topic Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee? in Community Chat

TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Suhse — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 10:53:56 GMT

Who else has participated in this, and does it not make airport check in, so much faster and easier?

Most of my flying lately, has been regional and on Alaska Airlines. I'm usually selected for TSA Precheck, and it means going thru the much shorter, faster precheck line, not having to take anything off, basically, do nothing but put your carryon items on the belt and walk thru.

It's Great! My home airport is not a large hub, it's helpful there, but, even more so, of course, in larger airports.

I haven't paid to be in the program, I'm assuming Alaska selects participants, somewhat randomly. I fly often, but, not enough, or far enough, to make elite status, so, I'm not sure what their criteria is, or, if other airlines are doing the same thing.

Whatever, I'll happily take being selected. The only downside; the dirty looks you get from other flyers, who are not precheck and are bogged down in those lines. But, I can live with that

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

esmeraldagooch — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 11:15:21 GMT

I've had this 3 out of 4 times I have flown lately. Usually either my husband or I get this. No one cares if you walk past them.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Chalcedony — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 12:28:52 GMT

I've been a part of the program almost since it was introduced, and it's great. I do wish that TSA would recognize that, now that they've opened it up to more people, they need more checkpoints at the larger airports. The line at Dulles can sometimes be quite long. I also wish that those who are new to the program would review and understand the rules before getting to the checkpoint. It bogs the process down when people are standing around asking what to do. I guess I just got spoiled in the last three years.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Financialgrl — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 12:36:49 GMT

On 8/16/2014 Chalcedony said: I've been a part of the program almost since it was introduced, and it's great. I do wish that TSA would recognize that, now that they've opened it up to more people, they need more checkpoints at the larger airports. The line at Dulles can sometimes be quite long. I also wish that those who are new to the program would review and understand the rules before getting to the checkpoint. It bogs the process down when people are standing around asking what to do. I guess I just got spoiled in the last three years.

Use Dulles to fly a lot and usually with 2 friends. Last time we flew, 2 friends were TSA approved, I was not and I got thru the regular lines faster than they did. Sometimes it works great, other times, not as much.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

FrostyBabe — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:22:51 GMT

I've had precheck for awhile and the majority of the time it works the way it's supposed to and is great. My home airport is quite small and has neither precheck or elite/priority lines but it's never taken me longer than 10 minutes to clear security there anyway. I've found it most useful at SRQ. Not a big airport, but one with vastly more leisure than business travelers and lots of wheelchairs. The regular security line there can be very slow and with precheck I'm through quickly. Large airports like BOS, DTW, LGA, etc seem to be hit or miss. If things get backed up, they just start funneling people everywhere and sometimes the regular lines are shorter.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

terrier3 — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 13:59:22 GMT

I got this on a flight out of Orlando...I felt like I hit the jackpot!

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Qwackertoo — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 14:22:46 GMT

Last couple of flights . . . was selected for this . . . WONDERFUL.

But I did see a link on Southwest the other day where you can sign up for this but you had to pay a fee . . . seems like it was 80.00 . . . I backed out of the page after reading that . . . and that IF you were NOT approved you didn't get your 80.00 bucks or whatever the amount was back.

That said, I'll take my chances for the free pre-approved flights. I have to get there 1 1/2 hours or so depending on the airport early anyway, stand in line or sitting in the waiting area. Six of one. Half a dozen of the other.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Madisson — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 16:32:53 GMT

I've had the TSA precheck the last several times I've flown also. I don't know how they pick people for it. Maybe they do a background check on you. Who knows? I like it though. I hate taking off my shoes at the airport.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

muttmom — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 17:26:42 GMT

I do not understand how random people are selected. Is it strictly by appearance? If so, we know looks are deceiving. A lovely mother with adorable child could be as dangerous as the man who speaks with a heavy accent.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Chalcedony — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 18:51:36 GMT

I too would like to know how people are being randomly selected. I got into the program using my Global Entry number, which required a background check, interview, and fingerprinting. If passengers are being granted PreCheck without the background check, it seems to defeat the purpose of the program.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

muttmom — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 18:53:44 GMT

On 8/16/2014 Chalcedony said: I too would like to know how people are being randomly selected. I got into the program using my Global Entry number, which required a background check, interview, and fingerprinting. If passengers are being granted PreCheck without the background check, it seems to defeat the purpose of the program.

