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Pre✓ – The Next Step In Our Risked-Based Approach To Further Enhance Airport Security

Posted by John. S. Pistole, TSA Administrator

Starting today at select checkpoints in four airports, TSA will begin testing “Pre✓,” another key component in our move toward a more risk-based, intelligence-driven approach to security. This limited pilot will help TSA evaluate measures designed to enhance security by placing more focus on pre-screening individuals prior to flying in order to expedite their travel experience.

Pre✓allows us to use volunteered information to make risk assessments before the passenger gets to the airport, and enables our officers to focus more attention on those passengers we know the least about. During this pilot, certain frequent fliers from Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, as well as certain members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS who are also flying on Delta or American are eligible. Currently, this is only open to American citizens.

For now, when eligible travelers opt in, Pre✓could qualify them for expedited checkpoint screening at select checkpoints at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Dallas Fort Worth International, and Miami International airports. As with any initiative, TSA is testing this pre-screening concept with a small passenger population at a few airports. Only those passengers who opt in will have the opportunity to participate at this time. If the pilot proves successful, we will explore expanding the program to additional travelers, airports and airlines so that more people can benefit.

For those who will participate in the initial pilot, it is important to note that nothing will ever guarantee that an eligible passenger receives expedited security screening. We have built random and unpredictable factors throughout the aviation security system to guard against terrorists gaming the system and this program is no exception.

We are able to test this concept now partly due to the success of our Secure Flight initiative, which brought watch list matching responsibilities into TSA. Pre✓ will join other elements of risk-based security currently under way including:

Testing expedited screening for known airline crew members
Testing the expanded use of behavior detection techniques
Nationwide changes to our physical security screening process for kids 12-and-under

All of these initiatives are designed to improve our security approach while enhancing the passenger’s security experience. We thank U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the airlines, and passengers for their partnership as we work to provide the most effective transportation security in the most efficient way.

If you’re an eligible Global Entry member or frequent flier, we look forward to your feedback after you fly through one of the four participating airports.

For more information on our move toward implementing a more risk-based, intelligence-driven transportation security model, you can read the following blog posts:

3/18/2011 Who Are You? TSA Exploring Identity Based Screening and Known Travelers

7/15/2011 Passenger Screening Pilot

9/14/2011 Risk Based Security For Passengers 12 and Under

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.