TSA PreCheck will now be accessible to a larger number of passengers as the summer travel season approaches, according to an announcement made by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The recent changes include the inclusion of children under 12 years old, who can now join adults without any previous limitations.
In a statement released on Monday, the TSA stated that teenagers aged 13 to 17 can now accompany their PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians through airport security, as long as they are traveling on the same reservation and possess their own PreCheck-designated boarding ticket.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske made the announcement, emphasizing the agency’s readiness for the busy summer season. He also revealed that Sunday saw a significant increase in the number of people screened by the TSA, with approximately 2.67 million passengers—a 12% rise compared to the same day last year. This marked the busiest day since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Pekoske attributed the agency’s improved financial situation for the summer season to increased remuneration for personnel, which he highlighted as a crucial factor. Starting from July 1, uniformed law enforcement officers will be eligible for a salary increase, similar to a 30% raise.
Additionally, Pekoske mentioned a group of one thousand law enforcement officers who have made themselves available to assist at other airports in the event of high passenger volumes.
Screening Lines Under 30 minutes
To ensure efficient screening processes, Pekoske aims to maintain typical wait times for regular screening lines under 30 minutes and wait times for TSA PreCheck lines under 10 minutes on average.
In terms of security enhancements, the TSA has deployed the New Credential Authentication Technology, which enables law enforcement to verify passengers’ identification documents even without a boarding pass. So far, a total of 2,054 Credential Authentication Technology units have been distributed across 223 airports.
Furthermore, TSA implemented new carry-on luggage inspection equipment utilizing computed tomography (CT) technology. This advanced technology allows law enforcement personnel to view a 3D image of the bag, reducing the need for physical inspections. Passengers using CT lanes no longer need to remove liquids or electronic devices from their luggage before entering the lane. The TSA has deployed a total of 678 CT units across 218 airports nationwide.
These developments aim to enhance the overall travel experience for passengers while maintaining effective security measures as air travel continues to recover during the summer season.
