KNOXVILLE, Tenn — We've all been there, stuck in a long airport security line nervous you won't make your flight!
The McGhee Tyson Airport wants travelers to avoid this stressful experience and long lines by enrolling in TSA PreCheck.
The TSA PreCheck program allows travelers to go through an expedited screening process to minimize their time standing in line.
Starting Monday, the airport plans to hold a pop-up enrollment event to allow more passengers to take advantage of the service.
One of the most attractive parts about the program is passengers can keep their shoes on and don't have to unpack half their bag.
"It's going to better serve the passengers because you get to leave lighter outer jackets on, leave your shoes on, belts," Eddie McGhaha, Assistant Federal Security Director explained. "If you're involved in the program, you leave liquid and laptops in your bag. Expedited measures that will save you time going through the check point."
TSA PreCheck costs $85 and lasts for five years. Broken down, the cost is about $17 per year. The process usually takes about four to six to verify.
Some credit card companies and reward points like Chase Sapphire Reserve will cover your fee or a portion of it.
Data showed that in August 2019, 93% of TSA Precheck passengers waited less than 5 min.
McGhee Tyson's pop-up event runs from September 23 to October 2. People need to make an appointment ahead of time by going here. Appointments are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. At the appointment, customers will go through a background screening and fingerprint process.
October marks the start of peak travel season for the airport, and it expects to see longer lines at both the airline ticket counters and at the security checkpoint.
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The airport asks passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time.