I can't count how many times I've thought: “Everything would be way better if families with children had their own security line at the airport.” Well, I must not have been alone.
Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new program that will offer families a dedicated lane at select airports – and, eventually, even offer discounted TSA PreCheck fees for families. Announced last Friday, the new “Families on the Fly” offering is already available in Orlando (MCO) and Charlotte (CLT).
Santa Ana (SNA) and Honolulu (HNL) are tabbed as the next in line to get the dedicated family lanes. After that, Charleston (CHS), Jacksonville (JAX), Providence (PVD), San Juan (SJU), and Tampa (TPA) will be added, DHS said.
It's unclear how many U.S. airports will eventually get this option. The agency says it will expand to “select airports.”
DHS also said dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for U.S. service members and their families will also be rolled out as part of their “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” program. The expedited security lanes will debut at airports near larger military installations.
Details about other family-friendly TSA measures were not revealed in Friday's release, including the new prices for families getting TSA PreCheck. PreCheck currently costs $78 for a five-year membership. Minors 17 and under can already accompany a parent or guardian with PreCheck after a change last year extended that policy to teens as well as younger children.
The TSA has been busy lately, ending its shoes-off screening policy for all passengers earlier in July and hinting at changing its policy around carry-on liquids, too.
Bottom Line
Traveling families going through Orlando (MCO) or Charlotte (CLT) can now use a dedicated family security screening lane, with several other airports expected to add the family-only TSA lines in the coming months.
In conjunction with the new lane announcement, the TSA also said it will lower the cost of TSA PreCheck for families and give active duty military members their own TSA screening lines at airports near military bases.
