Speedy Security Surcharges Soar

The Transportation Security Administration said last year that it wanted to charge about $30 for background checks on frequent fliers seeking to join its Registered Traveler program to get speedy access through security checkpoints. Now, USA Today reports, the agency wants to add another $70 fee to pay the salaries of the TSA employees who would monitor Registered Traveler checkpoints. The agency also may add a $20 charge for a criminal background check. And all of those fees are on top of the annual charges of up to $80 that fliers would pay to the companies who run the program.