Washington, D.C. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced the implementation of the passenger pre-screening initiative, TSA Pre✓™, at its sixth pilot location – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Certain American Airlines frequent flyers flying out of LAX are now eligible to participate and may receive expedited screening benefits when traveling domestically.

The TSA Pre✓™ screening concept enhances aviation security by enabling TSA to focus on passengers the agency knows less about and those who are considered high-risk, while providing expedited screening for travelers who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying. To date, approximately 250,000 passengers have been screened through TSA Pre✓™ at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Las Vegas’ McCarran International and Miami International airports.

“The expansion of this pilot program continues to move TSA towards a more effective and efficient security system,” said Assistant Administrator Chris McLaughlin. “This program enables us to focus our resources on those passengers who could pose the greatest risk – including those on government watch lists – while providing expedited screening, and perhaps a better travel experience, to those we know the most about.”

Eligible passengers include those flying on participating airlines as well as members of Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS, who are U.S. citizens. TSA will continue expanding TSA Pre✓™ to additional airlines and airports once they are operationally ready.

If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening through the TSA Pre✓™ vetting process, information will be embedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass. TSA will read the barcode at the checkpoint and the passenger may be referred to a lane where they will undergo expedited screening, which could include no longer removing the following items:

• Shoes
• 3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on
• Laptop from bag
• Light outerwear/jacket
• Belt

TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening. TSA’s multi-layered approach to security also includes behavior detection officers, explosives-detection systems, canine teams, and federal air marshals, among other measures both seen and unseen.

For more information about TSA’s risk-based security initiatives, visit www.tsa.gov.

For additional information, please contact: TSA Public Affairs Phone: 571-227-2829