TSA Makes Major Change to Airport Screenings – But Not In Louisiana or Texas

(KMDL-FM) People in Louisiana and Texas love to travel. Granted, even though we get a lot of travelers who want to come see us every year, that doesn't mean we don't have the desire to spread our own wings and move about the country.

It doesn't matter whether we're flying from Bush Intercontinental in Houston, DFW in Dallas/Fort Worth, or Louis Armstrong International in New Orleans; we all have places to go and things to see.

TSA Announces New Plans to Speed Up Security Checks - Just Not Here

One of the biggest hindrances to flying in the United States is the security process and procedure you have to negotiate when attempting to board an airplane. But you'll be pleased to learn that TSA, the Transportation Security Administration, has quietly been making changes to ease that process.

A lot of those plans to get through security happen at home while you're deciding what to pack or not pack. And if you happen to be traveling with your kids, there is the added issue of what to pack for them or what they innocently throw into a carry-on bag that will get you questioned at the gate.

And this is where a new TSA Screening initiative could be a real help. The only problem is that the TSA "Families on the Fly" program is not available at any Louisiana or Texas Airport, yet. 

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The program sounds like a Godsend to parents traveling with small children. It also seems like a good idea for someone like me who no longer has small children and doesn't care to deal with their cuteness while negotiating the TSA gauntlet.

Where is New "Families on the Fly" TSA Screening Available?

In Families on the Fly, a special security lane is set aside just for families who are traveling with younger kids. The program was beta tested in North Carolina and Florida, and will now be expanded to Orange County in California and the big airport at Honolulu in Hawaii.

In addition to the special lanes for those traveling as a family, TSA is also offering discounted TSA PreCheck fees for family members. According to reports, you could save $15 off the $100 registration. The rules and amounts do change depending on how old your children happen to be. 

On a personal note, if you fly more than twice a year, TSA PreCheck is a great thing to have. If you fly internationally at least every other year, then I would also suggest Global Entry be added to your arsenal of "get through security quickly" cards. Both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are well worth the money if you ask me.