Enhanced security checkpoint lanes deem to be installed for families with minors and military personnel
In a significant move to streamline airport security procedures and honour the sacrifices of military members and their families, as well as ease travel for families with young children, the Department of Homeland Security has announced an expansion of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made the announcements this week at a press conference held at Nashville International Airport, where she highlighted several new benefits and initiatives aimed at families travelling with children, military members, and Gold Star families.
One of the key initiatives is the launch of the Honor Lane, an express security lane allowing uniformed military members expedited screening with dedicated lanes. Currently available at 11 airports nationwide, this service is part of the "Serve With Honor, Travel With Ease" initiative, designed to honour active service members by giving them faster security access. The Honor Lane will expand to more airports, especially those closest to military installations.
In addition, TSA is offering special benefits for military families and Gold Star families. Gold Star families (those who lost loved ones in active-duty military service) now receive free TSA PreCheck enrollment to ease their travel burdens. Military spouses are offered a $25 discount on TSA PreCheck enrollment fees. Furthermore, TSA is deploying mobile enrollment units to military bases, making it easier for military members and spouses to sign up without needing to travel to an airport.
The TSA's PreCheck program, which already provides expedited security screening to current members of the military and civilian Defense Department staff, is being made available free of charge to Gold Star families. Military spouses, along with families, will be offered a $15 discount for PreCheck enrollment if they enroll in TSA's Trusted Traveler program, PreCheck.
Under the "Families on the Fly" campaign, TSA is introducing dedicated family lanes at select airports to reduce wait times and stress for families travelling with children. Participating airports include Orlando (MCO), Charlotte (CLT), Charleston (CHS), Jacksonville (JAX), and others, with plans for further expansion including airports like John Wayne Orange County (SNA) and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. The campaign also includes upcoming discounts on TSA PreCheck fees for families and dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for service members and their families at airports near military bases.
These initiatives follow earlier announcements made this month, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's announcement that passengers no longer need to take off their shoes at airport security checkpoints. The TSA is currently evaluating every aspect of the airport security checkpoint process to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for all passengers.
Sources: [1] https://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2023/04/18/tsa-launches-honor-lane-expedited-screening-uniformed-military-members [2] https://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2023/04/18/tsa-offers-discounts-and-free-enrollment-tsa-precheck-military-families-and-gold [3] https://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2023/04/18/tsa-launches-families-fly-campaign-ease-travel-families-young-children [4] https://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2023/04/18/tsa-announces-expansion-tsa-precheck-military-bases-and-new-benefits-families-young-children
Travel initiatives announced by the TSA aim to enhance lifestyle for certain groups, with focus on families traveling with children, military members, and Gold Star families. The honor Lane, an express security lane for uniformed military members, is expanding to more airports as part of the "Serve With Honor, Travel With Ease" initiative.
