Central Oregon travelers will have a chance this fall to enroll in the federal government’s expedited airport screening program without leaving the region.

Two sign-up events are planned. One will be hosted by Summit Bank on Sept. 24 and 25. The other will be held Oct. 9 through 18, excluding the weekend, at Redmond Airport.

This is the first time the Transportation Security Administration has made Precheck enrollment available in Central Oregon, Redmond Airport Director Zach Bass said.

Enough people who use Redmond Airport have enrolled elsewhere, so the airport added a separate queue for Precheck travelers, Bass said. When the TSA held a similar event at the Eugene Airport this year, close to 700 people signed up, he said.

“I’m actually the first person signed up,” Bass said. “I’ve been meaning to do it for years.” While security screening at Redmond Airport is usually quick, Bass said Precheck helps avoid lines in bigger airports.

To qualify, travelers must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and have identification documents. They start the application process online and then complete it in person. Approved applicants receive a “known traveler number,” which they use when making airline reservations. Then they can use Precheck lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports to avoid taking off shoes, belts and light jackets and removing liquids and laptops from luggage. The $85 fee includes fingerprinting and the registration is good for five years.

The TSA has several permanent enrollment centers in Oregon, including in Roseburg, Portland and North Bend.

Summit Bank decided to host a Precheck enrollment event in Bend after seeing how popular it was in Eugene, said Jenny Bennett, senior vice president of marketing and business development. There are 46 people signed up for appointments at the bank, and the bank will extend its event if demand is high enough, she said.

Applicants must be pre-registered, and there are 360 appointment slots available for the Redmond Airport, Bass said. Appointments will be booked from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., he said.

To make an appointment for either event, visit www.identogo.com/locations

— Reporter: 541-617-7860, kmclaughlin@bendbulletin.com