Wellness

[adelle38]

Well, that certainly broadens your career options.

[AspenGrove]

Bonnie, this is not that uncommon. There are various reasons for fingerprints to become really faint as a person ages. There is newer technology that can read the ridges in tissue on at least one finger on a person's hand.

I actually went through the TSA-precheck approval thing last month and had this very discussion when making smalltalk with the person doing my application and taking my prints. She said that because "dirtier" prints help, there is some sort of solution they can use to make at least one fingerprint readable. I imagine that various government, etc. agencies are aware of the newer technologies out there. You might want to do some research to learn more before you head to TSA-precheck.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

On 6/1/2014 lolakimono said:

OP is saying (per my understanding) that she no longer HAS fingerprints, as the skin has worn away, and thus cannot be "fingerprinted" for things like background checks required for TSA.

Ahhh....(V-8 smack to the forehead)!

[bonnielu]

Thanks, I guess I should have been more specific. I have no finger ridges, lines, texture, etc. I HAVE NO FINGERPRINTS TO DISCOVER OR PRINT. I think at my age a life of crime is a bit tooo late but it would be a good selling point if someone wanted to hire me to do a bank job.... only kidding.

I want the Pre TSA thing (not sure the name) but I am not near a major city and not sure where the closest place is to do this application in person. I am 65 miles from DC, 65 miles from Baltimore, 65 miles or more from Harrisburg. I just am not close to anything and will call tomorrow. I really don't need the PRE but I was thinking it would be nice to have it.

As for aging, yep. But if that is all that is missing or wrong, happy day! I can live with that!

[Ebonysmom123]

If you cannot provide fingerprints or be fingerprinted, TSA has procedures in place to support individuals that may be unable to provide fingerprints. TSA’s enrollment centers are able to accommodate unique circumstances to complete the application process. bonnielu

[AspenGrove]

bonnie, I knew what you meant; I was trying to explain that newer technologies can find normally undetectable ridges, line, textures that would not show up in a regular fingerprint attempt. Ones that the human eye and conventional fingerprint machines can't detect. So, if you are interested, you can google to learn more about it.

Getting the TSA precheck was the smartest thing I've done in years! Just two weeks ago, a colleague and I were traveling together. She didn't have the precheck. We decided to time how long it took each of us to get through security. It was a normal weekday, no holiday or anything out of the ordinary. I walked straight through precheck. I timed it as 1 minute, 37 seconds! She went through the regular security. It took her 25 minutes, 17 seconds. Pretty significant difference ... not to mention the joy I experience of never again having to remove shoes, jacket, take out laptop and liquids, etc. Just like the good ol' days!

[bonnielu]

Our pre-check centers are 65 miles away in any direction. The one I want to go to is rural and has limited hours. I am wondering if this particular one will be able to help me out. I have a passport, drivers license and a copy of a birth certificate... I hope I don't have to go original because I am not sure how long that will take writing or calling Washington DC. I just hope I don't waste the $85. Hubby will pass easily. He has fingerprints. All I know is I am not a criminal, YET. Might reconsider with my newly found asset.

[HUENEME GIRL]

Bonnielu, I have the same problem. I discovered it when I went for my notary license. After 3 tries they sent the documents to Sacramento and I was approved. I would guess the TSA would do the same if you have the documents to show you tried several times. I was also told that taking prints by hand instead of machine will benefit some prints.

[AspenGrove]

On 6/1/2014 bonnielu said:

Our pre-check centers are 65 miles away in any direction. The one I want to go to is rural and has limited hours. I am wondering if this particular one will be able to help me out. I have a passport, drivers license and a copy of a birth certificate... I hope I don't have to go original because I am not sure how long that will take writing or calling Washington DC. I just hope I don't waste the $85. Hubby will pass easily. He has fingerprints. All I know is I am not a criminal, YET. Might reconsider with my newly found asset.

bonnie, we all have copies of birth certificates. The originals remain in the hospital. (At least that's what happened when I was born and generations before me.) A copy is what I brought, along with my driver's license. That's all they needed. I had my passport with me, but they didn't even ask to see it. Also, if they don't approve you, they won't take your money. It's that simple.

[golding76]

In the mid-1990s, I substitute taught in Fairfax County, Va., and had to have my fingerprints rolled. Before my children were born, I needed a security clearance for my IT firm job -- and had them taken then.

As a federal employee, I have had to have my fingerprints taken as well. The most recent roll was two months ago.

Anyone who is with a federal agency must submit to this, I believe. (I am not an expert on this.)

By the way, a polygraph test -- plus holding at least a first-level security clearance -- is required for many tech jobs in the Metro DC area at this time. It is almost impossible to get in the door because no one wants to pay for your clearance any longer; you must have it to be interviewed. When my security clearance was conducted in the late '70s, I was informed that it cost about $10,000. That was then. Who knows how expensive it is to do one now! The agents even questioned my relatives, through marriage, on the island of Crete. I was stunned to learn that news.