The TSA Does Something Nice for a Change!

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

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Here’s a nice change from our usual negative TSA stories: The TSA has begun letting injured military members go through expedited security screenings at airports.

The Wounded Warrior Screening Program will feature “curb to gate service”, and service members will be allowed to keep their shoes, hats, and light jackets on during screenings.

However, participation will require some advance planning—the TSA states that the Wounded Warriors should e-mail or call in their itinerary before traveling, and the program does not extend to travel companions of service members.

Non-injured active duty military can also enjoy some TSA benefits at select airports. These members can use the TSA PreCheck Lanes for screening at the following airports: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Denver International Airport (DEN), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

In PreCheck screenings, servicemen and women will be able to leave their shoes and belts on, and keep their laptops in their bags. No advance notice is required—simply show a valid Common Access Card (CAC) to the TSA agent in the PreCheck lane. (Read more about the process on the TSA’s website.)

Hopefully this won’t be the last time that we get to say, “Good job, TSA!”

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Photo: African American Military Man on Crutches via Shutterstock)

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