Holiday Surprise! TSA to Expedite All Troops Through Airport Security, Shoes On

All U.S. troops heading home for the holidays will be granted “expedited screening” at airport security lines starting Friday – with their shoes still on – Pentagon and Transportation Security Administration officials announced, in a major expansion of the military benefit.

Troops now will be allowed through security checkpoints while keeping their jackets on, and without having to remove laptops, iPads or hair gel from their backpacks.

At more than 100 airports, starting Friday, troops traveling on nine major airlines will receive the preferential treatment as long as they have entered their DOD identification number on their reservation. Previously, troops could use the TSA Precheck lanes at 10 airports. The benefit is extended to personnel of the National Guard, reserves and U.S. Coast Guard, according to a Defense Department statement.

“If a service member has entered their DOD identification number correctly in a flight reservation, they will be permitted access to TSA Precheck lanes,” according to the Pentagon statement. “The expedited screening will allow service members to keep their footwear on as well as light outerwear, laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry on in select screening lanes.”

For more information, visit personnel are asked to visit the Defense Travel Management Office, here.