KINGS POINT, N.Y., - October 28, 2016 -  Today, as United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Midshipman finish their final exams and travel home for Fall Break or join vessels, they will enjoy shorter lines at New York City airports.

When TSA first approved expedited screening for DOD civilians, active duty service members, cadets and midshipmen from the four other U.S. service academies, USMMA didn’t have an agreement in place.  Today, we do. Thanks to the hard work of USMMA’s Department of Information Technology, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), eligible USMMA midshipmen will enjoy the same benefits as cadets and midshipmen from the other four Federal Service Academies.  This will make travel a lot easier for our midshipmen who choose to participate.”

“This initiative and the final result is a great outcome,” said Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen. “It brings our Maritime Service Academy at King’s Point into parity with the other four military Service Academies, and better accommodates the travel needs of our Midshipmen who are traveling globally for their Sea Year training.”

Under the agreement, USMMA midshipmen now qualify for the program. By entering their known traveler number (KTN) when purchasing their airline tickets, they may receive expedited screening through TSA Precheck® lanes at more than 150 U.S. airports on 16 airlines eliminating the need to remove shoes, belt, light jacket, and take out liquids and laptop from their carry-on during the screening. As more airlines participate in the program screening, more passengers will enjoy shorter waits for each leg of their flight. In July 2016, TSA reported that 97% of TSA Pre✓® passengers waited less than 5 minutes.

Click TSA Pre✓FAQ  for more information.