Flying with Kids and TSA PreCheck

[jtowntoflorida]

Just thought I'd post this as an FYI, since many people here fly with children.

We flew SW from MSP to STL for Thanksgiving. Southwest just joined the TSA Precheck Program in mid-November. I have Global Entry so I have a Trusted Traveler number, but my husband does not, so I usually skip PreCheck when I'm flying with the family, otherwise he's left behind.

Apparently now airlines may give TSA PreCheck to some kids under 12, which also allows their parents to go through the PreCheck line with them. So, during busy TG travel, we were allowed through the PreCheck line thanks to our kids. We joked that their boarding passes were our FastPasses through the security lines!

So, if you're flying with kids, make sure to check the kids' boarding passes. Even if yours don't have the PreCheck indicator, as long as the kids' passes have them, you should all be able to go through the PreCheck line, which means no taking off shoes, no taking out laptops or liquid baggies, etc.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Ah, and Google is telling me that all airlines that participate in PreCheck now allow kids under 12 to go through expedited screening. So it's not just a Southwest thing.

 

[bumbershoot]

How did that allow your husband to go through though? ds has gotten to go along with DH (who tends to get pre because of global entry) but I'm left out in the cold. Will I be allowed to use it now?

I was just reading, on cruisecritic, that MCO has a "traveling with" line right next to the pre line, for people like me. Has anyone here seen this line?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

How did that allow your husband to go through though? ds has gotten to go along with DH (who tends to get pre because of global entry) but I'm left out in the cold. Will I be allowed to use it now?

I was just reading, on cruisecritic, that MCO has a "traveling with" line right next to the pre line, for people like me. Has anyone here seen this line?

Because he's accompaning a minor with PreCheck, not another adult. The PreCheck was given to the kids, not to the adults (I hadn't entered my Trusted Traveler number into my SW profile because they weren't participating at the time I made my reservation). The TSA doesn't expect young kids under the age of 12 to go through security alone, so the parents get a free ride. I assume they have determined that families traveling together with young children aren't much of a security risk and so can go through expedited screening.

 

[lillykat]

Hmm the way it is worded on the TSA site it sounds like kids under 12 get it with an eligible adult.... Sounds like a parent can use it if THEY are eligible they can then sign their kids 12 and under for it. Or am I looking at the wrong thing. Doesn't sound like anyone can sign their kids up then sign up for it.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Hmm the way it is worded on the TSA site it sounds like kids under 12 get it with an eligible adult.... Sounds like a parent can use it if THEY are eligible they can then sign their kids 12 and under for it. Or am I looking at the wrong thing. Doesn't sound like anyone can sign their kids up then sign up for it.

Yes, kids can go through PreCheck with an eligible adult. In such a case, the adult's boarding pass indicates PreCheck and the kids get to come in line with them. In our case on Saturday as well as the Wednesday before TG, it was the KIDS' boarding passes that indicated they were eligible for PreCheck. Neither mine nor my husband's boarding passes had the PreCheck logo on them. A TSA officer directed us to the PreCheck line and once we got there, another TSA officer said, "I need to see the kids' boarding passes that got you into this line." It's different from what you cited from the TSA website. Maybe it was specific to Southwest after all. The TSA agent did say that Southwest was making all kids eligible for PreCheck, but I wasn't sure if that was accurate or not. Maybe it's because my kids are Rapid Rewards members? Hmmmm....

 

[disneyag]

I wonder if it was something special for the TG holidays. I can't imagine that SWA will give every child under 12 Pre Check access. If I were a business traveler, I'd be livid to see that many families in line. Pre Check is supposed to expedite things and, typically, families take a little longer.

 

[ctjsowens]

We flew US Airways from CLT-MCO and back on Nov 22nd and 29th and both of our daughters had precheck on their passes while we did not and they are 15 and 17. Didnt really check the lines in CLT as we were in first class but on the way back all the lines seemed backed up and we just ignored the precheck. Our daughters never had precheck before until this trip. Dont know what triggered it this time.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.......

Apparenlty now airlines are giving TSA PreCheck to all kids under 12......

This just is not true.

 

[dsnymomof4]

Sorry for the stupid question - but what is precheck?

 

[bumbershoot]

Because he's accompaning a minor with PreCheck, not another adult. The PreCheck was given to the kids, not to the adults (I hadn't entered my Trusted Traveler number into my SW profile because they weren't participating at the time I made my reservation). The TSA doesn't expect young kids under the age of 12 to go through security alone, so the parents get a free ride. I assume they have determined that families traveling together with young children aren't much of a security risk and so can go through expedited screening.

