(NewsNation) — As 17 million people will travel through airports this Labor Day weekend, according to AAA, TSA Precheck has expanded its Touchless ID system to 15 airports and created new lanes for families and military members to speed up security lines.
The updated security protocols allow passengers who sign up for TSA Precheck to show only their face, not their identification cards, at check in by scanning their faces in front of a machine.
Major hubs like Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and all three New York City-area airports now have the system, which uses facial comparison technology, which is designed to be more secure using encrypted facial recognition software.
Travelers should upload their passport and known traveler number (KTN) to the app for the airline with which they’re flying. The digital boarding pass is then marked with a “touchless ID” badge. When a passenger arrives at the airport, a facial scan at the TSA pre-check lane confirms their identity. Travelers are still required to carry a real ID or valid passport.
TSA says images are deleted within 24 hours and not shared with law enforcement. Again, this is all in an effort to try to speed things up at that TSA line.
There are also now dedicated family lanes at several airports under the “Families on the Fly” program, giving parents with young kids some breathing room to pass through.
Security lines for veterans and active-duty military honor lanes are rolling out, too, along with free pre-check for Gold Star families and discounts for spouses.
In July, TSA announced travelers would no longer be required to remove their shoes during security screening.
The TSA Precheck Touchless ID website has a list of which airports the system is located.
