CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. -- Although major airports are experiencing much longer delays, the wait time at Buffalo-Niagara International has increased. The fix seems to be a combination of action by the TSA and travelers.
The NFTA says the TSA, or Transportation Security Administration, is hiring 20 screening officers in Buffalo to fill vacancies. However, vetting and training can take several months.
In the meantime, TSA employees who were previously not part of the screening process are now doing things like returning bins so that officers can focus on security.
The TSA stresses that, in Buffalo, 90 percent of passengers still go through the security line in under 30 minutes. There is a "rush hour", just like with your morning commute. In Buffalo, it's busiest between 4 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. weekdays.
Passengers can help by signing up for the TSA's PreCheck program, which enables you to keep on your shoes, belt and light jacket as you pass through security. An approved passenger can also leave his or her laptop in its case.
TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein compares it to the express checkout lane at the supermarket.
"You see the line for 15 items or fewer that's going to go much quicker than the line with somebody who has a huge basket of groceries," Farbstein explained.
The following will help guide you through the PreCheck program:
- Start at TSA.gov.
- Fill out the application.
- You can sign up for an appointment at an enrollment center (although walk-ins are welcome).
- The local enrollment center is at 1526 Walden Avenue, Suite 800, Cheektowaga, NY.
- Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- The enrollment center is in an H&R Block office. It is not clearly designated; however, there is an IdentoGO sign in the window. IdentoGO is a company that performs the enrollment services for PreCheck.
- Bring your birth certificate or passport. This is only open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- The cost for the PreCheck program is $85, and it's good for 5 years. The TSA says that covers the cost of the fingerprinting, FBI background check, etc., and that TSA does not make any profit.