TSA Express Check In Coming To Ft. Lauderdale's Airport
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami/AP) – The hassle of going through the security checkpoint lane at Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport may soon be relatively hassle-free for some select frequent fliers.
Ft. Lauderdale's airport, along with 27 other major airports across the country, has been selected for the Transportation Security Administration's "Precheck Program." Miami International Airport already has the program in place.
Under the new program, eligible travelers have the option to volunteer more personal information about themselves so that the government can vet them for security purposes before they arrive at airport checkpoints.
"Good, thoughtful, sensible security by its very nature facilitates lawful travel and legitimate commerce," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.
Once at the airport, those on the program use a dedicated security lane and provide the TSA officer with a specially marked boarding pass. A machine will read the barcode, and travelers deemed "low-risk," will likely be allowed to keep on belts, shoes and jackets and leave laptops and liquids in bags when being screened.
Some of those eligible to take part in the program participate in American and Delta airlines' frequent flier program, others will be selected from three of the Customs and Border Protection Agency's trusted traveler programs: FAST Driver Program, NEXUS Program and SENTRI. By the end of 2012, the government expects select passengers in frequent flier programs for US Airways, United and Alaska Airlines to be eligible to participate.
About 336,000 passengers have been screened through the program since the testing began last year, according to the TSA.
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