Transportation Security Administration agents are now offering expedited screening for some passengers at San Diego’s airport.
Eligible passengers can leave on shoes as well as some coats and belts when going through security before a flight. They can also keep laptops and small liquids in carry-on bags.
In order to be part of the program, passengers must pre-enroll before flying.
TSA spokesperson Nico Melendez said the agency is no longer utilizing a one-size-fits-all process.
“It’s about security. It’s about focusing our efforts, becoming more efficient and more effective,” Melendez said.
San Diego is one of 97 airports participating in the TSA PreCheck program.
Rich Peckham flies every week for business and said he has had success with the program.
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“I would say it’s maybe a 5 minute savings every week, maybe 10, it’s hard to say,” Peckham said.
If you’re not a frequent flyer, you can still be a part of the expedited screening. You can pay to enroll with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS programs and then note your ID number when you book your flight.
Agents say passengers 75 and older as well as children 12 can go through the expedited screening.
Not all airlines are participating in the program and passengers who volunteer for pre-screening will be checked every time they fly.
The new pre-check screening is available at Lindbergh Field's Terminal 1 for Alaska Airlines and Terminal 2 for Hawaiian, American, Delta, United, Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and US Airways passengers.
Whether or not it will save you time depends on when you travel.
Currently, the wait at the pre-check screening checkpoints can be less than a minute at peak travel hours. Melendez said the more people get enrolled in the program, passengers could see longer wait times.
