An expedited Transportation Security Administration screening program will soon be available at Lindbergh Field and 59 other airports, the TSA announced today.
Airline passengers enrolled in TSA Precheck will have an indicator embedded in the bar code of their boarding pass, enabling them to use separate screening lanes, which they can pass through while keeping their belt, shoes and light outerwear on.
Passengers cleared via TSA Precheck also can leave liquids, gels and laptop computers in their bags, according to the TSA.
"As TSA continues to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to transportation security, we are looking for more opportunities to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way possible,'' TSA Administrator John Pistole said. "Expanding TSA Precheck to more locations enables many more passengers across the country to experience expedited screening.''
So far, more than 15 million people have used the program since it was made available in October 2011.
Eligible passengers include U.S. citizens enrolled in in frequent flier programs and those invited by participating airlines; U.S. citizens who are members of Customs and Border Protection's Trusted Traveler program and Canadian citizens who are members of CBP's Nexus program.
Eligible passengers currently must travel on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America to receive expedited screening benefits. JetBlue and Southwest are expected to participate in the future.
More TSA Precheck lanes will be added at the 40 U.S. airports that already have the program.
In California, TSA Precheck is used at John Wayne Orange County International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport.
Airports in Burbank, Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, Ontario, Sacramento and San Jose also are expected to participate.
