Letter to the Honorable Peter Neffenger, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration - On the Need to Make PreCheck More Accessible

Letter

Dear Administrator Neffenger:

One of the ways we can help reduce long lines at airports across the country, including the two international airports in Chicago--O'Hare and Midway International airports, is to encourage more people to sign up for PreCheck. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) has encouraged travelers to enroll in PreCheck, among taking other actions, to reduce congestion at airport security checkpoints and provide expedited screening without compromising the safety and security of passengers. I support this effort and I have also urged travelers to sign up for TSA PreCheck.

In order to ensure that the TSA can manage increased demand for PreCheck enrollment, I included an amendment in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill to provide more accessibility for PreCheck applicants. As a follow up to this amendment, I request that TSA work with its private contractors to ensure there are enough staff at PreCheck appointment locations, open additional PreCheck centers, if necessary, and encourage the busiest appointment locations to extend their hours to increase flexibility to accommodate families who wish to enroll during peak summer travel months.

There has been an enormous influx of TSA PreCheck applications and enrollments in recent weeks. Last week, TSA PreCheck enrollments reached a record number of 15,000 enrollments in one day. PreCheck applicants across the country have reported waiting weeks, or even months, to schedule an appointment.

In the Chicago metro area, there are currently no TSA PreCheck appointments available at any location in the Chicago metro area with a wait time less than 45 days or on weekends. Many hopeful applicants have reported waiting hours for a walk-in appointment only to be turned away at close of business. I am concerned that staffing, existing locations and hours, and flexibility for applicants has not kept pace with the significant increase in the popularity of the program.

With checkpoint volume expected to rise to above 2.3 million travelers by mid-July, it is essential to make it easier and faster for passengers to apply and enroll in TSA PreCheck to further prevent long delays at security checkpoints. I urge TSA to work with its contractors to ramp up staff at PreCheck appointment locations, increase the number of PreCheck locations during peak travel seasons, and provide additional flexibility for applicants by providing back-to-back appointments and extended hours to accommodate more working families.

I appreciate you visiting Chicago last week and meeting with me at O'Hare International Airport to discuss my concerns about long security lines at both Midway and O'Hare International airports. I look forward to continuing to work with you to help reduce security lines at U.S. airports and ensure the success of the TSA PreCheck Program.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,



Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

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