3/28/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Transportation Security Administration now offers expedited airport screening to severely injured members of the armed forces.
In addition to offering curb-to-gate service, TSA now allows wounded warriors to move through security checkpoints without having to remove shoes, light outerwear jackets or hats, officials said.
"In recognition of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, we have revised our screening requirements to allow expedited screening for this trusted group of citizens," said John Halinski, TSA's deputy administrator and 25-year Marine Corps veteran.
To be eligible for this service, a wounded warrior or traveling companion should email the Military Severely Injured Joint Services Operations Center, MSIJSOC@dhs.gov, or call 1-888-262-2396 with itinerary information for the traveling party. Traveling companions will receive standard screening.
TSA also provides expedited screening for service members. At airport checkpoints nationwide, military personnel in uniform with proper identification, whether traveling on official orders or not, are not required to remove their shoes or boots unless they set off alarms.
In addition, TSA offers expedited screening for service members, including reservists and National Guard members, at the following airports:
-- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall;
-- Charlotte Douglas International;
-- Denver International;
-- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International;
-- Honolulu International;
-- Lambert-St. Louis International;
-- Ronald Reagan Washington National;
-- Seattle-Tacoma International; and
-- Washington Dulles International.
Wounded Warriors also may enroll in "TSA Pre-check," which allows eligible passengers to volunteer information about themselves to expedite their screening experience.
Eligible passengers include U.S. citizens who opt in through a participating airline or enroll in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler program, including Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS.
(TSA release through the American Forces Press Service)
Comments
3/29/2013 7:08:43 PM ET It should be known the TSA was ordered by the President of the United States on January 5 2011 Public Law 112-86 otherwise known as the Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act to develop and implement a plan to provide expedited security screening services for a member of the armed forces within 180 days of the President signing the law into effect at all airports not just a select few. The problem is the TSA has yet to abide by this law and continues to violate our service members in terms of improper searches and pat-downs despite knowing the law that is in effect. The fact that the TSA was caught on film unnecessarily patting-down a wounded warrior in his wheelchair is the only reason they recently changed their policy regarding military members. And for the record anyone is free to opt-out of the body scanners at any given time. In doing so TSA must allow you to proceed through the metal detector first before patting you down.
