(RHODE ISLAND) Families moving through security at T.F. Green International Airport now have a faster, calmer path. As of August 27, 2025, the airport is running a dedicated Family Lane at the TSA checkpoint, part of the national “Families on the Fly” campaign. The program began at T.F. Green on August 6, 2025, and TSA says about 1,500 passengers per day are already using the lane.
TSA officials describe the change as a way to cut stress and keep lines moving while maintaining standard screening.
Who is eligible and how to join
Families with children 12 and under, plus extended relatives traveling together—grandparents, aunts, uncles—are eligible. No enrollment or pre-registration is required. A TSA officer identifies eligible groups at the podium and directs them to the marked Family Lane.
The goal is straightforward: give parents and caregivers a little more room and a bit of extra help at the point where trips often become stressful, without changing security rules or safety.
Family Lane vs. TSA PreCheck
- The Family Lane is a space-and-service change that provides more room and officer assistance while using standard screening procedures.
- TSA PreCheck is a separate program that changes screening rules (often allowing shoes on, laptops inside bags, etc.).
Key distinctions:
– Families in the Family Lane still follow standard screening: shoes may need to come off, and laptops and liquids may need to be removed unless the lane has equipment that allows otherwise.
– To encourage faster screening, TSA is offering a $15 discount on PreCheck when two adults enroll together. A family of four can save $30.
– Children 12 and under can accompany enrolled parents through PreCheck.
– Teens 13–17 may join PreCheck if they’re on the same reservation and their boarding pass shows the PreCheck indicator.
How the Family Lane works on the ground
T.F. Green placed its Family Lane at one of the airport’s widest checkpoints to make room for strollers and extra carry-ons. TSA officers are on hand to help with car seats, diaper bags, and the small items that slow families down.
The lane uses clear signage to guide travelers, and officers at the podium direct families when they arrive, so there’s no guesswork about where to go. According to TSA spokesperson Daniel Velez, early feedback has been positive, and daily usage remains high, reflecting steady demand during the summer travel window and back-to-school flights.
Even with these hospitality steps, TSA stresses that the Family Lane uses the same security technology and rules as other lanes. The difference is the pace and the space: room to reorganize belongings and time for an officer to assist without pressure from the line behind them. TSA says that helps reduce rechecks and repacking, which can slow down all passengers, not just parents.
Leadership and national rollout
- TSA’s Rhode Island Federal Security Director Daniel Burche said the lane aims to streamline screening and lower stress for families, especially at peak times.
- Adam Stahl, the Deputy TSA Administrator, framed the national push as part of a Department of Homeland Security effort to keep security strong while making the experience smoother.
- DHS Secretary Noem announced “Families on the Fly” as a major step in hospitality for families traveling through federal checkpoints.
Launched nationally in July 2025 at Orlando International Airport, “Families on the Fly” is rolling out to more cities, with Tampa set to open a lane soon. T.F. Green’s early adoption places Rhode Island among the first airports to bring the model into daily use.
The effort builds on recent hospitality changes, including ending the requirement to remove shoes at certain checkpoints where technology and policy allow, while keeping overall security standards in place.
Practical steps for families at T.F. Green
- Arrive at the TSA checkpoint with your group and carry-ons.
- At the podium, tell the officer you’re traveling as a family.
- If eligible, you’ll be directed to the clearly marked Family Lane.
- Follow standard TSA screening instructions; officers can help with strollers and bags.
- If you have TSA PreCheck, children 12 and under may come with you; teens 13–17 can join if on the same booking and their boarding pass shows PreCheck.
- Keep boarding passes and IDs ready to avoid delays at the podium.
Military families and PreCheck benefits
Military families also see changes that make trips easier. TSA maintains dedicated PreCheck access for service members and their families at airports with PreCheck.
- Active-duty military and Department of Defense employees receive free TSA PreCheck by entering their DoD ID number as their Known Traveler Number when booking flights.
- That benefit lets eligible families use PreCheck lanes together when their boarding passes show the indicator, speeding up screening beyond the Family Lane.
Details on eligibility, enrollment, and benefits are available at the official TSA PreCheck page: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
Assistance for travelers with disabilities
The TSA Cares program remains in place for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or those who need extra help. Parents of children with sensory needs, or adults traveling with medical devices, can request assistance before they arrive or at the checkpoint.
At T.F. Green, officers trained in passenger support are part of the Family Lane approach, helping families move through without feeling rushed. Early traveler reports describe calmer lines and fewer last-minute repacks, which often lead to secondary checks and missed flights.
For parents, the difference shows up in small moments: time to fold a stroller without blocking the belt, space to sort snacks and bottles, and an officer nearby to guide the process.
For the airport, the lane can ease pressure on general screening lines by separating passengers who need a bit more time. Keeping the Family Lane at a wide checkpoint helps prevent bottlenecks when families unload gear or settle children before walking through screening.
Early evidence and expansion plans
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, dedicated lanes have practical benefits beyond kinder optics:
– They can reduce the number of bins per family.
– They can lower the rate of secondary bag checks.
– They help officers focus attention where it’s most needed.
As more United States 🇺🇸 airports adopt the model, TSA will collect feedback and adjust operations, aiming for shorter waits across the board. TSA says the program will expand over the coming months, with more airports adding family-dedicated space and building on T.F. Green’s early experience.
Final reminders
- Remember: the Family Lane is a service and space improvement, not a change to screening rules.
- PreCheck remains the route to expedited screening (often keeping shoes on and leaving laptops in bags).
- With the $15 discount for two adults who enroll together, some families may choose to add PreCheck now—especially frequent flyers. Children 12 and under ride along with enrolled parents, increasing the value for families.
T.F. Green officials and TSA plan to monitor traffic patterns as fall travel begins. If demand stays strong, the airport may adjust staffing at the Family Lane during morning peaks and evening returns to keep wait times steady for both families and solo travelers.
The message to parents is simple: arrive prepared, tell the officer you’re traveling as a family, and use the lane designed for you. TSA says that clarity helps keep the line moving for everyone, without adding any extra steps or special enrollment.
This Article in a Nutshell
T.F. Green launched a Family Lane August 6, 2025, serving ~1,500 daily passengers by August 27; it provides space and assistance for families while keeping standard TSA screening rules intact.
