Did something change with the TSA recently?

[sam_gordon]

Airlines are selling the pre check per flight. most gates now have 2 lines one for those who paid and for those who did not. my experience seems to be about 40% of people paid. If you pay ask as there are separate lines although at the ID check but only still 1 TSA agent checking both lines as they merge... there is actually 3 lines now Not paid, airline paid and know...But as below all the paid usually have a separate scanner line.

This doesn't make sense to me. First, I didn't think Airlines could even offer Precheck. Second, the lines at the gates are for priority boarding... has nothing to do with precheck. Last but not least, I flew through Cincinnati and Vegas and Louisville since the beginning of the year. All of them had one TSA check in (where they check your ID and boarding pass) for Precheck and a separate one for non-Precheck. At TSA, I've never seen anything to designate between "not paid", "airline paid", and "know"(???).

 

[wilkeliza]

This doesn't make sense to me. First, I didn't think Airlines could even offer Precheck. Second, the lines at the gates are for priority boarding... has nothing to do with precheck. Last but not least, I flew through Cincinnati and Vegas and Louisville since the beginning of the year. All of them had one TSA check in (where they check your ID and boarding pass) for Precheck and a separate one for non-Precheck. At TSA, I've never seen anything to designate between "not paid", "airline paid", and "know"(???).

I think PP is confusing expedited and pre-check. So some airlines (like Jetblue) have Mosiac, Extra-Speed, and Extra-leg room all which get to go through the expedited security line. Only problem is now that everyone can buy extra-speed for 10 more a person the extra speed lines are having crazy waits. It use to just be extra-leg room passengers only, then Mosiac came along, and now extra-speed. I use to fly through the extra-leg room line at JFK terminal 5 and now it can have a 30 minute wait while the other non-paid lines are an hour or more. People see the super long line then just pay the 10 per a head to go through the extra-speed line.

Pre-check there is handled on the opposite end though and almost never has a line. They still often let extra speed go through it as well which is a practice I though was suppose to be stopped but hasn't.

 

[betterbutter]

Hmm well no, the rules don't change that much. I go through security 2-4 times per week and your liquids still have to be in the bag and your shoes and jackets off.

It's the people who don't empty their pockets despite being told to, who don't carry their ID out even when there's a sign every three feet saying you need your ID and boarding pass, who insist vehemently that hairspray "isn't a liquid, it's a spray" instead of throwing it out and moving forward, and yes, people with kids and strollers who slow the whole thing down.

Those rules don't change. I have been told once in the past four months to leave my jacket on.

I think the confusion comes from the "I'll just do what the person in front of me does" instead of listening to instructions. That person might not remove their laptop because they have a checkpoint bag, or might not take off a belt because they purposefully didn't put it on so as to not have to take it off.

It isn't that complicated but people perpetually act surprised at the process.

There was someone on my last flight who had precheck but didn't even know what a boarding pass is. She couldn't figure out how to use the kiosk to print one, then ran into her again in the precheck Lane where I guess she was lucky not to have to do the shoes/jacket/liquids thing because she didn't know about any of it. Then she couldn't figure out how to board the plane.

Heck, I was behind someone last week in a suit with a Platinum Medallion luggage tag who meticulously removed one item at a time, carefully removed and retied his shoes before placing them on the belt, then went through the scanner with a bunch of papers in his pockets.

Although I agree with much of what you write, I am not sure where you are flying from, but I've been in at least a dozen airports so far this year and they are all pretty much on the same page these days as far as precheck. Only heavy coats must come off, never shoes, 3-1-1 bag stays in suitcase, no need to remove belts, etc.

 

[betterbutter]

There are a few things going on....
Airlines are selling the pre check per flight. most gates now have 2 lines one for those who paid and for those who did not. my experience seems to be about 40% of people paid. If you pay ask as there are separate lines although at the ID check but only still 1 TSA agent checking both lines as they merge... there is actually 3 lines now Not paid, airline paid and know...But as below all the paid usually have a separate scanner line.
TSA agents are checking things better (for lack of better words) one time my laptop bag (and there was nothing but metal in it that I can not walk through with) was run through twice instead of someone looking in it?? --did this to several people
People are bringing a LOT of carry on bags Back to above (airline fees)
can not say people who did not follow rules slowed things down as there was always agents telling people to double check OVER and OVER.....but I am sure there are still issues especially with vacationers who do not fly much--yes this is understandable BUT the rules are stated and told to people..
lastly there are a lot of people who do arrive 3 hours early making the lines that much longer for flights leaving in an hour. (this is not wrong but does contribute to the longer lines)
I can say at Newark airport what use to take me 10 minutes at best takes me 45-1 hour now. These are early morning mostly business travelers. when I came back to Newark the gate was walk through... no waits. Boston Logan was faster then usual...and the line was longer than other times.
will paying help.... maybe but do not expect to walk through you will still have a wait likely longer than your previous experiences.
I personally did not notice less TSA agents but at airports like Orlando where there is ONLY one line... one lane closed will slow things down a lot.

