TSA Making Major Pittsburgh International Airport Checkpoints Change

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA — After lengthy lines caused a number of travelers to miss their flights on Monday morning, the Transportation Security Administration is making security checkpoint changes at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Beginning July 8, from 4 a.m.-7 a.m. on weekdays, the alternate security checkpoint will be dedicated exclusively to travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck who are ticketed to fly out of the airport. PreCheck lanes at the main checkpoint will not be open during that period.

After 7 a.m., a TSA PreCheck lane will be available at the main checkpoint through 8 p.m. The alternate checkpoint may reopen during the day on an as-needed basis, dependent on passenger volume to serve both TSA PreCheck and non-TSA PreCheck travelers.

"The surge in passenger volume in the early hours of the morning has started to exceed the capacity of the security checkpoints," the TSA stated in a release. "The increase in passenger volume is a result of additional flights that have been added by airlines to accommodate traveler demand."

TSA officials believe the moves will expedite the screening process, maximize space and minimize line wait times for all travelers at both checkpoints. TSA piloted the change for a few days last month to determine whether it would improve passenger flow and the agency has decided to move forward with it.

Even with the impending change, passengers still are advised to arrive at the airport as much as three hours before their scheduled departure to ensure they catch their flight.