TSA to expedite airport security screening for $100 fee By Eric W. Dolan Thursday, March 15, 2012 20:18 EDT Print 55 TSA agent via MSNBC screenshot Topics: Customs and Border Protection Trusted Travelers ♦ transportation security administration ♦ TSA
Those who wish to avoid body scanners and pat-downs at airports can pay $100 to opt into a Transportation Security Administration expedited security screening program.
“It’s pay to play,” aviation analyst Michael Boyd said on MSNBC. “I don’t know how much it is going to do for security, but is a one time fee as far as I know.”
Currently, only selected frequent flyers and Customs and Border Protection Trusted Travelers are eligible to participate in the TSA’s PreCheck program.
Those who are accepted can keep their shoes, belts and jackets on as they walk through a metal detector. They are also allowed to keep laptops and liquids in carry-on bags.
Nearly 100,000 American Airlines passengers have already signed up.
The TSA has faced a slew of criticism for its airport screening methods, which critics say are far too invasive and sometimes result in abuses.
Watch video, courtesy of MSNBC, below: