TSA PreCheck, questions

[rs1228]

I have an appointment tomorrow for the processing of my TSA PreCheck.

What should I expect? Fingerprints, another ugly mugshot picture for the ID?


Tell me what you love about having it.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Easy process. Worth the minor effort and expense. Makes life easier thru TSA Safe travels.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I don’t know what’s different between pre-check and global entry.

for global entry there were fingerprints, a picture and a couple of questions from CBP officers. The whole thing took less than 15 minutes.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I didn’t receive an ID when I registered for TSA precheck. I was issued a number that I enter whenever I make a flight reservation. Then my precheck status is indicated on my
boarding pass. The appointment is easy. It just involves fingerprints and a review of your documents. Just a warning though. You may not always automatically get precheck even if you’re registered. There’s a random process that makes people occasionally go through the regular line. It’s never happened to me, but my friend’s daughter has had it happen twice. They don’t pull you out of the precheck line. It’s just not printed on your boarding pass. It’s rare, but it happens.

 

[low-key]

i know you could get a vape pen filled with THC past them

 

[disneychrista]

i know you could get a vape pen filled with THC past them

Dare I ask HOW you know this?

 

[TLSnell1981]

i know you could get a vape pen filled with THC past them

Now you are on "the list."

 

[_19disnA]

Signed up for PreCheck back sometime in 2019. The TSA office was at the local airport so I stopped there when returning from a trip. Maybe depends on the airport, but at this location those of us with an appointment got to go ahead of those who just showed up unscheduled or showed up late for their appointment. As I recall, they scan certain documents you are required to bring and then take fingerprints. There is no ID issued similar to what someone else mentioned above. About 2 weeks later I got a letter or email (can't recall which) that said I was 'approved' and provide me what they call a "known traveler #". You have to input that # on your airline reservation. With some airlines you can setup a profile and it always stays on the record. That is what enables you to get the pre-check indicator on your boarding pass. Has worked fine for me, but obviously haven't flown lately due to covid.

I believe the # is good for 5 years and then has to be renewed.

 

[EACarlson]

Fingerprints and verifying your ID and information provided.
What I love about having PreCheck. Taking my family of four through TSA at MSP on Black Friday in 14 minutes compared to the 90+ for the regular line. Not having to stop going through security at MDW. Not having to take out my electronics, medications at the checkpoint. My kids not having to take off their shoes. Being able to go through the metal detector most places rather than the mm wave machines.

 

[kdonnel]

i know you could get a vape pen filled with THC past them

It is not part of their mandate to look for drugs.

 

[aggiedog]

If you go overseas ever, the Global Entry is worth it because getting back into the country is lightning fast - scan your passport and walk thru. Either way, being pre-check is great. Love the faster lines, not taking off shoes, dismantling my carry on bag, etc. There are times, though, when I've flown and pre-check wasn't available. Early morning and late night particularly. Then it's back to the bad old days of regular security.

 

[NannyBeBe]

My daughter did this. She loves it. The process to get it was not difficult; no picture.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We did both this and Global Entry because to do both at once is both cheaper and easier.
It made flying so much easier and if it makes law enforcements job easier too, so be it, just record the number so you have it when you travel there is a prompt I think - it's been a while.

 

[fly girl]

If you go overseas get Global Entry. Worth every penny.

 

[disneyseniors]

I don't think this will help you, but.,,,................................
We only fly once or twice a year, and one time we saw the tsa precheck on the corner of our tickets. We didn't know what it was? We asked at the ticket desk, and she said we were on the tsaprecheck list and told us about the precheck line, no shoes removed, etc.
We were very surprised, to say the least, LOL.
We did not apply for it, did not even know about it.
We are not famous, rich, or government officials. We are just senior citizens. I wonder if we got the tsaprecheck for free because of our ages???? still don't know why, but am happy to have it.

 

[JimMIA]

I don't think this will help you, but.,,,................................
We only fly once or twice a year, and one time we saw the tsa precheck on the corner of our tickets. We didn't know what it was? We asked at the ticket desk, and she said we were on the tsaprecheck list and told us about the precheck line, no shoes removed, etc.
We were very surprised, to say the least, LOL.
We did not apply for it, did not even know about it.
We are not famous, rich, or government officials. We are just senior citizens. I wonder if we got the tsaprecheck for free because of our ages???? still don't know why, but am happy to have it.

If you had frequent flyer status with an airline, that might have caused it. I have AAdvantage Gold for Life with American and TSA precheck has been on my account since the inception of the program. I never applied for Pre-check.

Pre-check is very convenient, but as others have said, there may be occasional flights where it is randomly missing.

I recently got Global Entry and Pre-check is included with GE.

 

[KristaZ]

I love precheck. It's amazing at busy airports to breeze right through. I have several times been "randomly selected" at the metal detector to have to go through the body scanners - but it just entailed having to walk through that in addition to the metal detector. I've never had to leave the precheck line or removed additional things from my carry on. I love that I get to leave all the liquids and electronics in my bag. In airports where the precheck line hasn't been open yet, I've always been given a card that says I have precheck, so even though I'm in the regular line (usually at very slow times anyway), I don't have to take anything out or remove shoes or jacket and get to just go through the metal detector.

 

[china mom]

We were very surprised, to say the least, LOL.
We did not apply for it, did not even know about it.
We are not famous, rich, or government officials. We are just senior citizens. I wonder if we got the tsaprecheck for free because of our ages???? still don't know why, but am happy to have it.

It is not related to your age... just a random surprise.

 

[_19disnA]

TSA pre-check seems to randomly appear sometimes when traveling even if you haven't signed up and paid for this. Happened to me a few times in past. Have no idea the criteria they use for this.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I don't think this will help you, but.,,,................................
We only fly once or twice a year, and one time we saw the tsa precheck on the corner of our tickets. We didn't know what it was? We asked at the ticket desk, and she said we were on the tsaprecheck list and told us about the precheck line, no shoes removed, etc.
We were very surprised, to say the least, LOL.
We did not apply for it, did not even know about it.
We are not famous, rich, or government officials. We are just senior citizens. I wonder if we got the tsaprecheck for free because of our ages???? still don't know why, but am happy to have it.

TSA pre-check seems to randomly appear sometimes when traveling even if you haven't signed up and paid for this. Happened to me a few times in past. Have no idea the criteria they use for this.

There was a time, when PreChek was a "new thing" they were trying to get people to do it. So they would randomly select people to get it. We've gotten it a couple of times. But not all the time. We don't fly very often, about every other year or so. One time I got it, but my husband didn't. So I just went through the regular line with him, but didn't have to remove shoes or jacket, and skipped the scanner.