IAH one of the lucky airports

Breezing through airport security lines for a price? Expansion of TSA PreCheckprogram raises concerns

Still no way to bypass metal detectors or the contentious Backscatter x-raymachines.
Global Entry travelers will continue to benefit from PreCheck at participatingairports.
BLTD.com

At long last, an alternative to long lines, fumbling with Ziplocs and risking the contraction of foot fungus!

The Transportation Security Administration has tested a PreCheck expedited screening program for low-risk travelers at seven airports over the past few months, and it must be going well.

The TSA is expanding PreCheck in 2012 to eligible passengers at 28 additional airports, including Houston's George Bush Intercontinental.

Benefits of PreCheck include moving through an expedited lane at security, wearing belts, shoes and jackets through the detectors, and keeping laptops and liquids inside carry-ons.

Benefits of PreCheck include moving through an expedited lane at security, wearing belts, shoes and jackets through the detectors, and keeping laptops and liquids inside carry-on baggage.

So simple, but such a relief.

Who is eligible?

Currently, certain high-mileage frequent flyers (Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways are inviting eligible travelers to opt in) can breeze through the security line, as well as members of the Customs and Border Protection's Trusted Traveler programs, like Global Entry (which requires a $100 nonrefundable application fee with no guarantee of approval), and others.

Approval hinges on the results of an "intelligence-driven risk assessment" based on passengers' personal data. The TSA is understandably vague about pre-screening procedures.

Thankfully, the TSA "will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening in order to retain a certain element of randomness to prevent terrorists from gaming the system."

Do airport security lines give you anxiety? Does the PreCheck make you feel less secure or less hassled? Would you pay $100 to move through the line faster?

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Enchanted Expansion

Iconic Texas state park Enchanted Rock adds 630 acres to its domain

Photo courtesy of KVUE

This was a lucky purchase after staff spotted a "for sale" sign.

A popular Central Texas hiking and camping destination is getting even bigger.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area will add an extra 630 acres of land in Gillespie County. The payment was approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in August during a meeting in Austin, though the exact cost of the transaction is unclear.

"We are so excited that we were able to acquire this property and that we will be able to give the hundreds of thousands of Enchanted Rock patrons new opportunities to recreate in this part of the state," said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. "This addition is the latest win for Texas State Parks as we work towards enhancing some of our existing sites and continuing our gold medal-winning stewardship to the people of Texas."

In a release Tuesday morning, TPWD said it was first made aware of the available land when local park staff alerted the department about a "for sale" sign. TPWD then engaged its official nonprofit partner, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, to help secure the property from Comanche Rock Acquisitions, LLC.

"This land purchase would not have been possible without the help of our partners and the people of Texas," Franklin said. "By passing Proposition 5 in 2019, TPWD was able to use Sporting Goods Sales Tax funding made available for strategic land acquisitions in conjunction with federal Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars to conserve this property for public use."

Enchanted Rock currently sits at roughly 1,644 acres and includes almost 11 miles of trails, with a maximum elevation of 1,825 feet.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

parks nature hill country