Get through security faster

Airport security is a necessary part of all air travel. With increased restrictions and seemingly ever-changing regulations it’s no surprise that the queues keep getting longer. But so too do the queues get longer, or there are various ways in which airports, airlines, government, and private corporations are trying to give the travelling public ways to bypass the line.
For many parties involved, getting passengers through security as quickly as possible makes sense. For the airlines it makes sense because shorter check-in times mean more incentive for people to travel, as well as less chance that a person would miss a flight which can cause delays. Airports, however, also benefit from shorter security queues. Fewer frustrated passengers can lead to more return visits; but ultimately a large portion of an airport’s revenue comes from sales in the terminal. Less time at security equals more time to shop.
So how are the players reacting to this? In the US since 9/11 security has been part of a mandate from the Department of Homeland Security. They, through the Transportation Security Administration determine who gets through and how they are screened. Airports and Airlines do not have much say over this, but they can influence the order in which people get to the front of the queue. Mostly this means priority access for those passengers in premium cabins, but there are options for other travellers too. The TSA has launched PreCheck for low-risk travellers, giving them access to a separate security screening lane at many airports. There are various eligibility criteria and it can be as simple as applying. Benefits of PreCheck include not having to take out laptops and getting to keep shoes on.
Another option that’s coming up more and more in the US is CLEAR. This service is based on an annual subscription whereby participants are escorted to the front of the line at security at participating airports, bypassing even the priority queues. Unlike PreCheck, this does not qualify you for any different security screening; it just gets you through quicker.