TSA Announces Expansion of Expedited Screening
(WASHINGTON) – Today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that more passengers will be eligible for expedited security screening through TSA's Trusted Traveler program by the end of the year. Through this update to the program, TSA will determine if passengers are of low risk based on variety of factors including information they already provide when purchasing their tickets. Passengers who are chosen for expedited screening will be able to pass through screening checkpoints using PreCheck lanes.
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the announcement:
I support Administrator Pistole's efforts to provide expedited screening to those who pose no threat to aviation security. I hope the expansion of an expedited screening process will reduce waiting times and inconvenience at check points, however, my support of the program goals does not come without serious questions about the program's underlying premise and implementation strategy. It is my current understanding that the expedited screening program will use information originally collected for a different program without the consent of passengers. I will be reviewing TSA's Privacy Impact Assessment to ensure we have a much clearer picture on whether the benefit of this program is worth the potential privacy costs.
Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), Ranking Member of the Committee's Transportation Security Subcommittee, added the following statement:
I am extremely pleased that TSA continues to expand the number of people eligible for expedited screening. I will continue to work with TSA to ensure that this new Risk Assessment program protects the flying public and expedites the security screening process while at the same time guards traveler's private information.
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