Thread: TSA expands frequent flier program

It is not available to everyone but the TSA is finally doing what so many of us have been waiting almost 10 years for: letting certain frequent fliers (people who belong to frequent flier programs) get through security without removing their shoes and jackets, taking liquids and laptops out of their carryon bags, etc. Although it had already started, I have not flown to any of those airports since the program started, so I am excited about the expansion coming up soon!

TSA Pre-Check Program Expands To 28 More Airports

I am surprised nobody else seems to be interested. Do you guys love taking your shoes off at the security checkpoint?

Common sense and the TSA? Those two ideas do mot fit together. Last time I checked in to this, the program required that you pay a substantial fee for the privilege. Glad to see it is being made more reasonable.

Originally Posted by nealberk

Common sense and the TSA? Those two ideas do mot fit together. Last time I checked in to this, the program required that you pay a substantial fee for the privilege. Glad to see it is being made more reasonable.

What substantial fee? The catch is you have to be a frequent flier on an airline that charges luggage and flight change fees.

I can't wait for Southwest passengers to get the privelige.

The plan I was referring to was the one with which you had to register with a company and undergo an extensive background check (for a fairly large price) They would then issue you a travel card with a thumbprint or similar identification which would show that it was definitely you. You would then be able to use this document to go through an expedited security line at the airport. The airlines had nothing to do with it since it was at the TSA checkpoint when entering the gate area.

Along with adding more airports they will be adding more airlines in the near future. Seatac is being added but better yet for me Alaska Airlines is being added as well. One of the aspects of the new program is that they may change the criteria at any time. You may qualify for one flight and not the next. It will be a moving target. That is not necessarily a bad, changes in pre-screening have to happen to keep up with threats.

Bilizzard, if they are going to keep changing the rules, what is the whole point of starting the program? The program's purpose is moot if it does not apply to every flight on a certain airline and at a certain airport.

I wonder how this will work for international travelers. My 30th airport will be Vancouver.