Orlando has four types of lines. Regular, Pre-Check, employee, and Clear.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just went through security at LAX, fie Virgin America. It's a smaller security area than a lot of other areas. But...three of us were TSA precheck. I pay for it, dh and dd got it via being with me, I imagine. I paid $20 so that dd's boyfriend could get priority security and boarding. He had a larger carry in bag, so wanted to make sure there was bin storage available.
Ok...he goes to the priority line, we all get in the TSA precheck line. Then? We are blended in with a regular line. So, what happens? Other passengers see some of us keeping stuff in our bags, our shoes on, etc. So they follow suit. But, they don't have precheck. They get to the scanner, are told to remove their shoes! I get there, and am asked for my bp. Um, no, it's in my bag. Well, I need to 'prove' I'm precheck! Run back to my bag to pull it out, and back to the scanner! Seriously? Perhaps they need a precheck line/scanner only....not a combination line. Talk about confusing.
So...here I am...the one person who keeps saying the TSA is trying. I stand corrected. I have never seen such lack of consistency!!
All in all....it only took us about 15 mins to get through security. But, it didn't have to be as confusing as it was...for everyone.

 

[NotUrsula]

All Minor applicants, including renewals, must apply in person at a Passport Agency, authorized Passport Application Acceptance Facility, U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please see Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16.
The Expedited Fee is required for each application submitted in person at a Passport Agency or Center.
That fee is $60
Plus your $40 makes it $100

A Passport Agency or Center is an official INS office, they only accept appointments for people who need expedited service. Applying the normal way at a post office doesn't require the expedited fee.

 

[momtwoboys]

we flew from BDL on april 15th and never in our entire times flying have seen lines wrap so far along for security It was stressful for sure. Both the line in the terminal and the side that connects to the sheraton hotel. INSANE! this was a friday morning. Note to us that next year in april if this is still happening we leave the house even earlier!

 

[book_junkie]

I'll say this, then shut up. Probably makes lots of people happy.

People here complain that "fools" slow down the lines. That "fools" don't know what to do. Etc.

Well, part of the problem is that the rules seem to change at a whim -- take off toupees, don't take them off. Take off false noses, don't take them off.

But, you know, none of us were born knowing how to go through security lines. Have a little bit of patience and kindness. It helps your blood pressure.

I know, lots of folks get surly about being behind "some slow old fool" in the supermarket checkout line. Well, you know, one of these days, that old fool will be you....Kismet.

Ya know, never once did I make a comment about age. I went back to make sure, because it wasn't an issue then. You've brought the ageism in it- not me.

The rules for the regular lines haven't changed in a while. The TSAprecheck rules are different and are set as well, and haven't changed. Both are clearly posted around the airport, in the queues, and repeated by the TSA personnel.

I think that if by the point you get to the bins if you don't know what you're supposed to be doing in EITHER line, I'm allowed to be a little frustrated.

 

[sluggozmom]

A Passport Agency or Center is an official INS office, they only accept appointments for people who need expedited service. Applying the normal way at a post office doesn't require the expedited fee.

I'll give that a shot..thank you!
I misunderstood

 

[Anal Annie]

If I had to fly for a living with my job I would buy it but we only fly 2 or 3 times a year. $85 pp is a little steep for my wallet right now. Sounds like a nice gig if you can afford it.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

If I had to fly for a living with my job I would buy it but we only fly 2 or 3 times a year. $85 pp is a little steep for my wallet right now. Sounds like a nice gig if you can afford it.

The $85 is good for 5 years. If you already have passports from cruising it is $ well spent imho.

We have an early flight home in August, post cruise, at 11:40am. Typically, we'd easily make this and even have time for lunch by the gate but after the CF we experienced in March, we're buying it. I thought it was a fluke thing that day but now I know why.
We're flying SWA so we could easily switch to a later flight but that is $35 pp more. For another $50 pp we could keep our early flight and have this service for 5 years.

 

[Anal Annie]

The $85 is good for 5 years. If you already have passports from cruising it is $ well spent imho.

We have an early flight home in August, post cruise, at 11:40am. Typically, we'd easily make this and even have time for lunch by the gate but after the CF we experienced in March, we're buying it. I thought it was a fluke thing that day but now I know why.
We're flying SWA so we could easily switch to a later flight but that is $35 pp more. For another $50 pp we could keep our early flight and have this service for 5 years.

I realize it's good for 5 years BUT our DS just finished his first year of (private) college - 4 more to go by the time he completes his Masters. We'll have tuition bills due again in a couple of months and when faced with over $50K a year EVERY PENNY counts right now. $85 pp is just NOT a necessary expense for us right now when we can wait it out for free in the regular line... Same with renting a car vs using the free DME when we fly. No brainer for us.... We're back to eating Ramen Noodles LOL!!

