Airport security queue reservations considered in the US

Airline ticket, car rental and hotel reservations are the staples of the tourism industry and an increasing number of travelers have become accustomed to making their own bookings with the increased prominence of high-speed internet in a majority of households. Now it appears as though people traveling through American airports may also be able to reserve their spot at the security screening gates, allowing them to avoid lengthy line-ups. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may soon end up offering flyers the option of booking ahead of time a time slot when they would be expected to appear at the security gate for screening, allowing them to bypass the queue. For the initial trial period, TSA will probably only permit passengers to make these reservations at off-peak times. Those who are most likely to use this service are businesspeople who are short on time and travel frequently.

The logic behind TSA’s proposed booking system is that it would encourage travelers to go through security at off-peak times, thus potentially cutting down wait times and queues during the main business hours of the day, while offering travelers more efficient service. Under the new system, more people would pass through security during the late morning and early afternoon, easing the early morning and evening rush hours.

If TSA does go ahead with its reservation system, travelers will almost certainly be required to pay an additional fee. It may also be possible to purchase a yearly pass that would allow an unlimited number of reservations. The latter option could be an ideal solution for businesspeople. Passengers who reserve a screening slot would still have to present themselves at the designated security gate about 20 minutes prior to the arranged time, in order to ensure the timely and smooth running of the system.