United Airlines announced the launch of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck program at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) C3 Checkpoint and at Dulles International Airport (IAD) main terminal later this month. TSA PreCheck is a new, risk-based pre-screening initiative that allows customers to volunteer information about themselves that may make them eligible to expedite their screening experience. Eligible United customers traveling through Terminal C3 Checkpoint at EWR and the departures level of the main terminal at IAD are allowed to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belts and to keep their laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids and gels in their carry-ons.

"We are excited that the TSA is expanding the PreCheck process to our New York hub, and I know that our team in the Washington, D.C. hub is anxiously awaiting the launch there next week," said Toby Enqvist, vice president of United's New York operations. "We'll have PreCheck at five of our United hubs, and look forward to expanding it to all of them. We hear great feedback from our customers who tell us how much easier PreCheck™ makes their travel experience."

The TSA manages and operates this program and is working with United and with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify possible participants. Eligible United MileagePlus members are being invited to participate in the initial phase. Non-members may qualify by becoming eligible members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Trusted Traveler programs. For customers who choose to participate, the TSA will determine eligibility for expedited screening prior to each flight and will embed this information in the barcode of eligible customers' boarding passes. TSA agents will scan the boarding pass and will direct eligible customers to the assigned pre-screening lane. The TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures, so no customers are guaranteed expedited screening.

MileagePlus members participating in this program may be eligible for expedited security screening at Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, Ore., Reagan Washington National, and Seattle, in addition to Newark and Dulles. United customers can look forward to TSA PreCheck™ launching at additional airports throughout 2012.