TSA offers quick security checks for some at O'Hare

Ahh, the simple dignity of keeping your shoes on your feet.

Travelers using American Airlines at O'Hare International Airport now can walk fully shod through security screening if they qualify for a new program unveiled Tuesday in Chicago.

TSA Prea allows passengers approved by the government to avoid removing belts, shoes and light jackets as they pass through metal detectors in most cases. Laptops should be able to remain in bags and liquids and gels 3 ounces and less, such as shampoo, should be able to stay in carry-on luggage.

In a separate initiative, the government is also easing certain requirements, such as taking off shoes, for people age 75 and older, The Prea is “very, very simple,” business traveler Richard Czerniawski of Kenilworth said as he whisked through screening, belt on. “I'll be 65 next month. How much time do I want to waste standing in line?”

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is rolling out the program gradually. O'Hare and Washington Dulles International Airport make it 10 major airports to offer the program as of this week.

For now, the Prea feature is only available in O'Hare's Terminal 3 at Security Checkpoint 8. Those who can participate include American Airlines frequent fliers and people enrolled in or who qualify for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler initiatives like Global Entry or NEXUS. The fee is $100 for five years.

Dallas businessman David Teitelbaum was joyful. “I don't have to take my shoes off, I don't have to take my laptop out,” he enthused.

“It should make life a little easier for those who travel most often,” Chicago Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino said. Screening for a possible threat can be like looking for a needle in a haystack, Andolino said, adding “we're reducing the size of that haystack.”

Other airlines are working on offering the program to their frequent fliers, officials said.

If passengers are eligible, that information will be embedded in the bar codes on boarding passes.

The TSA this week also started a pilot program for people age 75 and older that modifies the security process slightly by allowing seniors to leave shoes and light jackets on. But the pilot is only operating at Terminal 1, Checkpoint 3.

“For that demographic — it's a big deal not to have to bend down and tie and untie,” TSA Assistant Administrator Chris McLaughlin said.

He added, “the goal is to expand that.

However, with “every change we put in place we do a thorough risk assessment,” McLaughlin said. “We're not in the business of eliminating risk.”

Those 75 and older will continue to go through the checkpoint, their belongings will still go through the X-Ray and they will still have some physical screening. There are multiple, other layers of security in place to ensure we're effectively securing aviation.”

To apply for the program, visit globalentry.gov.