TSA makes air travel easier for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon Johnston
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The Transportation Safety Administration recently updated their security procedures to expedite wait times in security lines at airports for military members.

Through a program called TSA Pre-Check, active-duty, reserve and guard military members can bypass much of the normal security measures while traveling through stateside airports. Service members do not need to be in uniform or on official travel to take advantage of the program, and their family members age 12 and under are also eligible for expedited security screening. However, other dependants are currently not eligible for expedited screening.

The program is available at a number of stateside airports, but at this time is unavailable at non-U.S. airports or military posts.

"Airmen originating from several stateside civilian airports can use the known traveler security check lines if they pre-book their tickets and use the DOD identification number printed on the back of their ID cards when they make their reservation," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Franklin Livingston, 727th Air Mobility Squadron commander. "(The) TSA Pre-Check is an optional program for civilian airports only. Not all civilian airports offer this service."

Using the Department of Defense identification number, located on the service member's common access card, TSA will verify the member's military status and allow them to continue through security swiftly. The DOD identification number will become the service member's known traveler number, which they can use to book flights and be eligible for expedited screening.

Active-duty service members should present their valid CAC identification to the TSA travel document checker, along with their boarding pass, in the TSA Pre-Check lane. The travel-document checker will scan the CAC identification to verify the traveler's status as an active U.S. service member. If TSA can verify service members are active and in good standing with the DOD, they will then receive expedited screening benefits, such as no longer removing shoes, laptops, jackets, belts and liquids, according to the TSA website.

For more information on the TSA Pre-Check program, visit www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/active-duty-military.