Skip to main content

Hate the airport security line? Make a reservation instead

Airport security lines may be less of a hassle with this new program

If waiting in airport security lines feels like the absolute last way you want to spend hours in your day, you may be in luck. There are a few airports testing out reservation systems that will allow travelers to book time going through security in advance, without paying for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR (though, if you travel a lot — or even a little — we recommend those anyway). That’s right. You can actually schedule a time and use a QR code to avoid waiting in lengthy lines to ensure you make your flight and save your sanity in the process. Sounds like a win-win to us.

The inside of a busy airport.
K Hsu/Unsplash / Unsplash

Which airports will roll this new program out?

Last week, Denver International Airport, which is the third-busiest airport in the world, rolled out “DEN Reserve,” a free online service that travelers can use to make security line reservations. Passengers can book this up to three days before their (or their group’s) flight or on the same day by scanning a QR code near the Bridge Security TSA Checkpoint. Because of the anticipated high demand of this service, the airport recommends making one in advance. “DEN Reserve is only available to general screening passengers,” the airport says on its website. “The program provides a better screening experience for those without a trusted traveler program and creates efficiency where we have the highest demand.” This service is only available from 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., so if you are flying out later at night, you’re out of luck.

Recommended Videos

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport also rolled out a similar program called “MSP Reserve,” Tim Harlow told the Star Tribune. At this airport, passengers can reserve a security reservation up to a week in advance at Terminal Two checkpoints only between 3:45 a.m. and 8 a.m. This is the smaller hub of the airport where airliners like Sun Country and Spirit and a few others operate, so those flying out of Terminal One will not be eligible.

These and several other airports will or have started this pilot program, so check here to see if your airport is participating.

How does it work?

After booking your reservation, passengers will be emailed a QR code, which can be shown at a designated security checkpoint, along with a photo ID approved to use for travel. If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, continue using those, as this program won’t be eligible for you. Every airport has a time limit that you’ll need to stay within to use your reservation, so if you’re running late, it may get canceled. Given the length of airport security wait times at most busy airports, it pays to get to the line on time.

“It is important to provide a variety of options for passengers to get to their gates as efficiently and timely as possible,” Denver International Airport spokesperson Ashley Forest told USA Today. The airport will see how the process works during this initial rollout, Forest continued, “before it is considered as a permanent program at DEN, at which point we will ask City Council for their consideration to contract with Clear for a longer-term program.”

Julie Scagell
Former Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
9 TSA approved items you didn’t know you could bring on an airplane
Think you know what TSA lets through? Think again
Security checkpoint in an airport

Airport security can feel like a guessing game. Most travelers know the basics – no full-size liquids, no sharp objects, no fireworks. But aside from that, things can get a little murky. There’s actually a long list of TSA-approved items that are completely allowed through security, even if they seem questionable at first glance. For example, I once watched a TSA agent calmly wave through someone carrying a frozen acai bowl while I got pulled aside for a rogue tube of toothpaste. That’s when I realized I clearly didn’t know all the rules.

So, let’s take a look at TSA-approved items you didn’t know you could bring through airport security. These are the ones that make people do a double-take when they see them on the conveyor belt, but they’re totally allowed (with a few caveats, of course).
1. Peanut butter (it's allowed, but it’s complicated)

Read more
How to survive the middle seat on a plane: 6 smart tips that really help
When life gives you the middle seat, here’s how to make it work for you
empty airplane seats

No one wants the middle seat. You either booked last-minute, got hit with a basic economy deal, or rolled the dice on a random assignment and lost. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit, usually because of work trips I didn’t know about until 48 hours before takeoff.

There’s something uniquely humbling about wedging yourself between two strangers at 35,000 feet with nowhere to lean and zero personal space. But after enough cramped flights, I’ve learned a few solid strategies that actually help make the middle seat on airplane flights bearable. Not luxurious, let’s not get carried away, but definitely more manageable.
How to survive the middle seat on an airplane

Read more
Do compression packing bags really work? We tested so you don’t have to
We packed the same suitcase twice and the results were surprising
A person packing their suitcase with dress clothing.

If you’ve ever tried to squeeze one more outfit into your carry-on, you’ve probably considered using a compression packing bag. It's one of those travel hacks that sounds promising, but does it actually make a difference? I decided to find out for myself by packing the same suitcase twice: once using a compression bag and once the old-fashioned way. I wanted to see how much space I could actually save, how wrinkled my clothes would get, and whether the hassle was worth it. Here’s what happened.
So, what is compression packing?

Basically, compression packing is a way to squeeze your clothes down to take up less space. You use a compression bag or compression packing cube to push the air out and flatten everything. The idea is that you can bring the same amount of clothes, but they’ll take up less room. This means you might actually have space for an extra outfit or two (or some souvenirs on the way home).
How I tested compression packing
To put it to the test, I packed for a standard long-weekend trip. The idea was to keep everything realistic, just enough clothes for a three to four-day getaway without overdoing it. Here’s what I packed:

Read more