Members of the U.S. Armed Forces are entrusted to protect the security and values of citizens with their lives and as such TSA recognizes that these members pose very little risk to aviation security. As part of our intelligence-driven, risk-based approach to security TSA now offers TSA Pre✓™ expedited screening benefits to active duty service members at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Denver International Airport (DEN), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Eligible service members include U.S. Armed Forces service members including reservist and National Guard members, who possess a valid Common Access Card (CAC).
Active duty service members should present their valid CAC card to the TSA Travel Document Checker, along with their boarding pass, in the TSA Pre✓™ lane. The TSA Travel Document Checker will scan the CAC card 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 Department of Defense (DoD) they will then receive expedited screening benefits such as no longer removing the following items:
- Shoes
- 3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on
- Laptop from bag
- Light outerwear/jacket
- Belt
Service members should use the following checkpoints to see if they qualify for TSA Pre✓™ expedited screening:
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): Main Terminal, Checkpoint B
- Denver International Airport (DEN): South Checkpoint
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): Main Checkpoint
- Honolulu International Airport (HNL): Main Terminal, Checkpoint 3
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): North Pier Gates 35-45, South Pier Gates 10-22
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Checkpoint 3
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD): Main Terminal, TSA Pre ✓™ Checkpoint
Eligible service members do not need to be in uniform to take advantage of TSA Pre✓™ benefits and family members ages 12 and under can process through expedited screening as well, as they already receive modified screening procedures at airports nationwide.
By expanding TSA Pre✓™ to active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, TSA is able to focus its resources and improve the passenger experience at security checkpoints. While nothing would ever guarantee expedited screening – TSA must retain a certain element of randomness to prevent terrorists from gaming the system – the testing of this concept holds the potential to significantly change the travel experience for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How does it work?
A. As part of TSA Pre✓™, U.S. service members possessing a valid Common Access Card (CAC) should present their card to a TSA Travel Document Checker to determine whether they are eligible for expedited screening benefits. TSA officers will scan the CAC card to verify the traveler’s status as an active U.S. service member. Once verified, the traveler may be directed to a lane to receive TSA Pre✓™ expedited screening. TSA’s random and unpredictable measures will still be applied as part of the agency’s layered approach so that the system cannot be “gamed.”
Service members should use the following checkpoints to see if they qualify for TSA Pre✓™ expedited screening:
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): Main Terminal, Checkpoint B
- Denver International Airport (DEN): South Checkpoint
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): Main Checkpoint
- Honolulu International Airport (HNL): Main Terminal, Checkpoint 3
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): North Pier Gates 35-45, South Pier Gates 10-22
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Checkpoint 3
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD): Main Terminal, TSA Pre ✓™ Checkpoint
U.S. service members receive the same expedited screening benefits as other TSA Pre✓™ participants, which could include no longer removing the following items:
- Shoes
- 3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on
- Laptop from bag
- Light outerwear/jacket
- Belt
Q. Are all members of the military eligible to participate?
A. At this time, active duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, as well as active drilling members of the National Guard and Reserve, who are issued CAC cards, are eligible to participate in TSA Pre✓™.
Q. Does the service member need to be in uniform or on official travel to participate?
A. No. Service members do not need to be in uniform to take advantage of expedited screening benefits. They just need to present their valid CAC card to a TSA Travel Document Checker at the designated checkpoint.
Q. How will TSA determine who is in good standing? Is that something that is imbedded in the information on the CAC card?
A. Through an agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD), a TSA Travel Document Checker will scan the service member’s CAC card, providing real-time verification that the service member is in good standing with DoD.
Q. Is the traveler’s information retained or stored when their CAC card is scanned?
A. There is no storage capability on the equipment used to verify the service member’s status. Once the CAC card is scanned and TSA determines whether the traveler is eligible for expedited screening, their personal information is automatically erased.
Q. Are civilian Department of Defense employees who have CAC cards eligible to participate in TSA Pre✓™?
A. At this time, only U.S. Armed Forces service members who possess a valid CAC card are eligible to participate in TSA Pre✓™.
Q. Is TSA considering expanding these benefits to military dependents, retirees and contractors?
A. TSA will continue to explore the expansion of TSA Pre✓™ to groups that can benefit from expedited screening at security checkpoints while ensuring that overall transportation security is not compromised.
Q. When will TSA Pre✓™ be available to other U.S. service members? Does TSA anticipate a nationwide rollout of this program?
A. TSA hopes to expand TSA Pre✓™ acceptance of service members to additional airports once operationally ready.