This summer, travelers on two major airlines departing from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) will be able to try out a new pilot program featuring off-site security screening services designed to make the security process smoother and faster.
The program, priced at $9, is called “Straight to Gate Service,” and will launch on June 1st, with reservations already available. The service will allow passengers to pass through security at a remote terminal in suburban Framingham, Mass., about 40 miles west of BOS, and then board a shuttle directly to a security checkpoint at the airport’s airside terminal, bypassing the large crowds in regular security lines at the hub airport. Hourly buses are scheduled to arrive at BOS no later than 45 minutes before departure.
Of course, there are certain restrictions, most notably that passengers must fly on Delta or JetBlue on flights departing between 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Another big advantage is that parking is cheap. It’s only $7 a day in Framingham.
Here’s what else passengers should know:
How does the Logan Remote service work?
Passengers flying Delta or JetBlue can already reserve a spot for remote service screening on flights starting June 1. Simply visit the Logan Remote website and select your airline, flight number, or destination (note that currently only Delta and JetBlue Airways passengers are eligible). You then choose whether you would like additional services, such as round-trip travel by shuttle back to the Framingham facility (costing an additional $9) or parking (a reasonable $7 per day). This is significantly cheaper than BOS, which costs between $29 and $46 per day.
The final step in making a reservation is to enter your personal and credit card information. Passengers will also be advised that they will be required to present a Real ID-compliant identification card or valid passport to pass through TSA security screening at the remote terminal.
At the Framingham facility before departure, passengers can also check in with the airline, print boarding passes and drop off baggage just like they would at BOS. Your checked baggage will be delivered to your final destination, eliminating the need to lug large suitcases through the airport check-in area.
The shuttle bus seats approximately 55 people and runs every hour to BOS and every 20 minutes from the airport. Reservations are accepted from 90 minutes before departure to 90 days in advance. However, Massport, the public authority that owns and operates major transport and maritime facilities, including BOS and remote facilities, is encouraging passengers to book early as seats will be limited during the pilot phase and adjustments are likely to be made as the program gets into full swing. Expansion is also possible, said Peter Howe, Massport’s deputy road manager.
“It’s going to be more seamless and convenient for passengers and the traveling public,” Howe told CBS News. “We want to see how this pilot goes and see what we learn from it and how we can expand.”
In some online forums, travelers expressed varying opinions about the upcoming service. While some people welcome the opportunity to hand over their checked baggage early in their trip and get much cheaper airport parking fees, others are concerned about the possibility of losing their luggage or encountering heavy shuttle bus traffic on the way to the plane.
Expanding pilot program
Expansion of remote screening facilities to other hubs is also planned. The concept, known in TSA parlance as the Refundable Screening Service Program (RSSP), has already been implemented at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), both of which are most frequented by celebrities and high-net-worth travelers to avoid crowded terminals. TSA has approved a total of eight facilities for the RSSP pilot program.
In addition to the new remote terminal in Boston, TSA recently announced other major news regarding a new public-private partnership called TSA Gold+, which aims to streamline security processes by allowing private investment at the airport.
But some critics point to TSA’s lack of transparency regarding the program, among other concerns about conflicts of interest in privatizing government services meant to protect public safety.