The Transportation Security Administration has announced the start of TSA Pre✓® operations at La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE) in Wisconsin.
TSA Pre✓® is an expedited screening program that allows select passengers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case and 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels in a carry-on bag. More than 330 application centers are located around the country.
To apply, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may enroll online at tsa.gov and visit an application center to provide biographic information (e.g. name, date of birth, address, etc.), fingerprints, payment, and valid identity and citizenship/immigration documentation.
Once approved, passengers will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) and have the opportunity to use TSA Pre✓® lanes at security checkpoints at participating airports and on 12 airlines, including: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, OneJet, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.
Members of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler program (Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI) already pre-qualify for TSA Pre✓® and can use their PASSID as their KTN.
Passengers are encouraged to save their KTN in each frequent flyer profile. Additionally, those who buy their tickets via a third-party website or travel agency should enter their KTN each time they make a reservation.
Information is imbedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass when he or she is eligible for TSA Pre✓®. TSA reads the barcode at the checkpoint and the passenger is referred to a TSA Pre✓® lane. Participating airlines also print a TSA Pre✓®indicator directly on the boarding pass so passengers will know in advance that they have been cleared for expedited screening.
La Crosse is now one of more than 150 airports in the country where passengers can experience expedited screening. Participating airlines at LSE are American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
According to LSE Airport Manager Clinton Torp:
“We value the amenities offered to frequent and business passengers and hope that this additional service offering makes flying from La Crosse that much more convenient and enjoyable.”
Mark Lendvay, TSA’s federal security director for Wisconsin:
“This is the 8th airport in Wisconsin to offer TSA Pre✓®. Enrolled passengers there will now be able to experience expedited screening during the busiest times of the day. Nationwide, some 5 million passengers per week get some form of expedited screening at airports every week.”
As always, TSA continues to incorporate random and unpredictable security measures both seen and unseen throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening.
N.B. Image credit: lseairport.com
Internet links
La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE)
Four trusted traveler programs that include TSA Pre✓® eligibility