(And we have let our passports expire so don't have those available....DS is the only one with a current one - we got him a new one last year when he turned 18 so it would be good for 10 years - and he's going to college in Rochester, NY - thought he might want to visit Canada sometime. We can't afford vacations to Europe or any more DCL's so we don't need ours until after he finishes college.)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I realize it's good for 5 years BUT our DS just finished his first year of (private) college - 4 more to go by the time he completes his Masters. We'll have tuition bills due again in a couple of months and when faced with over $50K a year EVERY PENNY counts right now. $85 pp is just NOT a necessary expense for us right now when we can wait it out for free in the regular line... Same with renting a car vs using the free DME when we fly. No brainer for us.... We're back to eating Ramen Noodles LOL!!

(And we have let our passports expire so don't have those available....DS is the only one with a current one - we got him a new one last year when he turned 18 so it would be good for 10 years - and he's going to college in Rochester, NY - thought he might want to visit Canada sometime. We can't afford vacations to Europe or any more DCL's so we don't need ours until after he finishes college.)

 

[MSS91]

Has anyone noticed or heard if the security lines have drastically gotten longer in Orlando? I know its usually a half hour wait most of the time but i wonder if its getting worse.

 

[smidgy]

I'll say this, then shut up. Probably makes lots of people happy.

People here complain that "fools" slow down the lines. That "fools" don't know what to do. Etc.

Well, part of the problem is that the rules seem to change at a whim -- take off toupees, don't take them off. Take off false noses, don't take them off.

But, you know, none of us were born knowing how to go through security lines. Have a little bit of patience and kindness. It helps your blood pressure.

I know, lots of folks get surly about being behind "some slow old fool" in the supermarket checkout line. Well, you know, one of these days, that old fool will be you....Kismet.

bless your heart. we will be slow. my husband has low vision.. and recently had major back surgery, so has mobility issues. taking off shoes will be a major PAINFUL hassle for him (we don't have pre-check) because of the flourescent lighting, I will have to help him into the scanner.

he was once a strong independant man. and hates needing help. nasty comments are not going to hurry him along. thank you ranger!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

bless your heart. we will be slow. my husband has low vision.. and recently had major back surgery, so has mobility issues. taking off shoes will be a major PAINFUL hassle for him (we don't have pre-check) because of the flourescent lighting, I will have to help him into the scanner.

he was once a strong independant man. and hates needing help. nasty comments are not going to hurry him along. thank you ranger!!!

And your husband isn't in the group of passengers that I have an issue with. My step-mother needed extra time when she flew with me. But, she was prepared correctly for security...as I'm sure your dh is. If you know you have an issue taking off shoes, then it's probably not a good idea to wear your tightest lace up shoes to the airport, as an example.
The people I have an issue with? Those that do the following...
1. try to get that bottle of whatever through security...'But I bought it right here, at the airport. I paid $5 for this and I'm not tossing it out'
2. 'What do you mean I have to take off my shoes? I'm not taking them off and walking around in my bare feet'
3. Seriously? You want that stuff out of my carry on bag? Isn't that what the scanner is for?
4. Oh, I didn't know I would have to take this belt off....as the line of 6 people builds up behind him.
5. The parents that decide this is a good time to explain about what is going to happen at security.

The list could be longer. Flying isn't cut and dry anymore. The issue with the TSA is complete lack of consistency. So, if you put the flying public's lack of knowledge together with lack of TSA consistency?? A nightmare.

 

[charmed59]

How old is your husband? If he is over 75 he does not need to remove shoes.

 

[charmed59]

Yesterday, at LGA we went to the precheck line and there was one family in front of us that was not familiar with precheck. They started taking all sorts of stuff out of their luggage and were stripping off shoes and clothes, despite being told they did not need to do that. When the dad grabbed four bins the TSA agents started yelling at them to stop. Then they sent us in front of them. I think they were hoping if they saw folks going through just throwing hand luggage onto the belt they would get the idea. As we wandered off we looked back and they were still standing there dumbfounded, and other people were sent in front of them.

 

[FigmentSpark]

bless your heart. we will be slow. my husband has low vision.. and recently had major back surgery, so has mobility issues. taking off shoes will be a major PAINFUL hassle for him (we don't have pre-check) because of the flourescent lighting, I will have to help him into the scanner.

he was once a strong independant man. and hates needing help. nasty comments are not going to hurry him along. thank you ranger!!!

Does your husband have a walker or something that might qualify him to use the handicap lane? My mom, who looks healthy, but has a lot of back issues, brings her walker and she just goes through the handicap line at security. I think its actually faster, even though there is more equipment (walkers, wheelchairs, etc) to scan. Check in to whether you can qualify for that line.

 

[AquaDame]

bless your heart. we will be slow. my husband has low vision.. and recently had major back surgery, so has mobility issues. taking off shoes will be a major PAINFUL hassle for him (we don't have pre-check) because of the flourescent lighting, I will have to help him into the scanner.

he was once a strong independant man. and hates needing help. nasty comments are not going to hurry him along. thank you ranger!!!

You should be able to request assistance for Nebo at the airport check in. With recent surgery and back pain they would be able to take him through security in a chair, and he may not have to do the scanner at all. They'll hit him with a wand and such instead. My father in law was basically blind with bad balance though he only had a cane but they always did this for him. It made it much easier for my MIL to have an extra set of hands and knowing Nebo he won't mind making a new friend to tell his jokes to!