House Bill Simplifies Precheck Enrollment

A new bill passed by the House on Tuesday is designed to enable travelers to apply for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) expedited security clearance program online, rather than visiting an enrollment center in person.  

But as the changes go into effect, members of airline frequent-flyer programs, who have been granted complimentary access to Precheck in the past, will need to formally enroll in the program in order to use the fast check-in lines. 
 
The House passed the Transportation Security Administration Reform and Improvement Act by voice vote on Tuesday afternoon. It still has to pass through the Senate before going into law.  
 
The bill gives the TSA just 90 days to develop and deploy a system that allows the public to enroll online or at airport kiosks and tablets. It also will mandate that the TSA to consider an automated system for reviewing travel documents of Precheck members rather than having agents check documents by hand—a move that will speed up the process at the airport.  

Global Entry, another program that allows travelers to zip through an airport’s security line, vets travelers by scanning their fingerprints at an electronic kiosk.  
 
The bill also calls on the TSA to start testing a system to screen passengers with canine teams brought in by private companies. Last September, the TSA told TMR that it was ending its policy of letting some travelers use the PreCheck line despite not being enrolled in the program. Instead, it said it was rolling out a canine screening process. The bill, if passed, would force TSA to start testing the program.  
 
The bill’s sponsor, U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY), said it is part of his commitment “to fighting gridlock” at high-traffic airports.  
 
More than two million people have enrolled in Precheck. It was created in 2011 to speed up the security process at U.S. airports by allowing pre-screened travelers to keep on their shoes and light jackets, and to leave laptops and small liquids in their carry-ons while going through security.  
 
Despite the program, however, a recent survey by Frequent Business Traveler found that 72% of people believe the TSA’s screening process is not at all effective or not very effective in preventing acts of terror on an aircraft, and 45% are not satisfied with their last security experience.  

Pic: Quinn Dombrowski