program. The spouses of servicemembers are also eligible for a $25 discount on their application, according to CNN. The security changes come days after Noem said travelers would be allowed to keep on their shoes when undergoing screening at the airport. In recent days, Noem also signaled she may soon alter liquid weight restrictions for passengers on planes.
New York Post
6 days ago
- New York Post
TSA announces big airport upgrade for families and military members
Pack your bags, fam. Transportation Security Administration checkpoints are expanding for families traveling with children and military members, the Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday. Under a program dubbed 'Families on the Fly,' TSA will add a family lane at security checkpoints, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said at a press conference at Nashville International Airport, per CNN. Advertisement 3 Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference at the Nashville International Airport, Thursday, July 17, 2025. AP Photo/George Walker IV A pilot program was tested in Orlando due to its close proximity to Disney World, and it will start its rollout in locations where families travel with children often. 'There will be expanded areas that will give them the benefit of recognizing that they have children with them and will help make sure that we have the ability to take care of them and their families as they go through this expedited process with their kiddos,' Noem said. Advertisement Families who enroll in TSA PreCheck will also get a $15 discount. Additionally, a dedicated lane for uniformed military members, called the Honor Lane — which is already available at 11 different airports — will be expanded nationwide. Initiatives announced earlier this month included providing access to PreCheck free of charge for Gold Star families, the immediate family members of a service member who died as a result of active-duty military service, which Noem highlighted at the press conference. 3 TSA will add a dedicated family lane at security checkpoints. AP Photo/George Walker IV Advertisement Military spouses will also be offered an enrollment discount of $25 for PreCheck, and mobile units will be sent to military bases to get people signed up. Current military members and civilian Defense Department staff already have access to PreCheck when they include their DOD ID number as their known traveler number when making an airline reservation. 'We want everybody to know that we're extremely grateful for their service to our country and recognize the sacrifice that their families have made,' she said. 3 The Honor Lane — which is already available at 11 different airports — will be expanded nationwide. AP Advertisement The new expansions come shortly after the announcement that TSA will no longer require passengers to remove their shoes at agency checkpoints — even if you don't have TSA PreCheck. Noem also suggested that she is pushing the TSA to ease up on its liquids, aerosols, and gels rule. 'Remember, every single thing that happens at a checkpoint today is being evaluated,' Noem said.
