ATLANTA — With the holidays quickly approaching, long lines and long waits are expected at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. However, travelers have options to speed up their experience, but they have to pay for some of them.
It is a familiar sight when lines at Hartsfield-Jackson's main TSA Security Checkpoint stretch all the way back into the Atrium. And if travelers only have a boarding pass and personal ID, they could be in that line for a long wait.
Here are some ways to make the journey faster.
Have TSA PreCheck
Robert Spinden, TSA's public service director, explained the perks of having PreCheck.
“When you go through screening, light jackets can stay on, shoes can stay on, and electronics can stay in your bags," Spinden said.
The TSA PreCheck line is shorter and the process at the TSA checkpoint goes faster. It costs between $77 and $85 to sign up, but its good for five years.
“There is an in-person process to enroll in TSA PreCheck, and it takes about 15 minutes or less to do it, and it's very easy online and schedule an appointment,” Spinden added.
And with TSA PreCheck, travelers who head to the South Security Area will see something new to speed your trip. There are electronic signs to tell passengers just how long it is going to take to get into the security area.
CLEAR Plus is another way to avoid long lines
And an option on the South side to get travelers to their gates faster is CLEAR Plus. It uses biometric technology to verify a passenger's identity rather than waiting in line for TSA to check a boarding pass and ID.
The cost starts at around $200 a year, but many people may be eligible for discounts.
“We are also offering the PreCheck enrollment as well as enrollment through CLEAR, so you don’t need a pre-established appointment,” said Wayne Jordan, CLEAR’s general manager.
Explore Delta Digital check-in
Also at the South Security checkpoint is Delta Digital Entry.
It is being shared with United Airlines. It is free, and it is quick.
Greg Forbes is Delta’s managing director of airport experiences and heads up the airline’s digital effort, which is now at key airports across the country.
Forbes said to take part in Digital, there are some requirements.
“If you are a SkyMiles member, you've got the app, you are a PreCheck member, and you've got your passport saved to your SkyMiles profile, all you have to do is go to your profile and click, 'yes,' and you are in," he said.
“It’s that simple,” he added.
As always, travelers should be sure to add extra time to their airport arrival for possible security delays.
Here are links for more information: