Families flying together may soon have an easier time getting through security.
That’s thanks to a new initiative from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aimed at creating dedicated family lanes at airports, offering discounted TSA PreCheck fees, and more. The agency’s “Families on the Fly” campaign is “designed to enhance hospitality for families” during airport security screening.
“DHS and TSA are committed to making the airport security experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for traveling families,” Adam Stahl, the senior official performing the duties of deputy TSA administrator, said in a statement last month. “The Families on the Fly campaign, being rolled out at select airports, aims to mitigate the unique challenges families face when traveling and minimize stress while maintaining the highest level of security.”
In addition to dedicated security lanes for travelers with kids as well as for service members and their families, the agency said it would soon start offering discounted family access to its popular expedited security program, TSA PreCheck. Travelers who have TSA PreCheck are not required to remove items like laptops and liquids from their bags during screening.
There’s only one caveat: it’s currently only being offered at a few participating test airports, including the Orlando International Airport (MCO), the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), California’s John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA), Florida’s Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers International Airport (OKC), the Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD), Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), and the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu.
“With the Hawaiian Islands being a top tourist destination for vacationing families, I’m thrilled we now have the added ability to expedite their screening process and make the airport experience more enjoyable,” Nanea Vasta, the TSA’s federal security director for Pacific Airports, said in a statement.
In practice, travelers will find TSA agents who are part of the program “standing out in front of the queue, greeting families as they come up to the security checkpoint,” Daniel D. Velez, a TSA spokesperson, shared with BabyCenter. Agents then assist families in handling baby gear (think: strollers and carriers) to expedite the process. Eventually, the TSA said it plans to post signs directing families to the correct lanes
TSA agents will also undergo additional hospitality training so they can be “more supportive and recognize the needs of families traveling with infants,” Velez said.
The family lane is intended for travelers flying with kids under 12, BabyCenter noted. However, all adults traveling with young kids (including parents, older kids, and even grandparents) can use the dedicated security lane together.