TSA INFORMATION
TSA Precheck Now Available At BGM
Greater Binghamton Airport is happy to announce TSA Precheck is now available! BGM has been working with the Transportation Safety Administration for some time now to get this done and now it is available to all eligible travelers. TSA Precheck allows expedited screening when passing through a TSA checkpoints at participating airports. This means there is no need to remove shoes, belts, jackets, or even your laptop from your bag while going through the checkpoint.
What does this mean for BGM? Shorter wait times at our TSA checkpoint, and more time for you to relax before your flight and throughout your travel beyond BGM. TSA Precheck is a nation-wide program with hundreds of participating airports. BGM will continue to have one lane screening, but passengers with TSA Precheck will pass through much smoother.
Who does this help? Families traveling will have an easier time going through security. Children ages 12 and under can travel with their parent or guardian through the precheck lane. Business travelers benefit from this as well. It makes their trip less stressful allowing them more time for them to relax.
How does one apply for TSA Precheck? Go to www.TSA.gov/precheck and submit an online application. After that schedule a ten minute in-person appointment that includes a background check and fingerprinting at an enrollment center closest to you. Once approved, TSA Precheck will be applied to your boarding pass if it is with a participating airline. Currently 76 Airlines across the globe, including Delta, Untied, and American Airlines, are participating in TSA Precheck. For a map of airports and airlines participating go to www.tsa.gov/precheck/map and www.tsa.gov/precheck/participating-airlines.
Why does BGM need this? TSA Precheck will help BGM compete with other airports to make the traveler’s experience as smooth as possible. It also improves BGM’s image to prospective airlines as they seek the best customer experience for their passengers. BGM will always strive to make the customer’s experience the best it can be. TSA Precheck helps contribute to that aspiration.
Real ID Act
What are enhanced, Real and standard IDs?
There are currently three types of driver’s licenses, permits or non-driver IDs that New Yorkers can choose from.
Standard IDs can be used for identification purposes and to board domestic flights until October 1st, 2021. After that, an Enhanced ID or REAL ID will be required to get on a plane, unless you have a passport or any other accepted forms by TSA.
Enhanced IDs or REAL IDs can be used to board domestic flights, enter a federal building or military base, and for photo identification.
An Enhanced ID can be used to enter the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, or some Caribbean countries. You still need a passport to travel to those countries, though.
REAL IDs and Enhanced IDs are not mandatory, and they are not necessary to be licensed to drive or vote.
Click here to visit the frequently asked questions about REAL IDs