Later this month, the United States Transportation Security Administration is hosting a PreCheck enrollment event in Daytona Beach. The event will be held over five days.
Getting more people to join PreCheck
The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program now has more than 40 million members, but there is still room to grow. To do this, the TSA is hosting an event in Daytona Beach later this month. The Florida airport will have a five-day signup event from the 21st to the 25th.
According to the Observer Local News, the event will run from 09:00 to 12:00 every day. Those wanting to enroll will need to schedule appointments ahead of time. Applicants will be fingerprinted for a background check during the interview process at Daytona Beach International Airport.
Photo: David Tran Photo | Shutterstock
The following documentation is needed for the enrollment process:
- Proof of identity
- Permanent legal residence
- United States citizenship documentation (like a passport or birth certificate) and a driver’s license.
“If you’re traveling with children, they can also use the TSA PreCheck lane. Children aged 12 and younger may use the lane when traveling with a parent or guardian who has the indicator on their boarding pass. Enrolling in TSA PreCheck only takes a few minutes and significantly enhances travelers’ experience when using TSA PreCheck lanes around the country.” – Joanna Magley, Air Service, Marketing, and Customer Experience Division, Daytona Beach International Airport
Striving for growth
Last week at the Regional Airline Association Leaders Conference, TSA administrator David Pekoski expressed the agency’s desire to grow the PreCheck program. Pekoski shared that there are 20 million active members in the PreCheck program but that more than 40 million people have been given trusted traveler status.
Today, about 33% of passengers going through security checkpoints in the US use PreCheck lanes. Pekoski hopes that number can rise and that a majority of travelers can begin to participate in the program. This raises questions on the program’s efficiency and time-saving ability.
Photo: Arina P Habich | Shutterstock
In his talk at the conference, Pekoski reassured that audience that the agency would do everything in its power to keep wait times below ten minutes. In order to do this, regular screening lanes will begin to be closed down and replaced with PreCheck lanes.
“As a traveler, I like the convenience of knowing that I’m generally not going to wait more than 10 minutes, definitely not more than five, in PreCheck. That helps me plan when I need to get to the airport.”
Speaking on the security and safety of airports and checkpoints, Pekoski said that airport checkpoint operations have been strengthened significantly. Because of this, he believes that it is now time to turn the focus to insiders and those who have access to more information. Pekoski added that it should not stop there but that cargo screening facilities also need to be scrutinized.
Beyond that, Pekoski highlighted cyber security, noting there are severe threats. The TSA has recently placed a lot of emphasis cyber security on pipelines, rail systems, and airports.