My TSA for iPhone – Review
Category:Â Travel
Price:Â Free
TiP Rating:Â 3/5
Release Date:Â Updated June 22, 2011
Current Version:Â 1.2
Seller:Â Transportation Security Administration
Rated:Â 4+
Requirements:Â Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.
Link to app
App Store Description: My TSA gives you 24/7 access to information that passengers frequently request from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). My TSA provides real-time operating status for U.S. airports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); a tool to find out if an item is allowed in your carry-on or checked baggage; information on ID requirements, liquids rules, and tips for packing and dressing to speed through security.
Summary: My TSA offers current security checkpoint wait times, general airport conditions, a traveler’s guide and a database to search what’s acceptable to carry on the plane.
Review: Traveling usually gives me a lot of unwarranted anxiety, and it’s not because I have a slight fear of flying. I’m more nervous about navigating airports, making it through security hassle-free and getting through lines in time to board my flight. The My TSA app doesn’t take away the anxiety, but it does make a good effort to minimize it. Key features include current security checkpoint wait times, airport conditions (read: delays), a searchable database of items you can/cannot bring onto a plane and a traveler’s guide.
One of the most stressful parts of traveling is waiting in the security checkpoint line. I really like that the app makes an effort to alert you to wait times at various airports, but I wish that they were updated by TSA themselves instead of the users. Current wait times are entered by people standing in line, so the time you see might not be accurate. I checked LAX today and the last wait time was posted yesterday at 11:30 AM. That’s not very helpful today.
The other super stressful thing about traveling is the possibility of a delay, or worse, a canceled flight. My TSA does a pretty good job displaying current delays and provides a reason why. Users can look at individual airports in a list, but I prefer viewing the map. Obviously, the green dots represent a pleasant travel experience. Unfortunately, what the app is missing is flight-specific data. The only information provided is a general time/cause for the airport and not airlines specifically. It would be nice to see this integrated in a future version.
The “Can I Bring?” tab is genius. It allows users to manually search for items they need clarification on. The information just seems to be copied and pasted from other TSA regulation documents, but I like that I don’t have to search through lists and can get immediate feedback on the item.
The traveler’s guide features helpful tips from acceptable forms of ID to do’s and don’ts of packing and dressing for security checkpoints. If you click on the “More” tab, you can also get real-time weather updates for the airport nearest you, as well as your destination city. Additionally, you can get on-time performance reports for any airline.
My TSA might not take the headache out of traveling, but it’s a step in the right direction. I’ll be curious to see how they integrate user’s feedback over the next couple of months. With more specific flight and wait time information, this could easily become a powerful travel app.
