TSA Says Its New PreCheck Lane Could Double Your Speed Through Security

TSA is planning a redesigned PreCheck experience that swaps parts of the familiar checkpoint for facial-matching technology. Administrator David Cummins announced the plan on October 6 at an Airports Council International conference in Arlington, Virginia. The new lanes are due at seven airports over roughly six weeks, though TSA has not said which ones, and existing PreCheck lanes stay unchanged until upgraded.

Each upgraded lane combines electronic gates that match faces to identity documents, Advanced Imaging Technology body scanners and image-on-alarm bag screening, which flags only the bag images that need an officer’s attention. TSA officials believe the setup can double the throughput of a current PreCheck lane. The bag-flagging software has reportedly been demonstrated in Nashville and Las Vegas.

The economics are part of the pitch. Cummins put the equipment at $4 million per lane set and projected a three-year payback, and TSA is asking Congress and the administration for funding. PreCheck has about 50 million members, and the agency wants to add roughly 20 million more over three years. Checkpoint staffing, about 55,000 officers today, would shrink through attrition of 15 to 20 percent, with layoffs ruled out.

What has not changed matters for packing. Cummins did not say which additional items travelers might be allowed to bring, and the 3.4-ounce liquids rule still applies. The lanes are part of a broader strategy called Horizon 25, due in November for TSA’s 25th anniversary, with solutions meant to be usable within a year across 430 commercial airports. For now, travelers should expect the change to arrive airport by airport.

Sources: Deep Arrival, The Travel