Will Government Make Travel Easier for Parents with Small Children?

Wise parents provide more opportunities and experiences to their children and fewer toys and other objects. One way to provide such occasions for knowledge is to travel, whether it be domestic or foreign travel or by car or airplane. Travel can provide knowledge that is difficult to teach in any other way. Knowledge strengthens families, and strong families strengthen communities, states, and nations.

There are advantages to traveling by car or recreational vehicle and other advantages that come from traveling by air. However, wrangling children through airports and security lines is usually difficult. Therefore, it is good news that the Transportation Security Administration has a plan to make the experience a little more bearable for parents and children as reported by Emma Neff at The Deseret News. 

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently announced a campaign titled “Families on the Fly” She said, “This means that when families come into our airports and enter our TSA security checkpoints, they will have dedicated lanes specific for families.”

Noem continued: “they’ll be expanded areas that will give them the benefit of recognizing that they have children with them, and will help make sure that we have the ability to take care of them and their families as they go through this expedited process with their kiddos.”

This initiative is “designed to enhance hospitality for families during the airport security screening experience,” per TSA.

The announcement included benefits for families, including dedicated family lanes, discounted TSA PreCheck fees for families and dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for service members and their families.

The “Families on the Fly” program was piloted in Orlando given its close location to Disney World, Noem announced, and the program will continue to be rolled out in areas where families often travel with small children.

Current airports participating in this initiative include Orlando International and Charlotte-Douglas International.

The TSA press release detailed plans for future airports to have the “Families on the Fly” program, which include Charleston International Airport, Jacksonville International, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and Tampa International Airport.

Additional airports will be added to the program in coming months.

Another initiative launched by TSA is “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” that expedites “access for military members in TSA PreCheck lanes at airports near major military bases.” or considered. This gives military members and their families “dedicated screening lanes or front-of-line privileges” both of which reduce wait time.

A third initiative recently announced and started in July is that passengers no longer need to remove their shoes during screening at certain checkpoints. Having recently traveled, I noticed that some passengers had not received the good news.

A potential change hinted at by Noem is in the amount of liquid allowed to be carried in luggage. Currently, passengers can pack in a carry-on bag travel-sized containers that hold 3.4 ounces or less per item. Larger sized items must be placed in checked luggage. The only exceptions are medications or “infant and child nourishments.”

Travel is a good activity for families, but it can be difficult for both parents and children. However, travel can strengthen families, and strong families strengthen communities, states, and nations.