Travelers at the Indianapolis International Airport can opt into a new program starting Wednesday to bypass some of the hassles involved with airport security.
Those who opt into the Transportation Security Administration’s pre-check programmust undergo a background check. Once in the program, travelers can leave their shoes, belts, and jackets on, and don’t have to pull out laptops and liquids from their bags while going through airport security.
Michael Medvescek is the senior director of airport operations in Indianapolis and says the new process will make flying more attractive.
“People are really apprehensive about going through security, a lot of people don’t like the process of going through security, the body scanners and all that. We think that this will actually bring people back to want to fly and to enjoy flying.”
David Kane is the federal security director for the TSA in Indiana. He says the key to maintaining the security airport travelers are used to is in the background checks.
“By us being able to establish through those background checks that the passenger presents a relatively low risk, what we’re able to do then is to offer them expedited screening at the airport on the day of their travel.”
The pre-check application center in Indianapolis is the first in the country and costs 85 dollars to be in the program. The TSA plans to open other application centers by the end of the year in Washington D.C., New York and Los Angeles before expanding nationwide.
Claire McInerny reports for IPBS affiliate WFIU