By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Central Illinois Regional Airport is taking part in the TSA Pre✓® Program, which allows expedited screenings to its members, among other benefits.

Members of the program can now keep their outerwear, shoes, and belts on while going through security checkpoints. It also allows members to keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 complaint liquids/gels bag in a carry-on. TSA spokesperson Michael McCarthy explained the enrollment process takes about ten minutes of the passenger providing basic security information.

“Passengers apply, they go through a background check with TSA – that involves coming into an enrollment center, providing your fingerprints and a little biographical information, we run a quick background check – and then those passengers are eligible for expedited screening, which we refer to as TSA Precheck,” McCarthy said.

TSA Pre lanes are currently at more than 180 airports and on 37 airlines including: Allegiant, American Airlines, and Delta. McCarthy said the program could be useful to people who are frequent fliers.

“It costs $85 and that’s good for five years, so that’s about $18 a year,” McCarthy explained. “So if you’re someone who travels somewhat frequently, or even if you travel one or two times a year, that might be worth it to you.”

After being approved, members receive their Known Travel Number and can utilize TSA Pre✓® lanes for flying both domestically and outbound internationally. More information on the program and how to register can be found at TSA.gov.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].