TSA Precheck

[spinner2]

About a year ago I was chewed on a bit by a TSA agent because, unknown to me, I was in the wrong line for passing through security at the airport. She told me that I was Prechecked and should have been in that line. At the time I was ignorant of what Precheck meant but quickly learned I didn't need to remove my shoes or belt and sometimes jacket too.

I had no idea why I'd been included in the program but liked the benefits. Last week my son and I made a trip on Alaska Airlines to Reno to a trade show. I had Precheck, my son didn't. After going through the Reno security I waited for my son to get his shoes and such back on and a TSA agent was nearby and so I asked her if my son could get the Precheck designation too. She told me that it costs $85 and required an application and fingerprints. I thought to myself; boy I never went through any of that. Then she casually mentioned that sometimes the airlines will recommend a frequent flyer member for the program. I told her that must have been my route for entry because I didn't ask for it.

Since then I looked at the TSA website and it explains the various ways a passenger can get the Precheck authorization, with airline recommendation being one. It also says that the Precheck will only be applied when using that airline. But in the last year I've flown on United and Southwest too and I was Prechecked. Next week is a trip to Las Vegas to the Shot Show on Delta but I don't know if I'm Prechecked yet.

Does anyone one else know more about this? I like it, but am still rather ignorant about how and why I got into it. I assume it was through Alaska, since that's the airline I usually fly on and prefer, but it seems odd that neither the airline or TSA informed me of my acceptance.

 

[Barnstormer]

Trusted Traveler is one name for it. U.S. Customs issued it. It not only allows me to go through the gate you describe but also to bypass the sometimes huge Custom's lines when returning from overseas.


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[d.grimm]

I went through the process and my wife got it too.
No idea why. I don't fly commercial much, I don't find it a big timesaver.
Dave

 

[gdafoe]

It has to do with your birthday. But I'm sure they won't admit that. If you watch that line a very high percentage have grey hair.

 

[sjohnson]

My relatively young daughter got it today; my wife and I previously. In all our cases, we had checked in early using the airline cell phone app. I wonder if that has something to do with it.

 

[sj]

The three of us have had it for a year or so. We feel like it was worth the investment. It is awesome in places like Denver. Although flying out of KC yesterday, they were sending a whole line of folks through the pre-check line which made it much slower than usual.

sj

 

[GeeBee]

Trusted Traveler is one name for it. U.S. Customs issued it. It not only allows me to go through the gate you describe but also to bypass the sometimes huge Custom's lines when returning from overseas.


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Trusted Traveler and PreCheck are two different programs. However you can use your TT number to obtain TSA Precheck when you fill in your information on the TSA web page when you make your airline reservation. If you are a member of Global Entry, you can put your GOES number into the TT number box also to obtain PreCheck status.

If you cannot get PreCheck status via your frequent flyer program and you have US Passport do not pay 85 dollars to get PreCheck through the TSA. Pay 15 dollars more and get Global Entry then use your GOES number. In addition you will no longer have to see a Customs agent when you arrive internationally both on the airlines and in other cases .

Your airline did notify you of your PreCheck status. It is printed on your boarding pass, you just did not notice it.

 

[WindOnHisNose]

It has to do with your birthday. But I'm sure they won't admit that. If you watch that line a very high percentage have grey hair.

What if you don't have hair?



Randy

 

[barbwire]

I have had the trusted traveler status for over a year but on my last flight I did not have it, ironically my wife still did? I was told that I would now have to go on line and register and then scheduale a TSA interview at a major airport. As GeeBee said above, get the Global for $100 and it's good for 5 years. Just finished mine and good to go on next flight.

 

[GeeBee]

I am past 5 years and I thought I would have to renew and pay another 100 bucks but myself and others I know have not been asked to pay up for another 5. Guess the government does not care!

 

[bob turner]

Man, I am the opposite of that. Even with four stripes and an ID card, I was almost always pulled aside for further checking. Since I have been retired, one of the nice ladies at my home base told me I was on the TSA's watch list. I can still see my passengers wondering why they did not trust the Captain.

 

[GeeBee]

Hmmmm, KCM now with 4 stripes you don't even go through security except overseas.

 

[nesincg]

Trusted Traveler and PreCheck are two different programs. However you can use your TT number to obtain TSA Precheck when you fill in your information on the TSA web page when you make your airline reservation. If you are a member of Global Entry, you can put your GOES number into the TT number box also to obtain PreCheck status.

