Washington
(AFNS) – Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, as well as
reservists and National Guard members are eligible for expedited Transportation
Security Administration, or TSA, screening beginning Dec. 20.
As part of
the ongoing effort to move away from a one size fits all security approach and
provide more of the traveling public the ability to participate in expedited
screening, the TSA and the Department of Defense partnered to expand TSA
Precheck expedited screening benefits to all service members.
Currently,
members of the armed forces can utilize TSA Precheck lanes at 10 domestic
airports by presenting their Common Access Card. The partnership expands the
program to the military at all 100 airports offering TSA Precheck, allowing
service members to keep their footwear on as well as light outerwear, belts,
keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a
carry on in select screening lanes.
“Expanding
TSA Precheck screening benefits is great news for our service members and is a
tangible sign of this nation’s gratitude for the men and women who serve this
nation bravely each and every day,” said Mary Snavely-Dixon, the director of
the Defense Manpower Data Center. “We will continue to work with the
Transportation Security Administration to help expand this program further.”
The new
process being established under this agreement allows all active duty, Coast
Guard, Reserve and National Guard service members to use their DOD
identification number when making reservations. That ID number will be used as
their known traveler number.
When
arriving at the airport, service members will then be permitted access to TSA
Precheck lanes for official or leisure travel on participating airlines.
“TSA joins
with the American people in showing its appreciation for the service and
sacrifices of our men and women in the armed forces,” said the TSA Deputy
Administrator John W. Halinski, a 25-year Marine Corps veteran. “Providing
expedited screening while on travel is the least we can do for these courageous
men and women.”
More than
18 million passengers have experienced TSA Precheck since it launched in
October 2011.
TSA has
recently expanded this expedited screening program to 60 new airports in
addition to the existing 40, bringing the total number of airports with TSA
Precheck to 100.
TSA has
long recognized our men and women in uniform as nearly a quarter of TSA’s
workforce is a veteran or currently serves as an active duty service member in
the armed forces.
In
addition to expanding TSA Precheck to service members, TSA offers the American
public about the Wounded Warrior Screening program. According to TSA officials,
this program makes the overall experience for wounded service members as simple
as possible. This includes personalized service and expedited screening to move
through security checkpoints without having to remove footwear, light
outerwear, jackets or head wear.
Wounded
warriors or their care coordinators can contact TSA Cares toll free at
855-787-2227 with details of the itinerary once flight arrangements are made
with the airline.
TSA will
always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the
airport, TSA officials said.
No
individual will be guaranteed expedited screening. Travelers can check the TSA
Precheck Participating Airports page for information on locations and hours of
active TSA Precheck lanes.
Further
information on TSA Precheck for military members can be found at www.TSA.gov
and www.defensetravel.dod.mil.
(Information provided by American Forces
Press Service)
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