BURSTHomeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday announced an expanded security checkpoint lane for families traveling with children.
“They’ll be expanded areas that will give them the benefit of recognizing that they have children with them, and will help make sure that we have the ability to take care of them and their families as they go through this expedited process with their kiddos,” Noem said at a press conference in Nashville.
The “Families on the Fly” program will also provide parents with a $15 discount on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck enrollment, Noem said.
A pilot program is currently underway in Orlando. Noem said she chose the site because of its proximity to Disney World.
On Thursday, Noem also celebrated the Honor Lane opening, a measure adopted by 11 airports to create a special TSA security lane allotted for military members and their families as “tokens of gratitude.”
Servicemembers are also provided additional benefits under Noem’s “Serve With Honor, Travel With Ease” initiative.
TSA will also begin offering Gold Star families, a term for those who have lost an immediate family member in the service, cost-free access to the TSA PreCheck program.
The spouses of servicemembers are also eligible for a $25 discount on their application, according to CNN.
The security changes come days after Noem said travelers would be allowed to keep on their shoes when undergoing screening at the airport.
In recent days, Noem also signaled she may soon alter liquid weight restrictions for passengers on planes.