Anyone know anything about TSA Precheck?

[MaleficentRN]

Given all the flying the family and I are doing, I'm wondering if this is something we can use.
If I am enrolled through Global Entry, can I just go through a precheck line, or do I have to go through my airline FF program and get a boarding pass that allows me go through precheck?
If I already have made reservations, can I later add my known flyer number and get the precheck boarding pass?? What about the family I bought tickets for? Do they need their own ff# to get precheck? Do you need to belong to a participating ff program at all?
So confused!

 

[bumbershoot]

http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck

TSA Pre" allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs who are flying on participating airlines, to receive expedited screening benefits.

Certain frequent travelers from Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and certain members of CBP's Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS who are U.S. citizens are eligible to participate when they are booked on a participating airline. As of November 15, 2012, Canadian citizens traveling domestically in the United States who are members of NEXUS are also qualified to participate in TSA Pre". In addition, passengers 12 and younger are allowed through TSA Pre" lanes with eligible passengers.

It is not at all airports.

Members of a CBP Trusted Traveler program are assigned a Known Traveler Number, or PASS ID. To participate in TSA Pre", these passengers must place their PASS ID, which can be found in their online account or on the back of their membership card in the top-left corner, in the Known Traveler field while booking their reservation.

TSA has approved several methods to notify passengers of their eligibility for TSA Pre". Passengers traveling on Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways will start to see a TSA Pre" notification on select boarding passes.

And from that paragraph on the actual page (I didn't copy it here) there's a link to how to know if you're selected.

DH travels a lot, and he has yet to figure out how to know if he's been selected, other than going up to the Pre person and asking.

Therefore, if a passenger is traveling on a TSA Pre" eligible itinerary and has opted in through their airline or is eligible through a Trusted Traveler program, they should still proceed to the TSA Pre" lane to determine eligibility.

About your traveling companions:

Passengers 12 and younger are allowed through TSA Pre" lanes with eligible passengers. Other passengers that do not meet the necessary requirements are not eligible to participate at this time.

There's a lot more in the links beyond the link I gave above. I recommend reading it all. But I wanted to give you highlights.

 

[CPT Tripss]

You also might want to check over on FlyerTalk also.

 

[Greysword]

As Bumbershoot quoted, you'll need to be approved for a trusted traveler account, then provide that number to the airlines. The airlines randomly determine who gets Pre-Check, but it should be on your online boarding pass if you check-in 24 hours early.

Kids (under a certain age) can go through Pre Check with the parent, but others will need it. ThePointsGuy (blog) talks about his moral dilemma going through the airport, since he has Pre-Check but his mom did not. MommyPoints (blog) suggests the one parent with Pre-Check take the kids through and meet the other parent on the other side, so the whole event is quicker.

The least expensive trusted traveler card is Nexus (Canada) or Sentri (Mexico), since they only cost $50 instead of $100, but you can get these upgraded for free to Global Entry if you wish. The trick is the limited number of interview stations for the lower cost credentials (on the border with their respective countries) instead of spread across the US.

Also of note while the credentials technically last for five years, I think in reality it expires with your passport. You'd need to renew the trusted traveler credentials at the same time if your passport expires earlier, so check the passport dates. if it expires in a year or three, it may be wise to renew it.

MCO also has a private program called Clear, which does the same thing. However, it services only a few cities and has a monthly fee. Maybe worth noting if you are originating from those cities, as it is always active.

As the Captain said, there is a lot of info on it on FlyerTalk.com.

Good luck!

 

[cgh]

DH has this (he has global entry, and highest level FF with American and United). Normally, at airports that have it, DS4 goes through it with him and most of the carryons (I keep mine). I have to go through the regular premier ine. (usually the Precheck line is next to the premier security). The line at the precheck is normally nonexistent.

It is not available at all airports though. If you live at a hub that has it it might be worth it to do global entry (if you aren't offered it through FF). I know I've contemplated getting it as its kind of a pain waiting in line while your family doesn't. (on the flipside, that leaves DH to handle a stroller, car seat, roll aboard and a couple backpacks + son all on his own) Would overall be easier if I had it.

 

[MaleficentRN]

It is not available at all airports though. If you live at a hub that has it it might be worth it to do global entry (if you aren't offered it through FF). I know I've contemplated getting it as its kind of a pain waiting in line while your family doesn't. Would overall be easier if I had it.

This is what confuses me. Is getting pre check through a FF program different than that of Global Entry? If I get Global Entry, is it good for any and all airlines?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is what confuses me. Is getting pre check through a FF program different than that of Global Entry? If I get Global Entry, is it good for any and all airlines?

Two different things; do a quick Google search and you'll find the answers you need.

United enrolled my husband into TSA-Pre; he loves it.

Children ages 12 and under can accompany TSA-Pre members, spouses and older children cannot.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

DH has this (he has global entry, and highest level FF with American and United).

That is impressive; UA 1K status and AAdvantage Executive Platinum status requires 100,000 miles of travel each per year (unless he got a status match). If your husband travels 200,000 miles a year, is he ever at home? Rough!

 

[Greysword]

This is what confuses me. Is getting pre check through a FF program different than that of Global Entry? If I get Global Entry, is it good for any and all airlines?

Yes and No.

It is important to note that Pre-Check and trusted Traveler are seperate programs, and the qualifications are different.

Pre-Check is a program initiated to allow frequent fliers the ability to bypass much of the more stringent security processes, since they pose a much lower security risk. It is only useable by elites when flying that specirfic airline.

However, the general public may also qualify for TSA Pre-Check without being high tiered in the airline program by using their trusted traveler qualifications to allow them to be eligible for the Pre-Check. The trusted traveler programs are designed to expedite customs enforcement at the nation's boarders and ports. However due to the nature of qualification for these programs, the Dept of Homeland Security has deemed these credentials sufficient to assume these travelers also pose a low security risk.

That said, non-elites with Trusted Traveler credentials must still register their Trusted Traveler number with the airline, and the airline selects who gets Pre-Check on that flight, but the customer may also use their credentials at other airlines via their frequent flier programs.

In summary, two separate programs with separate goals. However one (Pre-Check) uses the other (Trusted Traveler) as a substitute for elite status, and it is ultimately up to the airline to determine who gets the easy lane.

Also keep in mind, military members with a CaC card may also use Pre-Check at certain airports (I'll let those interested look this up) whether or not the boarding pass indicates qualification.

 

[MaleficentRN]

In summary, two separate programs with separate goals. However one (Pre-Check) uses the other (Trusted Traveler) as a substitute for elite status, and it is ultimately up to the airline to determine who gets the easy lane.

This is all I needed to know. Thank you!
It's interesting how that call is left up to the airline. Wonder how they determine that?