The partial government shutdown impacting the pay of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers has led to long lines in airports across the United States. While many travelers report hours-long security waits and missed flights, one woman figured out a way to get through in minutes.
In a video with over 200,000 views, TikToker Pauline Kulka (@paulinekulka) says she flew out of Chicago O’Hare on March 13. She instantly spotted long security lines throughout the “entire airport.”
However, she says she was able to get through security in under five minutes while others waited.
Kulka is a member of TSA PreCheck, which lets approved travelers use a separate line with a few extra privileges like keeping their belts and shoes on. She notes that the TSA PreCheck line was also long. Then, she reveals a little-known add-on to the service that sped up her wait time: TSA PreCheck Touchless.
How Does TSA PreCheck Touchless Work?
“Not a lot of people have [Touchless] opted in,” Kulka notes. She explains that she logged into the airline’s website before her flight and “opt into Touchless.”
According to the TSA website, the Touchless program lets travelers use facial recognition technology instead of a physical ID. This service has a separate line from regular TSA PreCheck.
This service is only available with certain airlines, like Delta, United, and American Airlines, and travelers need to have TSA PreCheck in order to opt into the touchless option. The “Touchless” designation will appear on travelers’ digital boarding pass next to the regular TSA PreCheck icon.
“Because this is a separate line and not a lot of people are opted in…that took me under five minutes to get through security when a lot of people were waiting well over an hour,” she says.
Is Touchless A Best-Kept Secret?
Commenters who are already opted into the program urged the TikToker to gatekeep the little-known option.
“Ugh, there is a reason why not a lot of people are opted in…we were gate keeping this!!!” one exclaimed.
Another wrote, “Don’t tell everyone!!!”
However, others thanked Kulka for sharing her tip to skip the regular security lines, saying they plan to try it for their upcoming trip.
“I just opted into this yesterday! Fingers crossed it works,” a commenter shared.
“Thank you! just opted in – traveling soon and worried about long lines,” a second said.
Why Are Airport Security Lines So Long Right Now?
According to NPR, airport security reports the longest wait times in TSA’s 24-year history due to the ongoing partial shutdown. TSA agents have not received a paycheck in over three weeks, and many are still financially recovering from the full government shutdown just months prior.
Rather than working with no pay, around 50% of TSA workers call out of work to pursue other ways to make money to cover their bills. With fewer available agents, TSA waits reach up to four hours in some airports.
Once the shutdown ends, it could take a couple of days for lines to return to normal, USA Today writes. However, with many TSA workers quitting, it could take up to six months for new officers to complete their training to replace them.
@paulinekulka Send this to someone who is flying soon! #tsa #tsaprecheck #airtraveltips
BroBible reached out to Kulka via email and Instagram direct message and to the TSA via email for further comment. We will update the story when they reply.