TSA Fees More Than Double Overnight

The days of a $2.50 security fee for nonstop flights and $5 for connecting flights are behind us. For any flight booked on or after 12 a.m. EDT today, July 21, travelers will pay a flat security fee of $5.60. As of this morning, layovers exceeding four hours count as a separate flight, meaning you can expect to pay another $5.60.

This means a roundtrip direct flight now comes with a $11.20 security fee attached. A roundtrip flight with one four-hour layover now comes with $16.80 in fees. The same layover rule applies to international flights and flights to Hawaii or Alaska that include stopovers at least 12 hours apart.

According to an interim final rule to the Federal Registrar, published by the TSA last month, the hike in fees aims to “offset TSA costs for providing civil aviation security services, after stipulated amounts are applied to reduction of the federal deficit.”

The TSA cited the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, which Congress amended last December to allow the fee hikes. The changes are being specifically implemented to the September 11th Security Fee that has been tacked onto all tickets since October 1, 2003. This government-imposed fee pays for training, salaries and benefits for the personnel who maintain airport security. A portion also goes to the Federal Air Marshal program and the Aviation Security Capital Fund.

Since its announcement last month, the increase has been heavily criticized. The TSA invited fliers to share their feedback to the Federal Docket Management System. Disgruntled fliers have since posted over 400 comments on the docket’s Federal eRulemaking page.

“The cost of TSA measures, not just in the fees we pay the TSA, but in lost time and productivity for travelers and airlines, has been exorbitant, and it’s gone beyond illogical to becoming unconscionable,” Kate Johnson commented. “It is, as many people have said, security theater, but it’s unbearably expensive theater.”

Patrick Riehl also commented that the TSA “only succeeds in humiliating the elderly, scaring children and making all travelers feel like criminal suspects.”

Some commenters have suggested that the higher fee should be considered a tax since a portion goes to the general fund. James Cartmill went so far as to blame House Republicans who previously pledged not to raise taxes. “It’s all a very expensive fleecing of consumers, and now the TSA fee will become another thing to be cynical about and add to the cost of travel,” Cartmill commented.

Want to share your thoughts on the new fees with the TSA? You have until August 19 to submit comments for consideration. Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulmaking Portal, by mail or in person to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001. You can also submit your comments by fax to 1-202-493-2251.