Gateway Travel Management

Feb 22, 2002 - TSA and Preferred Check-In Lines Update

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announcement that they intended to eliminate preferred check in lines for major U.S. carriers put the airline industry on instant defense, in part because the TSA would tell them how to treat the people they consider to be their best customers. Because there was such reaction from the airlines and consumers alike, the Air Transport Association officials believe they have worked out an acceptable compromise.

The new compromise will work as follows: Airlines are in charge of the lines leading up to security, and the TSA is in charge of the security checkpoints. The federal government took over security screening Feb. 17, but airlines remain responsible for validating that customers have the proper documentation to go through the security checkpoint. The ATA said the understanding means airlines still can offer separate lines leading up to the check in point, separate security lanes, however, will no longer exist. This issue is continuing to evolve, GTM will provide up to date clarification as information is announced.