To maximize enrollment in its trusted traveler program, TSA PreCheck, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is seeking private-sector partners to help it identify and pre-screen eligible low-risk travelers, TSA Administrator John S. Pistole announced Friday.
"TSA is working to establish a relationship with the private sector to enhance its continued efforts to expand the population of travelers using TSA PreCheck," Pistole said. "By leveraging private-sector best practices in business operations, marketing, and algorithm optimization, TSA hopes to provide a better travel experience for an increased number of 'trusted travelers' while focusing our attention on unknown and potentially higher-risk passengers."
A voluntary program, TSA PreCheck allows eligible fliers who pass a background check in advance of flying to pass more quickly through security checkpoints by utilizing an expedited screening lane that does not require passengers to remove their shoes, belts, coats, laptops, or carry-on toiletries.
"By expediting screening for those passengers who are low-risk, TSA PreCheck enables us to focus screening efforts on the passengers who we know present a greater risk to aviation security or individuals who we know less and pose an unknown level of risk to the traveling public," Pistole continued.
The travel industry applauded TSA's private-sector plans. "GBTA is pleased to see today's move by TSA to engage third party systems to enroll travelers into TSA PreCheck," Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Executive Director and COO Michael W. McCormick said in a statement. "GBTA and its members have long called for expanding the pool of eligible travelers. This will allow new and more convenient ways for business travelers to enroll in TSA PreCheck. For example, we are hopeful that group enrollments will soon be performed at places of business, versus individual enrollments at TSA facilities."
Echoed U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow, "By safely increasing the opportunity for enrollment in TSA PreCheck, private-sector pre-screening will help make more Americans eligible for trusted travel while strengthening security measures. This is more evidence that with innovative policymaking, security and passenger convenience can both win. We look forward to working with TSA and Congress toward comprehensive marketing efforts that will help this already successful program achieve its full potential."
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