TSA Precheck

preGoing through security at the airport is right up there on my list with going to the dentist.  I like the result, but getting through the process isn’t the most pleasant thing.  Going through the airport security with children in tow is even worse.  Taking your laptop out of your bag, taking off shoes, coats, and at the same time trying to talk your kids through the process can make for a hectic experience.  Well, the Transportation Security Administration provides a solution to the problems that they have caused!  Its called TSA Precheck (along with its big brother, Global Entry).  For $85, you get entry into the TSA Precheck program for five years, which lets your avoid a great deal of the hassle of going through airport security.

TSA Precheck entitles you to enter special lines at most airports that have greatly reduced wait times.  You can also keep on your shoes, light jackets, and belts (although mine always sets off the metal detector, so I just take it off).  How can you get into the TSA Precheck program?  There is an online application to fill out here.  After you fill out the application, you can schedule an appointment at one of the enrollment centers.  Once your appointment time arrives, just show up with a payment method to pay the $85 fee and proper documentation (we used our passports).  Your fingerprints will be digitally scanned and you’ll answer a few questions.  Once you finish, they will give you a method to check your application status.  I think we waiting a few weeks until we were given our known traveler numbers, which give you entry into TSA Precheck.

Certain things will make you ineligible for the program, including giving incomplete or false information.  If you’ve had trouble with the legal system before, you might not be eligible for the program.  You will also must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident.

Once you’ve obtained your known traveler number, you will want to enter it into all your frequent flyer programs.  Right now, TSA Precheck works on the following airlines:

  • Air Canada
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • JetBlue Airways
  • OneJet
  • Southwest Airlines
  • Sun Country
  • United Airlines
  • Virgin America
  • WestJet

After you’ve entered the number, your boarding passes will print out with the TSA Pre symbol (or words to that effect) and you can enter the TSA Pre line at the security check point (or located close nearby).  If it does not, you can provide the number to an airline representative (in person or over the phone) and they will add it to your reservation and reprint your boarding pass.  I always print my boarding pass (or view it) as soon as I’m eligible to check in.  If the TSA Pre symbol isn’t on my boarding pass, I call the airline to get my known traveler number added.

Family members age 12 and under can go through the TSA Pre line with a parent or guardian if the parent or guardian is TSA Precheck eligible.  If they are 13 or older, they will need to go through the regular security lines.  We signed our older daughter up for the program when she was 12.  Our younger daughter will also get enrolled when she is 12.  Right now, she can go through the line with us.

The TSA Precheck program has saved us a lot of time at airport security as well as making for a much more manageable process of going through the security line when traveling.  It does cost $85, but that is good for five years in the program.  We’ve used the program when traveling as a family for vacation as well as individually for work travel.   It is definitely a worthwhile cost in our mind if you fly more than once a year, especially with young children.  If you are planning on going overseas, you should instead consider the Global Entry program, which gives you expedited screening through the customs process.  We will discuss this in a future post.

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