Interesting.

Pre Check is supposed to expedite things and, typically, families take a little longer.

I've never noticed it's the kids making things longer, though, in security lines. (except for when my kid doesn't listen to me or remember what we have gone through 18,000 times, but we are still moving forward and putting things in bins while talking, so I'm not sure it really is taking more time...just taking more talking)

Sorry for the stupid question - but what is precheck?

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

 

[jtowntoflorida]

This is from Southwest's website. It may be something specific to Southwest, but I'm not sure. All I know is traveling at TG, it was awesome for all four of us to go through PreCheck!

http://www.southwest.com/html/generated/help/faqs/tsa_precheck_faq.html

Additionally, using its Secure Flight system, the TSA will also proactively prescreen Passengers who are traveling, with the goal of possibly pre-clearing more Passengers to use TSA PreCheck lanes. These Passengers will not be required to “opt-in” via their Rapid Rewards account or include a KTN at time of booking. They also will not be required to submit any additional information, submit an application, or pay a fee. However, TSA will be able to provide some of these Passengers with the opportunity for expedited screening on a flight-by-flight basis by analyzing information already provided by Passengers through existing Secure Flight program requirements such as name, date of birth, and gender.

I'm sure this is how the kids were deemed eligible for PreCheck.

From the same page:

Customers who do not meet the necessary requirements (“TSA PRE” printed in the upper left hand corner of the boarding pass) are not eligible to accompany you through the lane at this time. However, accompanying passengers 12 and younger are allowed through TSA PreCheck lanes when traveling with eligible passengers (parent or guardian).

I wonder if it was something special for the TG holidays. I can't imagine that SWA will give every child under 12 Pre Check access. If I were a business traveler, I'd be livid to see that many families in line. Pre Check is supposed to expedite things and, typically, families take a little longer.

Personally, what slows families down is having to follow all the steps that are required at the regular checkpoints. If you're going through the PreCheck lane, all you need to do is put your bags on the belt and walk through the metal detector. It's just as easy for most kids to do that as adults.

We flew US Airways from CLT-MCO and back on Nov 22nd and 29th and both of our daughters had precheck on their passes while we did not and they are 15 and 17. Didnt really check the lines in CLT as we were in first class but on the way back all the lines seemed backed up and we just ignored the precheck. Our daughters never had precheck before until this trip. Dont know what triggered it this time.

I think your daughters may have also benefited from some of the (rightfully) secretive risk assessments the TSA makes on all passengers to qualify them for PreCheck. Based on our experience, I would guess it was due to their status as minors, but who knows.

 

[DebbieB]

Sorry for the stupid question - but what is precheck?

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

I was randomly chosen a couple of times last month. The line does not require you to remove shoes or jackets. You don't have to take your laptop out. But both times I had to wait while they swabbed my hands for explosives.

You can also pay to be included in the program but you have to go through an application process and get fingerprinted.

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

 

[MINNIEsotanice]

I flew MSP-STL over Fourth of July with my then 2 year old. They have a designated family line that goes around the regular security line. My daughters ticket looked the same as mine. The TSA agents flagged us over to go through the family line. I'm not sure what pre-check is as we flew Delta but we breezed right through as there was a long line for regular security. I was with my cousin and she was able to come with us through the family line. I believe it was for people with children 12 and under.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Over Thanksgiving week we flew PHL-MCO via US Airways & TPA-PHL via SWA. Both times, DS16 was given Pre-check on his boarding pass. Both times the TSA agents essentially said, "he can go over there or he can stay with you, your choice".

 

[MODisFan]

If my husband and I apply (and pass) the Application process for TSA pre check, will our children, ages 2 & 7, need to apply as we'll or will they be able to go through the pre check line with us?

 

[tjmw2727]

I flew 2 r/t's so far this month, each time I had pre check my dd's did not. They were not allowed to accompany me through the pre check line. Instead I went with them through the regular security line.

 

[MaleficentRN]

If my husband and I apply (and pass) the Application process for TSA pre check, will our children, ages 2 & 7, need to apply as we'll or will they be able to go through the pre check line with us?

No. They can go through with you as long as they are 12 and under.

 

[MODisFan]

No. They can go through with you as long as they are 12 and under.

Thanks!