There's a Way to Skip the 3-Hour TSA Line

If you have a flight coming up, listen up.

Right now, airports across the country are a mess. TSA lines at major hubs like O'Hare, Atlanta, and DFW are spilling out of terminals and into parking lots. Travelers in Houston waited over three hours just to get through security. Officials in New Orleans are telling passengers to arrive three hours early.

And it is only getting worse. Spring break traffic is surging. TSA staffing is stretched thin from the government shutdown. Some agents are skipping shifts because they are not getting paid.

Here is the part nobody is talking about though.

There is already a fix. And if you have TSA PreCheck, you can set it up in about 10 minutes.

It's called TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.

Here's how it works. You opt in through your airline's app, upload your passport photo, and give consent to use facial comparison technology. When you get to the airport, a camera takes your photo, matches it to your passport on file, and you walk through. No wallet out. No boarding pass fumbling. No digging through your bag.

Just walk through.

The lanes are separate from the standard PreCheck lines, which means even less congestion. TSA is expanding the program to 65 major airports by spring 2026. American Airlines currently covers 25 airports. Delta covers 27. Philly, Denver, LAX, O'Hare, JFK, and SFO are all already live.

The cost? Nothing extra. It is included with your existing PreCheck membership.

To set it up, open your airline app and look for "TSA PreCheck and travel documents." Select "TSA PreCheck Touchless ID," upload your passport photo, and complete the consent pages. That's it.

Bring your Real ID or passport as a backup just in case, but most people sail right through.

With airports in full chaos mode right now, this is one of the easiest wins you can give yourself before your next trip. Ten minutes of setup for potentially hours saved at the airport.

Worth it.

Keep traveling, 

Andrew

Have you been stuck in a brutal TSA line recently? Where were you flying and how long did it take?

Cocktail of the Week

The Rusty Nail cocktail is believed to have been created in Scotland, where it was popularized as a way to enjoy Scotch whisky. Its simple yet bold flavor combination of Scotch whisky and Drambuie, a honey and herb-infused liqueur, has made it a classic cocktail enjoyed by many around the world.
 

Recipe:

• 2 oz Scotch whisky
• 1 oz Drambuie
   

Directions:
1. Fill a rocks glass with ice.
2. Pour Scotch whisky and Drambuie over the ice.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Optional: Garnish with a lemon twist or a maraschino cherry.

Random Travel Thought

After seeing these long TSA lines, who is still on Team Check Luggage?

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The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com : This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner : An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing : I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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