Just about everyone who takes a flight in the U.S. can expect to run the gauntlet that is a Transportation Security Administration line. Now, the government is making some major changes to the TSA screening process.
So far this year, TSA has introduced at least three significant modifications. One has eliminated a hassle, and another will save some travelers money. Unfortunately, the other change has introduced a new headache for some folks, at least temporarily.
Here are the details of what’s changed.
Shoe removal
For the past couple of decades, most travelers have been asked to remove their shoes during the TSA screening process. However, TSA announced in July that travelers passing through domestic airports can skip this step.
Those who are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program already were allowed to keep their shoes on during screenings.
TSA PreCheck
Speaking of TSA PreCheck, there is now another way to join the program for free instead of having to pay the typical $78 enrollment fee.
Also in July, TSA introduced its “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” initiative. It enables Gold Star families — those who have lost a loved one in military service — to enroll in TSA PreCheck at no cost.
PreCheck offers members an expedited screening process. Around 99% of travelers with PreCheck get through in less than 10 minutes, according to TSA.
For more on who is eligible to enroll in the program for free, check out “4 Groups Who Now Get TSA PreCheck for Free.”
REAL ID
If you are 18 or older and plan to fly on a commercial aircraft, you better have identification that is REAL ID-compliant. Otherwise, expect to have to verify your identity with a TSA agent and go through extra screening.
This rule went into effect in May, and 93% of travelers were in compliance by that time, according to TSA. The REAL ID requirement stems from a provision of federal law that was created after 9/11.
TSA explains:
“REAL ID is intended to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and identification cards while inhibiting the ability of terrorists and others to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.”
REAL ID-compliant identification can be:
- A state-issued enhanced driver’s license
- A state-issued enhanced identification card
- Another form of ID accepted by TSA (such as a passport)
At its website, TSA offers a full list of which identification methods comply with the new rules.
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