Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is piloting a new program in collaboration with United Airlines called LAX Fast Lane that allows passengers to reserve a time to undergo security screening, bypassing lines once they reach the airport.
LAX Fast Lane, A Way To Skip the TSA Line
Beginning 24 hours before departure, customers interested in reserving an appointment can visit flylax.com/fastlane to reserve a 15-minute window in line to proceed through security between 1-4 hours prior to their flight time. Slots are available between 6:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. during the trial, and must be reserved at least an hour before departure. Once at the airport, customers will show their reservation via a QR code to agents where they will be allowed to enter a reserved TSA screening lane.
The special checkpoint is located in Terminal 7, which is ideal for United Airlines passengers which depart from Terminal 7 and 8, but is open to all passengers. Terminals 4-8 plus the Bradley International Terminal are all connected on the secure side. Soon, every terminal will be. That said, unless you are flying out of Terminal 6-8, you are unlikely to save time using this Fast Lane feature: outside of the Bradley Terminal in the late evening and Terminal 1 (Southwest) in the morning, lines rarely seem to be a problem at LAX.
Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) framed this as way for passengers to take control of their own journey:
“As part of the ongoing modernization at LAX, we are creating a digital marketplace in which the passenger is in charge of their entire journey right from their own device. Providing a service that allows our guests to know exactly when and how long it will take to get through airport security is a compelling service that holds great potential for busy travelers. We thank our partners at United Airlines and TSA for their collaboration as we test this new service.”
No account or login is necessary for the new service. You’ll simply use the link above to input your name and flight info, then receive a QR code. The service is free…currently at least. I can foresee this becoming a paid service as traffic returns to the airport, if the trial is successful.
If you have PreCheck or Clear, you will use your “regular” security checkpoints; this checkpoint is only for general screening passengers.
CONCLUSION
I can see this new tool being of benefit to some passengers, just like the Mobile Passport program. That said, if you are concerned about consistently clearing security quickly consider PreCheck or Clear, just like you want Global Entry if you are a frequent international traveler.
I struggle to see how this will help the airport more than assigning TSA agents in this pilot to help everyone going through the checkpoint.
Took me 35 mins yesterday to get from Sepulveda to Term 6. Gonna be difficult to meet that 15 min window.
How do you use Fast Lane if flying Alaska Airlines – Terminal 6. The Fast Lane site does not allow choosing any airline other than United or Southwest. Thus cannot get an appointment or QR code.