Airport Security Guide

Atlantic City (ACY) Security Tips

ACY has 1 security checkpoint with TSA PreCheck lanes. Security is busiest Roughly 5–8 AM and 4–7 PM, aligned with ACY's limited daily departure banks. Use the Leave-By Time calculator to fold the modeled ACY wait forecast, your drive, and gate-walk into one exact departure time.

How many security checkpoints does ACY have?

ACY has 1 security checkpoint across 1 terminal (Main). TSA PreCheck dedicated lanes are available, giving members a faster, bin-free screening experience. PreCheck is open at the main checkpoints during regular screening hours, though an individual lane can close off-peak.

When is ACY security busiest?

ACY security lines are typically longest during Roughly 5–8 AM and 4–7 PM, aligned with ACY's limited daily departure banks. Outside those windows, wait times drop substantially — check the ACY wait forecast for the current picture before you head out. General guidance:

• Domestic flights: arrive at least 2 hours before departure; 2.5 hours during peak periods.
• International flights: arrive at least 3 hours before departure to cover check-in, security, and any customs pre-clearance.

Not sure when to leave? The Leave-By Time calculator uses the modeled ACY wait forecast, real-time traffic, and your gate-walk distance to give you an exact departure time. Also see how early to arrive at the airport for a full breakdown by flight type.

Which ACY security checkpoint is fastest?

ACY operates a single main checkpoint, so all passengers enter the same security lane. TSA PreCheck is the primary tool for faster throughput here — members keep shoes, belts, and laptops packed.

CLEAR is not currently available at ACY. TSA PreCheck at ACY remains the best single upgrade for reducing your security wait.

What are the top ACY airport security tips?

These tips are specific to Atlantic City (ACY) and verified against current airport configuration:

• ACY has just one TSA checkpoint serving all 10 gates, so there's no 'better' checkpoint to pick — but because the airport is small, security rarely takes more than a few minutes outside of the morning and early-evening departure banks.
• TSA PreCheck lanes are available at ACY, but there is no CLEAR biometric lane as of this writing.
• ACY runs a limited schedule with only a handful of daily departures (Allegiant Air and Breeze Airways), so lines can briefly spike right before each bank of flights rather than staying busy all day — check your flight's scheduled bank when timing your arrival.
• As of February 1st, travelers without an acceptable REAL ID-compliant form of ID face a $45 fee at the checkpoint, so double-check your ID before heading to the airport.
• If you lose an item at the checkpoint, ACY's Security page routes you to a Chargerback claim form rather than general Airport Customer Service.

Does ACY have TSA PreCheck?

Yes — ACY has TSA PreCheck lanes at its security checkpoints. PreCheck members keep shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops, and 3-1-1 liquids packed, and pass through a dedicated screening lane. Membership costs $85–$100 for five years and includes a Known Traveler Number (KTN) you add to every booking.

See live PreCheck wait times and current lane status on the ACY TSA PreCheck page. That page also covers which terminals have a PreCheck lane, enrollment locations, and how PreCheck compares to CLEAR and Global Entry at ACY.

ACY does not host a Global Entry enrollment center or Enrollment on Arrival, so the interview has to be completed at another location — but membership still pays off here, since Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck for the ACY PreCheck lanes. Details on Global Entry at ACY.

ACY security at a glance

See also: Live ACY TSA wait times · TSA PreCheck at ACY · How early to arrive at the airport