What’s the difference between TSA PreCheck, Touchless ID and CLEAR?

(NewsNation) — Airport security lines have become increasingly unpredictable amid a partial government shutdown that has triggered Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages at major hubs.

The disruptions, which have left some travelers waiting hours in line, have reignited interest in expedited screening programs like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, with Google search interest spiking in recent days.

Those programs come at a cost, but they typically help cut wait times — in some cases, significantly — even if they haven’t been spared from the recent turmoil.

Here’s what to know about TSA PreCheck, CLEAR and a newer option called Touchless ID.

Will TSA PreCheck and CLEAR help you avoid the travel chaos?

The programs often cut security wait times, but they aren’t immune to disruptions.

Both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR were unavailable at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday, where wait times stretched to four hours.

TSA PreCheck was also unavailable at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Sunday due to staffing shortages. Airport officials said the service is typically available but may be suspended during busy periods.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, agents warned passengers on Sunday that TSA PreCheck wait times were climbing to four to five hours, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. The line reportedly included passengers without the designation.

In some cases, the paid membership service CLEAR has stayed open even when TSA PreCheck is down, as in New Orleans on Sunday, where it remained available for those who were already enrolled in the program.

At Baltimore/Washington International Airport, traveler Casey Clark said he faced an hourslong line on Sunday, with TSA PreCheck closed and only one checkpoint open. He looked for another option.

“The standard........

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