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TSA Rolls Out Expedited Screening Program At SoCal Airports

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — Southern California residents can go through expedited security at airports nationwide under a new program offered by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

TSA processing centers are set to open Wednesday in Carson, Glendale and Signal Hill to expand the agency's Pre-Check program, which allows travelers to go through expedited security at Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport, Burbank's Bob Hope Airport and almost every other midsize and major U.S. airport.

Under the program, which requires a background check, fingerprints, and an application fee of $85 for a five-year membership, travelers receive a unique Known Traveler Number (KTN). They then become eligible to utilize select screening lanes at security checkpoints for nine major U.S. airlines at more than 100 participating airports.

Pre-Check travelers are allowed to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep laptops in their cases and a TSA-compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on bag.

According to the official TSA blog, the agency will not be using car registrations, employment information or other "private databases" in the background check.

Initially opened exclusively for elite frequent fliers on United, American and other U.S. airlines, the Pre-Check program has processed more than 25 million passengers nationwide, officials said.

However, CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg found one common concern among frequent travelers is that Pre-Check lines will grow increasingly longer as the program expands, thus defeating its initial purpose.

The agency hopes to enroll up to half of all U.S. passengers by the end of 2014, according to the Daily News.

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