McCarran International is among 100 airports that will soon start allowing military troops to pass through expedited security lines for trusted travelers, who don’t have to do things such as remove their shoes.
Currently, members of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard are allowed to use designated Transportation Security Administration pre-check lines at 10 airports.
The program will be expanded to other airports on Dec. 20.
At the Las Vegas airport, Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, United, US Airways and Virgin America participate in the program. McCarran’s busiest carrier, Southwest Airlines, is considering participation.
The TSA Pre-Check Program is designed to expedite the security process. Participants can go through the security checkpoint without having to remove shoes, jackets, belts, laptop computers from bags and plastic bags holding liquids and gels.
Fliers have information in the barcode on their boarding passes that determine whether they can go through the faster lane.
Members of the active-duty military, Reserves and National Guard can enter their Department of Defense ID number when buying a ticket to be cleared through pre-check lanes.
Military members don’t have to be in uniform to participate, and children 12 and under can accompany an eligible passenger through the expedited security lines. Spouses, however, must enroll in a trusted-traveler program to take advantage.
Pre-check lanes are located at the main D gate access and at Terminal 3.
The TSA inaugurated the program at McCarran two years ago with two airlines, expanded it by two more in early 2012, then added three more when Terminal 3 opened in mid-2012.