TSA "Pre-Check"

[elycelynne]

I was just wondering how long this is good for? On a trip in November the TSA worker took pity on me and cleared me to go in the pre-check line (where I didn't have to remove my shoes), and I also had it for my return flight.

 

Is this on a "trip only" basis, or does it carry over to other trips?

[CantanaLobo]

Per trip. Random if you get it. You can even have one person on a PNR get TSA Pre and not the other. As the TSA pre site says "no individual will be guaranteed TSA Pre✓™ screening."

[critterchick]

TSA is expanding the program, and I've read that you can apply, or soon will be able to do so, for pre-check for $85, good for 5 years. It doesn't guarantee that you will be able to use the line (TSA includes some element of randomness to enhance security), but if your boarding pass prints out the "TSA PreCheck" symbol, then you are good to go. The fact that you had it coming and going tells me that you already had it on your boarding pass and the TSA agent was directing you to the correct line.:)

 

IMO, if you fly internationally at all, it would make more sense to apply for Global Entry. It's $100 for 5 years, expedites your return at US airports and includes eligibility to use the pre-check line. Still not guaranteed, but good odds.

[kenish]

Even those who are assigned or approved for precheck won't always receive it. And the opposite also happens, as you experienced. Part of any security system is randomness. If someone with precheck clearance was guaranteed to always receive the streamlined security process it would be a big vulnerability.

 

I'm approved for precheck...last month at San Juan, a TSA agent in the precheck lane had an iPad with a "randomizer" app. You touched the screen and could proceed through precheck or were diverted to the regular queue. Guess which one I got? (Fortunately I had plenty of spare time)

Edited December 18, 2013 by kenish

[jsmeeker]

I've had pre-check eligibility for a while. And I have had a very high success rate in actually getting it for my flights. Most recently, DFW-LHR. Before that, LAS-DFW, DFW-LAS, BOS-DFW, and DFW-LAS. Only leg I didn't do pre-check was LHR-DFW. :) But at least it was FastTrack. and about 1000% more pleasant than standard TSA in the USA.

 

As was pointed out, they HAVE been re-directing some non-PreCheck enrolled or eligible people over to PreCheck lanes in certain airports. So, maybe you'll just get lucky again on some future flight.

[slidergirl]

I believe the TSA is being forced to try to go back to the way things used to be a little, rather than the hysteria-based system we have now. More and more people will be herded to the "pre-check" type of line and less will be forced to the MMW "nude-o-scope" where you have to remove just about everything and take out your laptops, stupid 3-1-1 bag, etc. I believe the intended goal is to eventually have 85% of people considered "trusted" enough to do the minimum scanning.

That said, getting ahead of the curve and buying the $85 TSA (if you never plan to fly internationally) or the $100 Global Entry (even if you just THINK you may fly internationally in the next 5 years) is worth it to help bump up your chances of just getting the good ole' mag & bag…

I've got GE. So far, the only time I haven't had Pre-Check was 1) when an airport had no PC line and 2) just before they changed the rule to allow PC on international segments. But, I did have expedited screening with my Business class ticket and I got to bypass the Immigration and Customs lines and just go to GE self-serve kiosks…

[silkismom]

MIA----ugh, we came in from Montego Bay, not only did we have to walk almost the distance to Ft. Lauderdale for immigration (got thru that fast since we have Global Entry) then walk another long trip carrying our bags (no free carts) to connecting flts, then security again, NO TSA pre ck there, even tho our tickets said it and have Global Entry cards. That place is a 3rd world country!!

[Shorex]

At SEA a few months ago TSA waved about 30 people over to pre-check just before I lined up. Problem is those people didn't know to leave computer in the bag, leave kippie in the bag, leave jackets on, and keep shoes on. Pre-check became slower than the regular line because people didn't know how to use it and TSA wasn't helping.

[waterbug123]

NO TSA pre ck there, even tho our tickets said it and have Global Entry cards.

 

Even if you have GE, and even if PreCheck is printed on your boarding pass, you are not guaranteed to get it. Some airports/terminals/concourses/security checkpoints simply don't have it, or they don't make it available during non-peak hours. Additionally, there is a randomness whereby some who have it will still be selected to go through the regular line.

