More passengers at George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU) airports are breezing through Transportation Security Administration security checkpoints due to the recent expansion of TSA Pre✓™.

 “TSA Pre✓™ is enabling us to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to transportation security,” said TSA Federal Security Director Gerry Phelan, George Bush Intercontinental Airport. “Expanding TSA Pre✓™ gives us the opportunity to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way possible.”

IAH was one of the first airports in the nation to offer TSA Pre✓™, which began offering the service to passengers in July 2012. The program quickly expanded from only one terminal facility at IAH to all five terminals.  The program also recently opened at the security checkpoint found at Hobby Airport.

Since its launch at Hobby Airport in November, more than 2,700 passengers per day received some form of expedited screening, including the use of dedicated TSA Pre✓™ lanes. At Bush Airport, more than 9,200 passengers received expedited security screening; the number of users at Bush Airport has increased more than 20 percent from November 2012 to November 2013.

“We have received great feedback from passengers since the November launch, and we are very optimistic that even more customers will be utilizing the program in the future," said William P. Hobby Airport General Manager Perry Miller. 

Passengers in TSA Pre✓™ lanes generally move quicker compared to standard lanes, as those passengers leave their shoes, light outerwear, and belt on while keeping their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag.

Last month, the TSA began opening application sites to allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents the option to directly enroll in TSA Pre✓™. To date, passengers have only been eligible through existing programs such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program and frequent flier programs with certain airlines, but this application process will allow travelers to apply directly for the expedited screening program. TSA representatives ultimately plan to expand to more than 300 application centers across the country in 2014. The Houston Airport System will immediately make an announcement once a date is confirmed for Houston.

For more information on TSA Pre✓™, please visit tsa.gov.