Air travel becomes easier for U.S. service members

by Airman 1st Class William Johnson
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

12/4/2013 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del -- The Transportation Safety Administration is making air travel easier for military members and their families with new updates to their security procedures.

The TSA program, called TSA Pre-Check, expedites screening procedures for active-duty, reserve and Coast Guard service members. Once verified as an active-duty service member, TSA Pre-Check participants will receive expedited security screening such as keeping on their shoes, belt, and light jacket, and being able to leave laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags.

Lisa Furbstein, TSA public affairs manager, said that the TSA Pre-Check program will expedite military members through screening to allow for safer and easier travel. There are more than 100 airports using TSA Pre-Check and the new procedures will go into effect Dec. 20, 2013.

"Members in the Pre-Check program have volunteered more personal information about themselves," said Furbstein. "This allows us at TSA to focus greater attention on people we know less about, therefore enhancing security."

U.S. service members can use their Department of Defense identification number, found on the back of their common access card, as the known traveler number when making reservations through the Defense Travel System, Commercial Travel Office/Travel Management Center or when booking leisure travel through airline or travel websites.

Once at the airport, military members should present a valid CAC ID card along with their boarding pass to the TSA travel document checker at the TSA Pre-Check lane. Military members do not need to be in uniform or on official travel to take advantage of the program. Family members under the age of 12 traveling with their dependent may also take advantage of the program. Presently, dependents over the age of 12 are not eligible for the program.