 

Pre-check became slower than the regular line because people didn't know how to use it and TSA wasn't helping.

 

Shocking...NOT.

[FlyerTalker]

Also...even when there is Pre-Check, even when the TSA website says the lane is to be open, the local supervisor can close it down at their own discretion. Happened to me at PHX.

 

What's the TSA version of Caveat Emptor?

[jsmeeker]

At SEA a few months ago TSA waved about 30 people over to pre-check just before I lined up. Problem is those people didn't know to leave computer in the bag, leave kippie in the bag, leave jackets on, and keep shoes on. Pre-check became slower than the regular line because people didn't know how to use it and TSA wasn't helping.

 

I've experienced the same at LAS.

 

Kinda takes away the benefit of PreCheck for those that actually have it.

[waterbug123]

Also...even when there is Pre-Check, even when the TSA website says the lane is to be open, the local supervisor can close it down at their own discretion. Happened to me at PHX.

 

What's the TSA version of Caveat Emptor?

 

It would appear to be, "nanny nanny boo boo, you don't get to go through."

:D

[Brighton Line]

All based on crowds, though this wasn't precheck as they don't have it at LGA Central Terminal Concourse A they have a priority line which at times can be longer then the normal line. Seriously longer, snaked back to the check in counters when there are only say 8 people on the standard line.

TSA does take about a 7 to 1 ratio of priority over non and then you get the escorted late comers to the head of the line since their flight is just about to leave.

Last time I flew on Friday the non-priority line was much faster even with taking off my shoes and having my head "touched". (At 6'8" my head is out of the range of Millimeter Wave but not the Backscatter).

Go figure

[cruisinabout]

Trying to decide whether or not it's worth the effort to apply for DH and myself.

Have any of you with either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry approval been waved through without having to remove your CPAP machine and have it swabbed.

 

Thanks

Edited December 20, 2013 by cruisinabout

[ducklite]

This is why I have retained my Clear membership in addition to being invited into Pre-Chek and having paid for GE. My home airport is the hell known as MCO. Security lines are typically 30-45 minutes and even Pre-Chek can be ridiculously slow.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[34TigerLily]

Trying to decide whether or not it's worth the effort to apply for DH and myself.

Have any of you with either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry approval been waved through without having to remove your CPAP machine and have it swabbed.

 

Thanks

We have Global Entry and DH always has to remove cpap for extra screening.

[PaulMCO]

Southwest recently joined precheck over the Thanksgiving weekend. My wife was randomly selected.

 

One note I just discovered... Precheck lane allows only 1 laptop in your case. If you have two (like I usually do) - you need to take 1 out.

[elycelynne]

Heck, I was just thrilled that I didn't have to take off my shoes!

[Shak]

TSA is expanding the enrollment centers for PreCheck. You can check your zip code for a center near you now.

 

https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/

 

Shak

[critterchick]

MIA----ugh, we came in from Montego Bay, not only did we have to walk almost the distance to Ft. Lauderdale for immigration (got thru that fast since we have Global Entry) then walk another long trip carrying our bags (no free carts) to connecting flts, then security again, NO TSA pre ck there, even tho our tickets said it and have Global Entry cards. That place is a 3rd world country!!

 

There's no pre-check in the "connecting flight" security screening at MIA, either (unless that's what you're talking about).

 

We had the precheck logo come up on our boarding passes from Quito to LAX via MIA. We asked the gate agent if there was really a pre-check line in Quito and he said yes. There isn't, which came as no real surprise since it's a US program...

[kenish]

CPAP machines, two laptops, wearing a heavy coat, etc. are outside of the precheck "template" that expedites you and others through TSA security. So, precheck may not be a good value if a secondary screening is required.

[RuthC]

CPAP machines, two laptops, wearing a heavy coat, etc. are outside of the precheck "template" that expedites you and others through TSA security.

I wonder if that's flexible. I didn't know about the Pre-check, but did see it on my boarding pass at Ft. Lauderdale recently.

When I got to security, I not only didn't have to take my baggie out, but my CPAP stayed nicely at the bottom of my tote. That was so nice! It's a pain to have to unpack that tote just to get the CPAP back in.