Initiatives include dedicated lanes, fee discounts, and mobile enrolment for PreCheck
The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a series of new measures aimed at easing the airport security experience for families with children and military personnel. The changes include the creation of dedicated Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lanes under a new initiative titled “Families on the Fly”.
Announcing the expansion at a press conference held at Nashville International Airport, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the programme aims to streamline checkpoint procedures for those travelling with young children. “There will be expanded areas that will give them the benefit of recognising that they have children with them,” she said. “We want to make sure that we have the ability to take care of them and their families as they go through this expedited process.”
The programme, which launched as a pilot at Orlando International Airport—chosen for its proximity to family tourism hotspots such as Disney World—will now be introduced at airports with high volumes of family travellers.
In addition to dedicated lanes, families will be offered a $15 discount on enrolment in TSA’s PreCheck programme, part of the Trusted Traveler initiative, which provides expedited screening for pre-vetted passengers.
Military personnel will also see expanded benefits. The “Honor Lane,” currently operating at 11 airports, will be rolled out nationwide for uniformed service members. Meanwhile, Gold Star families—the immediate relatives of US military personnel who died in service during conflict—will receive complimentary access to PreCheck.
“We want everybody to know that we’re extremely grateful for their service to our country and recognise the sacrifice that their families have made,” Noem said. Military spouses will also receive a $25 discount for PreCheck enrolment. To further support the initiative, mobile enrolment units will be deployed to military bases across the country.
Active military members and civilian staff of the Department of Defense already have access to PreCheck by entering their DOD ID number as their Known Traveler Number when booking travel.
These announcements follow recent changes to TSA procedures, including the removal of the requirement for passengers to take off their shoes at checkpoints. Noem also hinted that further revisions to carry-on liquid restrictions could be on the horizon. “Remember every single thing that happens at a checkpoint today is being evaluated,” she added.