TSA Simplifies PreCheck Access for More Families

Just in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend, when daily air travel in the U.S. is projected to peak at 2.6 million passengers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that more families can now navigate airport security smoothly.

This week, the agency revealed that teenagers aged 13 to 17 can now join their TSA PreCheck–registered parents or guardians at security when flying on the same itinerary. Previously, only children aged 12 and under enjoyed these TSA PreCheck benefits (and they still do).

“This change clearly benefits families traveling with teens, but it also aids the transportation security officers at the checkpoints. With more low-risk travelers in TSA PreCheck lanes, officers can dedicate more focus to higher-risk passengers in the regular screening areas,” a TSA spokesperson shared with Dinogo.

TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program aimed at helping travelers bypass long security lines as efficiently as possible—participants can keep their shoes and light jackets on, leave electronics and properly sized liquids in their bags, and access a dedicated line. The program initially costs $78 (though many travel credit cards will reimburse the fee) for a five-year membership, with $70 required for renewals.

The TSA states that if an adult on the reservation books their ticket with their TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number, the system will automatically identify the children included in the booking, and a TSA PreCheck indicator will be printed on their boarding passes. If this doesn’t happen, travelers should seek help from an airline agent.

These updates come as the TSA continues to enhance its security checkpoints. The agency has recently introduced new Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) scanners that enable agents to screen passengers without needing to scan or examine their boarding passes. Travelers at select airports in Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, and Georgia can now also upload their ID to their Apple Wallet for TSA processing. More airports will soon offer Wallet ID features, including Connecticut, Hawai‘i, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Utah.