Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer in the United States. With Omicron a less deadly variant of COVID, on top of 66.6% of eligible Americans vaccinated, on top of a whole lot of people itching to finally travel this year, airports are sure to be packed this Memorial Day weekend.
Just in time, another airport, the second one in the New York metropolitan area, has begun offering a pilot program that allows passengers to make a reservation to go to the TSA checkpoint, instead of having to stand in line.
John F. Kennedy Int’l Airport
CLEAR and JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), recently announced the launch of a FREE virtual queuing program at Terminal 4. JFK T4 Reserve powered by CLEAR allows travelers at JFK’s T4 to plan ahead and reserve a dedicated security lane time slot for their party – giving them a more predictable and stress-free travel experience.
How it Works
- Reserve: To use the free JFK T4 Reserve powered by CLEAR lane, just visit the dedicated website where you can enter your flight details, and the size of your party, to find a reservation time that works for you.
- Confirm: Once you select your reservation time, finish booking by entering your email, and confirming your details. You’ll receive a confirmation email and QR code.
- Go: When you arrive at airport security, look for signs pointing to the Reserve powered by CLEAR lane. Scan your QR code with our staff and enjoy the fast lane right to TSA screening and security.
Reservations can be made online up to 72 hours before a flight’s scheduled departure. Reservation times are available based on the passenger’s selected flight; slots are available starting at least 60 minutes before domestic flights and at least 75 minutes before international flights. The dedicated JFK Reserve security entry point is open between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. (their busiest times).
Terminal 4 is an international terminal, although some domestic airlines also land there. Airlines that use the gates at T4 include:
- AeroMexico
- Air India
- Air Europa
- Avianca
- Caribbean
- China Airlines
- China Southern
- Copa Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- ELAL Israel Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Hainan Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Kuwait Airlines
- LATAM Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Uzbekistan Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
- Xiamen Air
Calgary Int’l Airport
Calgary Int’l Airport (YYC) is the first airport in Canada to use CLEAR Reserve (although CLEAR itself is not in use at YYC yet – only CLEAR Reserve is). It’s called YYC Express and includes FREE advanced reservations and onsite appointments at Security D for all departing passengers within D’s checkpoint hours on any airline.
Reservations can be made up to 48 hours before your flight. To ensure customers still have time to arrive well before boarding, slots are available up until 60 minutes before each scheduled flight time (I guess YYC isn’t as busy as the airlines in the U.S., where they’re telling us to arrive 2-3 hours early).
How it works
1. Sign up in advance up to one hour before your flight or when you arrive at the airport!
2. Select the airline you’re flying with, destination, and flight number along with your name, number of people in your party, and contact information to save your spot.
3. Once you’re at the airport, your time is yours! Check your bags, grab some coffee, spend more time with loved ones, or just walk up at your appointment time.
4. Go to your assigned checkpoint and look for the virtual queue logo or use our interactive map for step-by-step directions. YYC Express is available at Security D. Show airport staff your QR code, and you’re ready to go through screening.
Airports in AZ, FL, NYC, CA, TX & WA
Select airports in these states have had reservation systems in place for a while. Some are permanent, some are pilot programs:
- Arizona
- Florida
- New York
- New Jersey
- California (the pilot was supposed to end in January, but the program is still running)
- Texas
- Washington
Boston-Logan Int’l Airport also had a virtual queue pilot program, run by accesso (yes, with a lower case A. I dunno), that ran in early-mid 2021, but they never made it permanent or brought it back.
Not all airports with reservations for the TSA security clearance are using CLEAR Reserve. However many are. Here’s more info about the program, including a FAQ.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
2 comments
I just renewed TSA Precheck for $85.00. Why, if this program is going to be instituted ????
The “make a reservation” pilots (and the one(s) that are permanent) only allow you to know when you’re going to get into the queue. If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, you’re still going to have to remove your computer, shoes, belt, etc., as well everyone else in front of you. So the non-PreCheck queue, even with a reservation, will still be slower than the PreCheck queue.