Passengers transiting through Louisville, Kentucky, this month will now have the option to enroll in the TSA PreCheck program without making a prior appointment.
The pilot program launches at Louisville’s Muhammed Ali International Airport (SDF) this week in conjunction with the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby. The initiative will be available from May 5 through May 16, and the enrollment will take only a matter of minutes.
About the TSA PreCheck program.
The program is open to US citizens and permanent residents. Frequent fliers enrolled in similar participating Trusted Traveler Programs such as Global Entry are also offered TSA PreCheck status. Previously, the process of registration entailed filling out the application online and an in-person interview to receive the PreCheck status.
Tom Bechtol, Acting TSA Federal Security Director for the State of Kentucky, commented on the expedited process:
“Travelers have told us they want a more accessible TSA PreCheck enrollment process, and we are working with our enrollment provider, IDEMIA to deliver."
“In March 2022, 94 percent of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes in line. By making TSA PreCheck enrollment more accessible, more people can take advantage of a smoother airport security screening process and can also keep their shoes and belts on and leave their compliant liquids and laptops in their bag.”
Louisville is the second airport to see the updated process following the pilot program which launched earlier this year at Jackson Medgar Evers Wiley International Airport (JAN) in Mississippi.
How it works
The expedited screening process arrives just in time for one of Louisville’s busiest travel periods of the year, the 148th annual Kentucky Derby. Passengers transiting thru the airport will find enrollment teams stationed throughout the airport with carts equipped to enroll passengers for TSA PreCheck.
Applicants must provide their name, date of birth, and passport number (or other proof of citizenship). The process of enrolling in TSA PreCheck takes five minutes or less, and most passengers will receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) within 3 to 5 days.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer expressed his enthusiasm for the new initiative:
“As the world’s eyes are on Louisville this week for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby, we’re happy that Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport can play an integral role in making air travel more secure and more efficient for travelers.”
Visitors to the state and residents have the option to apply online before departing to expedite the process even further. Upon arrival, online applicants will only need to provide fingerprints and have a digital photo taken to complete the process.
International expansion for TSA PreCheck
Last month, TSA announced it was expanding PreCheck to international locations for the first time. It launched the expedited screening program at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas.
IDEMIA is working on expanding this improved enrollment process to other US markets, including Gulfport, Mississippi, later this year. The security company has been working with the TSA to provide enrollment to the program since 2013 and will be doing permanent installations at Austin-Bergstrom International and Nashville International.
The Bourbon City airport also saw a recent expansion from Breeze Airways. Spirit also added a temporary bonus route to Newark which will operate this Thursday, May 5th, and Monday, May 8th, specifically for the Kentucky Derby.