Over the past few years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been undergoing a bit of a transformation to make airport security better and more efficient as the agency modernizes and deploys new technology. Now, the agency is moving forward with two high-profile changes to some longstanding policies.
One of these changes is already being deployed at 13 airports throughout the country, while the other is still in the beginning stages of deployment and could be rolled out over the next few months. Both changes, however, will make things a bit easier for TSA PreCheck travelers.
Gateside by TSA PreCheck
Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, gate access has been severely limited at the airport, as a boarding pass is generally required to get through airport security. Under a new TSA initiative, however, that’s changing.
This month, the TSA began rolling out a new program called Gateside by TSA PreCheck that allows TSA PreCheck members without an airline ticket to pass through airport security and visit airport gates.
“The bottom line is we’re trying to make the travel experience for people all across the country a lot smoother, a lot friendlier,” Dan Velez, a TSA representative, told 2KUTV.
The change is designed to allow TSA PreCheck members to accompany family or friends to their gates, meet arriving passengers at the gate, or simply shop or eat at restaurants that are on the other side of the gate.
“If you would like to go to the airport, you don’t have to be accompanying anyone,” Velez said. “You can just go there and hang out if you like.”
So far, the initiative is available at 13 different airports throughout the country, but is expected to roll out at others in the future.
Water Through Airport Security?
In another change on the horizon for TSA PreCheck members, the agency is considering allowing members to bring full water bottles through airport security checkpoints at select airports throughout the country, senior TSA officials told CBS News last week.
While it’s not clear which airports would be included in this new program or when such a program would begin, CBS News reports that the change would be rolled out to airports that are equipped with the new CT screening technology and automated detection capabilities that can distinguish water from other liquids.
This would be a significant change for the TSA, as liquid containers have been limited in size for about two decades after authorities in the United Kingdom uncovered and foiled a plot to detonate liquid explosives on board aircraft travelling from London to various U.S. and Canadian cities back in 2006.
It’s worth noting that despite this proposal, CBS News reports that the TSA is not currently prepared to end all restrictions on liquids. Currently, carry-on liquids must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less as a result of the restrictions. That’s not expected to end anytime soon, even once the TSA begins allowing water.
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