Low-hassle TSA screening coming to Bush Airport

HOUSTON – The Transportation Security Administration will soon begin testing low-hassle passenger screening at 28 U.S. airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The program identifies travelers who log thousands of miles each year, and asks them if they want to take part in the TSA PreCheck program.

Travelers who join would be allowed to go through security lines faster, and in some cases, wouldn't have to take off their shoes and belts or remove their laptops from their carry-on luggage. The information provided by a passenger would be embedded onto a boarding pass.

"Yeah, I would like that a lot. I think that works good for everyone. I think that would be safe, and I would feel safe about having other fliers and customers do the same," said John Stewart, a frequent flyer.

Federal officials have not said what specific criteria flyers will have to meet to be invited into the program.

"The airlines are working with us based on intelligence. We don't publish that criteria because we don't want to provide a road map for terrorists to say, 'OK, if I can fly X-number of miles in the next year, then I may qualify,'" said John Pistole with the TSA.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the program represents a fundamental shift in aviation security.

"When we are looking for that needle in the haystack, we are also working with traveler programs to try to reduce the size of the haystack," said Napolitano. "Trusted traveler programs, like TSA PreCheck, lets travelers volunteer information about themselves, and that allows us to better allocate our time and resources to individuals we know less about."

The new program is expected to start at Bush Airport by the end of 2012.

The TSA PreCheck program has been tested at seven airports already with 360,000 travelers taking part.

The 28 airports taking part include: