Express security screening on tap for Delta passengers at LAX

A program that lets preapproved air travelers zip through security lines will be expanded later this month to Delta Air Lines passengers at Los Angeles International Airport.

The program, dubbed PreCheck and operated by the Transportation Security Administration, has been available for several months at LAX but only for passengers who fly American Airlines, one of the largest carriers at the airport.

Starting April 24, it will be offered to Delta passengers as well, the TSA announced Friday.

PreCheck lets travelers who get TSA clearance avoid what have become the most annoying steps of post-9/11 screening: removing shoes, belt and coats.

To get approved to participate, passengers must be U.S. citizens and must share background information such as gender and date of birth with the TSA.

Travelers who have already submitted background information to participate in a frequent flier program with American and Delta airlines may be invited by those airlines to participate in PreCheck. If passengers agree, the airlines would share the background data with the TSA.

Travelers may also provide PreCheck background information online, pay $100 and receive an identification number that is submitted when booking an airline ticket. The application also qualifies passengers for Global Entry, an expedited program for entering the country.

Since the program’s launch in October, it has been expanded to 12 airports across the country and has screened 750,000 passengers, according to TSA.

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