United expedites travel process
United Airlines has unveiled details of the launch of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program at O’Hare International Airport, Terminal 1. TSA PreCheck is a new risk-based, pre-screening initiative that allows customers to volunteer information about themselves that may make them eligible to expedite their screening experience. Eligible United customers travelling through Terminal 1 at O’Hare are allowed to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belts and to keep their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids and gels in their carry-ons. United’s senior vice-president of network operations and United Express, Alex Marren said: “The TSA PreCheck process will make our customers’ overall experience easier. We have a great partnership with the TSA and appreciate their efforts to make the screening process more efficient.” The TSA manages and operates the program and is working with United and with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify possible participants. Eligible United MileagePlus members are being invited to participate in the initial phase. Non-members may qualify by becoming eligible members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler programs. For customers who choose to participate, the TSA will determine eligibility for expedited screening prior to each flight and will embed this information in the barcode of eligible customers’ boarding passes. TSA agents will scan the boarding pass and will direct eligible customers to the assigned pre-screening lane. The TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures, so no customers are guaranteed expedited screening. MileagePlus members participating in this program may be eligible for expedited security screening in Atlanta, Boston, Reagan Washington National, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, Ore. and Seattle, in addition to O’Hare. United customers can look forward to TSA PreCheck launching at additional airports throughout 2012. For more information on TSA PreCheck, visit http://www.tsa.gov or http://www.united.com/tsaprescreening .
