PreFlight? Is there a benefit?

[RMAMom]

I am considering PreFlight for DH and I. I understand that this means we don't have to remove shoes, take out 311 bag, remove belts, etc but does it actually shorten your wait time in line? Do you go through a different line or is that depending on the airport? Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Whats the benefit to it or isn't there one? Thanks.

Oh, and what about if we were traveling with our 5 and 7 yr old grandchildren. They will not be preflight so does that mean that we cant use preflight status when they are with us? Thank you?

 

[RMAMom]

I think I found the answer to my own questions.
https://www.southwest.com/html/cust...921e9dfe0d34f02cca222446d8bf36dd85a0539a88e10

I would still like to hear from someone who has it though.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

It's called PreCheck. I've had it for a few years because I have Global Entry, which is expedited re-entry into the U.S. when on international travel.

I travel often and find PreCheck to be extremely convenient. There are dedicated PreCheck lines in participating airports (which will be most, if not all, major airports), and the lines move a lot faster than the regular lines because there isn't so much stuff to do at the security lines. You generally go through an X-ray rather than a body scanner, though if you're randomly selected for additional screening (which can happen), then you might be asked to go through the body scanner. Children are able to accompany adults through a PreCheck line even if the kids themselves don't have PreCheck.

 

[sam_gordon]

Personally, I weigh how often I fly (MAYBE 1-2 times a year), what airports I'm flying to/from (I don't think my home airport has a precheck line), what the cost/hassle is of getting Precheck, and how much time/hassle it will save me (some, but not enough IMO). If I flew more often, yes, I'd get it.

 

[DVC-Don]

My wife and I both have PreCheck. We have a second home south of Orlando and fly in and out of Orlando six or seven times between October and May. Our airport in Albany, NY has what I call a "part time" PreCheck line. Sometimes it's open, sometimes it's not. If not, they give us a card that lets us keep our shoes on, but we have to take computers out. It's a big help in Orlando though.

 

[bumbershoot]

DH gets it because of Global Entry. It's almost always much shorter, but sometimes at some airports they'll randomly send non-Pre people to the Pre line (or sometimes the whole place acts like a Pre line...keeping us on our toes!) and that can slow things down as agents berate people for not magically knowing what to do (or not to do). Telling someone to put everything back on and in after they've taken things off and out doubles the time! Come on agents, if it's off/out, just let it be.

 

[DebbieB]

I was lucky to get it free both ways on my trip to Dallas last month on American. I does save time, the line was much shorter and it's more convenient to not to have to take my shoes off and get my laptop out. I got it free on Southwest on my Orlando trip last October.

 

[pooch]

I guess TSA likes me. I have gotten Precheck on my boarding pass (random, for free) on EVERY flight I've taken over the last couple of years. It's nice, it's quick, hope I stay on their good list!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

My whole family has been given pre-Check the last three times we've flown. I love it!

 

[fairy oma]

I travel frequently alone to see grandchildren or to meet husband on his business travels and loved Pre-check so I bit the bullet and applied. The lines are so much shorter and I/we especially appreciate it in the larger airports such as O'Hare and ORL. I love it!

 

[Tatertot75]

It's so much less stressful to go through PreCheck. It's definitely worth it, and it was a HUGE time-saver at MCO on our way back. I'll definitely be renewing if it still exists when mine expires.

 

[nkereina]

I fly frequently for work and don't have pre-check. There have been several instances where I have been randomly selected for pre-check (noted on your boarding pass) or I'll head for the regular security line and they'll re-direct me to pre-check for whatever reason. When this happens, I'd say the pre-check line is just as long as the regular line. It is more convenient since you don't have to take off shoes, etc. but I still haven't felt compelled to pay the $85 for it yet. Not enough of a noticeable different in wait times where it's worth it for me, based on where I usually fly.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

LOVE it!
The best $85 I spent - and its good for five years. But I fly a lot for pleasure - 2-4 times a month. Saves a ton of time for me.