The Department of Homeland Security has announced an expansion of TSA checkpoints specifically aimed at assisting families with children and military personnel, revealed on Thursday.
Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, announced that the TSA will introduce a specialized family lane at security checkpoints as part of the “Families on the Fly” initiative. This program, initially piloted in Orlando due to its high family tourist traffic near Disney World, will initially target locations frequently visited by families with young children.
Noem explained that the additional lanes would cater to families by acknowledging their unique needs, thereby smoothing the security process for them and their children.
Families will also get a $15 discount if they enroll in TSA’s Trusted Traveler program, PreCheck.
The special lane for uniformed military members, called the Honor Lane, is currently available at 11 different airports, and will expand nationwide.
The secretary also underscored earlier measures, such as offering complimentary PreCheck access to Gold Star families, recognizing them as the immediate relatives of military members who perished while serving during times of conflict.
“We’re committed to expressing our deep gratitude for their service to our nation and to respecting the sacrifices made by their families,” she stated during the announcement.
Military spouses will also be offered $25 PreCheck enrollment discounts and mobile units will be sent to military bases to sign people up.
Currently, military personnel and civilian staff of the Department of Defense can avail of PreCheck advantages by using their DOD ID number as a “known traveler number” when booking flights.
The announcements come after Noem announced last week that TSA would no longer require passengers to take off shoes at airport security checkpoints and she hinted on Wednesday that changes in what liquids passengers are able to carry on planes could come next.
“Remember every single thing that happens at a checkpoint today is being evaluated,” Noem said.
