I Tried the New 'One Stop Security' Program at the Airport-Here's How Much Time It Saved Me

"A new airport security initiative being piloted in the United States- One Stop Security -could soon change the way international travelers handle layovers in America. The program aims to eliminate redundant security checks for passengers arriving from select foreign airports, allowing them to connect to domestic flights as seamlessly as they would on an all-U.S. itinerary. Instead of picking up and rechecking bags or going through TSA screening again, travelers can proceed straight to their next gate."

"To compare experiences, I recruited my husband as a control subject-he'd follow the traditional route through customs and security, while I'd try out One Stop Security. The moment I stepped off the jet bridge in Atlanta, I was greeted and escorted by a representative to the dedicated One Stop Security lane. From there, I presented my passport, confirmed I had nothing to declare, and- just like that -was cleared to continue to my connecting flight. Total time: one minute."

One Stop Security removes redundant security re-checks for eligible passengers arriving from selected foreign airports, allowing direct connections to domestic flights without claiming and rechecking luggage. The pilot launched earlier this year on two London Heathrow routes: American Airlines to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Delta Air Lines to Atlanta (ATL). Officials say the program can save up to 45 minutes for travelers. A traveler test compared the One Stop process with the traditional arrival routine using a control passenger. The One Stop traveler was escorted through a dedicated lane and cleared after passport verification and a declaration check in about one minute, while the control passenger spent roughly 20 minutes in customs and 15 minutes retrieving and rechecking luggage before proceeding.

Read at Travel + Leisure