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TODAY IN THE SKY
Transportation Security Administration

TSA doling out $15,000 for ideas to improve airport lines

Ben Mutzabaugh
USA TODAY
This undated photo provided by the TSA shows a line for PreCheck fliers at Washington's Reagan National Airport.

Do you have a suggestion for how the Transportation Security Administration could improve its airport security lines?

If so, it could pay off. The agency will award a cumulative total of $15,000 to individuals whose ideas help the agency tweak the way it handles its lines. The agency guarantees that at least one recipient will receive $5,000 and that other payouts of at least $2,500 could be awarded up to a total of $15,000.

The agency is looking for ideas for queue layouts that can accommodate lanes for several categories of travelers.

Many airports, for example, already have lines for PreCheck fliers, who voluntarily submit to a background check in exchange for the ability to go through security without removing their shoes, liquids and laptops for separate screening.

But airports also have queues for other categories of fliers, including first-class customers, elite frequent-fliers, active military members, airline crews and travelers who require wheelchair access.

The TSA says it's looking for "simulation modeling" concepts that can "be applied in decision analysis and to take in considerations of site specific requirements, peak and non-peak hours, flight schedules and TSA staffing schedules."

"Solvers are expected to provide the concept and provide evidence that it works as described in the requirements," the TSA adds in its idea challenge.

In a statement to Today in the Sky, the TSA says the "challenge is a targeted request for inventive ideas that allow the agency to crowd source by engaging diverse and non-traditional groups of thinkers and solvers."

Those interested in submitting an idea can find more information via an online submission form.

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