If you cannot get PreCheck status via your frequent flyer program and you have US Passport do not pay 85 dollars to get PreCheck through the TSA. Pay 15 dollars more and get Global Entry then use your GOES number. In addition you will no longer have to see a Customs agent when you arrive internationally both on the airlines and in other cases .

Your airline did notify you of your PreCheck status. It is printed on your boarding pass, you just did not notice it.

I'll second all this information. Precheck lasts 5 years. If you go out of the country much, Global Entry is the best deal.

 

[spinner2]

I checked in today on my phone for the Delta flight tomorrow. My wife is going too and she hasn't been on an airline flight in about three years. They gave her the Precheck too.

That's all great but it seems that their Precheck policy on the TSA website isn't the way it actually works. They say when the Precheck is requested by an airline that it is good only for flights on that line. Mine was from Alaska originally and in the last year I will have had it on Alaska, United, Southwest and now Delta.

 

[GeeBee]

The reason why you got it with Delta is because of the Delta, Alaska code sharing agreement.

 

[GaryBedell]

I have had TSA Precheck since it started. I was invited to join through Southwest Airlines. It did not cost me anything. I board a Southwest flight about 100 times a year.

I noticed a large increase in the number of people going through the Precheck line. There were really young, really old, families and teenagers going through the same Precheck line as I was. I asked the TSA agent why that was and she told me it was random in the ticketing process through the airline.

I think the Trusted Traveller program is through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It's more for the international traveller.

 

[scaleram]

LOL!!! If they knew you were going to the SHOT show they would probably flag you for extra security.

 

[cafi19]

You have to look at your ticket. Even though we went through the pre screening for TSA Pre....on my last trip home from Alaska....so some odd reason, Delta did't allow my TSA Pre and I had to go through the normal security line. Not a big deal....but kind of ticked me off since it was just a few months ago that I had gone through the process and paid all the money for it.

The other annoying thing about our last flight was that they were sending non TSA pre people through the same line then pulling people aside for extra screening. I have had this pleasure the last three times I have flown. Seems a waste of extra screening if I am already pre screened...but what do I know.

cafi

 

[Ruffair]

You have to look at your ticket. Even though we went through the pre screening for TSA Pre....on my last trip home from Alaska....so some odd reason, Delta did't allow my TSA Pre and I had to go through the normal security line. Not a big deal....but kind of ticked me off since it was just a few months ago that I had gone through the process and paid all the money for it.

The other annoying thing about our last flight was that they were sending non TSA pre people through the same line then pulling people aside for extra screening. I have had this pleasure the last three times I have flown. Seems a waste of extra screening if I am already pre screened...but what do I know.

cafi

Just guessing here, but might be something to do with quotas.
Also, Since it's inception, the tsa has always changed up what one gets use to.

Don't think they were really picking on you.

Now on the other hand.... people that bring chain saws, flame throwers, and blast matches... they get the 3rd degree

 

[GeeBee]

You have to look at your ticket. Even though we went through the pre screening for TSA Pre....on my last trip home from Alaska....so some odd reason, Delta did't allow my TSA Pre and I had to go through the normal security line. Not a big deal....but kind of ticked me off since it was just a few months ago that I had gone through the process and paid all the money for it.

The other annoying thing about our last flight was that they were sending non TSA pre people through the same line then pulling people aside for extra screening. I have had this pleasure the last three times I have flown. Seems a waste of extra screening if I am already pre screened...but what do I know.

cafi

Did you enter your KTN# on the TSA verification page when you made your reservation or have you added your KTN # to your Delta Skymiles profile?

 

[cafi19]

Sure did. I had TSA pre on the way up and they didn't allow it on my return. Made no sense to me. I add my KTN to every flight. I like the shorter security line and keeping my shoes off....although the last two flights I had to take my shoes off anyway. :-(

cafi

 

[GeeBee]

Which airport did you depart from on the return flight?

 

[cafi19]

Hartford, to MSP to ANC and back the same way.

 

[GeeBee]

Sometimes you just get randomized. A while back I was denied Pre-Check while my wife was good to go. As someone once said, "security is not security if the process is a sure thing every time."

 

[moneyburner]

Sometimes you just get randomized. A while back I was denied Pre-Check while my wife was good to go. As someone once said, "security is not security if the process is a sure thing every time."

Got it in one, GeeBee. You can't keep doing the same thing and expect it to remain secure. I'd be alarmed if they didn't change it from time to time. Witnessed the same philosophy driving through gates at military bases over the last twenty years or so. Some days, they wave you right through, and now and then, they want to see everything in your car or truck, everyone's ID, and you're going to meet one of their dogs. It has to be that way.