Getting TSA Pre-Check for my Non-Speaking, Developmentally Disabled Adult Child

[elvispursley]

I have Pre-check (via global entry) and an autistic son for whom we [try to] use TSA Cares. Boy is that program hit or miss! SEA (our home airport) pre-check still can have lines & hassle that are too much for my son. I travel quite a bit and I’d say just a bit more than half of airports get me through quickly enough & hassle free enough to be something I’d do with my son. Also, airports will occasionally just not issue your pre-check even though you have it. It’s their right to do so and I’ve had to happen to me once. They would not reinstate it.

SO, what I guess I am trying to say is that I personally use pre-check more as something to fall back on if I’m traveling with my son and still try to book TSA cares service. If they just never contact me or no-show, I can just use the pre-check line if it looks doable. If not…I make the TSA agents run it up the ladder there at the airport to get us through security in a way that’s safe & respectful for my son.

SEA was my home airport (live in Hawaii now but still fly to SEA every couple months). I’ve always had rotten service from TSA at that airport regardless if I’m using precheck or not. I totally feel for you and your DS. I wish that the TSA Cares program was at every airport and worked the same at each airport. Frankly, I’d just like not to be yelled at and made to feel a burden that they have to hand screen my medical device.

No, not really. At least, not the implication that Global Entry provides the same/similar benefits in non-US airports that Precheck offers in US airports. Global entry has a completely different purpose to Precheck, though getting GE also gives you Precheck benefits.

Global Entry isn't relevant in most non-US airports*. It is relevant when returning from international travel and going through passport control and customs. Nothing to do with security in international airports (which aren't TSA).

*The exceptions are airports where there is pre-clearance for US passport control and customs where GE is a benefit (since, as noted, it is applicable to US passport control and customs). In some countries (the US pre-clearance) security and passport control/customs are connected, thus, there, having GE may be a benefit for airport security.

Some Canadian airports have introduced NEXUS security lines (which are similar to TSA Precheck lines) but not sure if GE gets you into them (GE doesn't get you access to NEXUS lanes/kiosks).

When we lived in WA we had NEXUS and it worked great flying back from Italy when we stopped in Toronto. Wish I still had it but it expired and now we use global entry as only certain states allow you to apply for NEXUS.

 

[Katiegrose]

If your child is under 17 you shouldn't need to go through enrollment. 12 and under can go with a parent with PreCheck on it, and if they are between 13 and 17 AND booked on the same reservation as you then it should populate on their boarding pass. It is always nice to have the peace of mind should you ever book on separate reservations, but it may save you $85.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequent...y-family-can-they-also-use-tsa-precheckr-lane