Cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages are great, but long lines outside airport security checkpoints are frustrating. Legislation is pending in Congress to allow military personnel as well as their relatives expedited screening through airport security checkpoints.
This legislation is part of a broader effort to move to a risk based strategy where security screening is focused on the most serious potential threats. Recently tests have been conducted which allow pilots to avoid security lines at some airports and have expedited screening for frequent fliers on several airlines at select airports.
The pending legislation asks the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to come up with a plan for expedited screening for members of the military traveling in uniform and carrying their orders. Relatives accompanying a service member would also receive expedited screening.
The TSA is currently working on how to ease screening for the more trustworthy and focus on the lesser known travelers or those who are thought might pose a security risk.
TSA initiated a test on November 15 at the Monterey Peninsula Airport in California to check military identification, as a step towards possible future expedited screening. TSA believes U.S. service members are entrusted to protect citizens with their lives and as such, TSA is recognizing that their members pose very little risk to security.
Additional risk based tests include:
Known Crewmember that now covers 22 airlines at seven major airports. Pilots in uniform at those airports who present their identification can avoid security checkpoints by passing through specially designated gates.
Pre-Check is a program for select Delta and American frequent fliers at airports in Atlanta, Detroit, Dallas, Las Vegas and Miami. Early in 2012 the program will be rolled out to Los Angeles and Minneapolis. Participants are directed to expedited screening lines where they may keep their shoes on and their laptops in their bags. www.cheapfares.com