Recent changes to the screening process at airports across the country will help millions of travelers board their planes quicker and easier during the busy traveling season and allow officers to focus on passengers who might represent a bigger risk.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently updated its screening process to help children, seniors, and trusted travelers move faster through airport checkpoints while ensuring the security of all travelers. Below you find some of the latest changes.
New Screening Process for Children
Children, 12 or younger, can now go through airport security without taking off their shoes. To minimize the need for pat-downs, children are now allowed to go through metal detectors and body scanners several times to clear any alarms.
It’s also worth remembering some of the existing processes for screening children at the airport:
- Officers will never separate children from their parents or guardian
- All children’s luggage will go through the x-ray machine
- Travelers with small children are able to take more than 3.4 ounces of liquid, such as breast milk, juice, and medicines
New Screening Process for the Elderly
Screening changes for passengers who are 75 years or older are similar to the screening process for children. That is, elderly people will also be able to go through airport security without removing their shoes. They can also go through a security checkpoint without removing a light jacket.
To minimize pat-downs, the elderly will be able to go through the metal detector and body scanners several times to clear any alarms. The TSA has a hotline to answer questions about the security process for passengers with disabilities and medical issues. The toll-free number is 1 (855) 787-2227. Be sure to call 72 hours before traveling so you have enough time to make any changes before going through security.
New Program for Frequent Travelers
The TSA also has a new program to help frequent travelers move through security checkpoints faster. The program is called “TSA Pre✓” and is available in more than 30 U.S. airports to frequent passengers of a limited number of airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.
Travelers who enroll in the program:
- Do not need to take off their shoes and belts while going through security
- Can keep their computers inside their bags
- Can go through security without taking off a light jacket