That was my question, too. My husband needed an extensive background check.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Elstongunn — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 19:00:22 GMT

I have been chosen for PreCheck, and I have no idea why!

I was asked one time to take my Danskos off because one agent said they had a metal piece in the sole (?). No biggie to me.

I was so used to opening up my laptop bag for scanning that the one TSA agent and I had a very brief "struggle" on the line...me trying to unzip it and lay it flat, and the agent trying to close it saying, "You don't have to do that"!

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Elstongunn — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 19:02:05 GMT

On 8/16/2014 Chalcedony said: I too would like to know how people are being randomly selected. I got into the program using my Global Entry number, which required a background check, interview, and fingerprinting. If passengers are being granted PreCheck without the background check, it seems to defeat the purpose of the program.

I've NEVER had a background check done on me.

Well....not that I KNOW of, anyway!

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Madisson — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 20:14:09 GMT

I read an article on the internet that said possibly if you have ever had an employment background check or been fingerprinted, you may be given TSA Precheck status...but I think that was just an educated guess. Later in the article it said the TSA will not release the criteria they use to give people TSA Precheck status. I was at one time a Federal employee. I wonder if that helped me get the preapproval when I've flown lately.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Qwackertoo — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 23:52:23 GMT

On 8/16/2014 Madisson said:
I read an article on the internet that said possibly if you have ever had an employment background check or been fingerprinted, you may be given TSA Precheck status...but I think that was just an educated guess. Later in the article it said the TSA will not release the criteria they use to give people TSA Precheck status. I was at one time a Federal employee. I wonder if that helped me get the preapproval when I've flown lately.

Possibility for sure. I had a "Secret" security clearance at one time. Just plain secret, not TOP Secret and a background check & investigation was performed.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

LaterGator — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 02:31:31 GMT

I usually get TSA pre-check too. I did work for the Feds and the State at one time but its been so long ago, I'm sure the records are gone. Also, I have been fingerprinted too but that was like 45 years ago.

I am disabled and use a cane and carry an oxygen generator. I always thought that would have been the reason. At this point, I have no idea.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

lulu2 — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 02:34:18 GMT

My husband had pre-check status but if we travel together he does not use it. (unfortunately he cannot bring me along with him)

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

Madisson — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 14:29:51 GMT

On 8/16/2014 LaterGator said:
I usually get TSA pre-check too. I did work for the Feds and the State at one time but its been so long ago, I'm sure the records are gone. Also, I have been fingerprinted too but that was like 45 years ago.

I am disabled and use a cane and carry an oxygen generator. I always thought that would have been the reason. At this point, I have no idea.

LaterGator, I don't know how old you are, but I read online that "elderly" (whatever age they consider that to be), are automatically moved to the precheck lane. Unfortunately, the screeners cannot always tell a person's age just by looking.

There is also a phone number for disabled passengers to call (TSA Cares toll free 1-855-787-2227) in case you do not get precheck status. You are supposed to call 72 hours in advance of your flight. I do not think it gives you precheck status, but just explains what you should expect during screening.

Once you are fingerprinted, you are always in the Federal system, so if that is one of the criteria they use, that might be helping you. I know I was a Federal employee and fingerprinted 35 years ago, and I was told once that my fingerprints were still in the system.

Also, I don't know if you are in a wheelchair, but my mother uses one at the airport. When she travels with us, she is automatically moved to the head of the line (or sometimes to the precheck lane). They usually let us go along with her if we do not automatically have precheck status.

Re: TSA PreCheck, How Do I Love Thee?

LaterGator — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:44:45 GMT

Hi Madisson. I'm not in a wheelchair all the time but I do use one in the airports because it's too far to walk for me. I can't breathe well. Security does look at our driver's licenses and our DOB is on them so I guess they could figure it out. I must be flagged in ""the system"". It's really the only time in my life that I get to go to the head of the line. LOL