TSA pre check ages 13-17 can accompany parents now!

[sam_gordon]

There are a defined number of Precheck slots available. TSA determines who gets those slots, first, those with a KTN, then if there are still slots leftover they use an algorithm to determine who gets those slots that meets a certain score. This has long been policy that those between 13 and 17 that are travelling with someone with a KTN are eligible to be selected, it is not a for sure thing, it may very well be they changed the algorithm so it's more likely.
The only thing the airlines have to do with it is transmitting the passenger info to TSA to be checked, either by KTN or to be run through the algorithm.

But presumably the teens won't have KTN numbers for TSA to OK the PC status. The indicator HAS to be on the BP (according to whats been posted), so what's going to tell the airline to indicate as such?

 

[Katiebird]

But presumably the teens won't have KTN numbers for TSA to OK the PC status. The indicator HAS to be on the BP (according to whats been posted), so what's going to tell the airline to indicate as such?

The teen would be on a reservation with an adult who has a KTN, same as how it works for kids under 13.

 

[sam_gordon]

The teen would be on a reservation with an adult who has a KTN, same as how it works for kids under 13.

Do kids under 13 have PC on their BP without a KTN? Can I use more abbreviations?

 

[Katiebird]

Do kids under 13 have PC on their BP without a KTN? Can I use more abbreviations?

yes kids under 13 get pre check automatically if they're traveling with (on the same reservation as) an adult with a KTN.

My youngest just turned 13 and I'm just going to get him his own KTN, it's not that much money for 5 years and that way it's ”guaranteed” (no one is actually guaranteed pre check even with a KTN, but I haven’t had enough coffee yet this Friday to come up with better vocabulary).

 

[sam_gordon]

yes kids under 13 get pre check automatically if they're traveling with (on the same reservation as) an adult with a KTN.

OK. That makes more sense. I thought they didn't have the check on their BP and the TSA agent at security just "let them through" with the adult.

 

[supersnoop]

OK. That makes more sense. I thought they didn't have the check on their BP and the TSA agent at security just "let them through" with the adult.

My kid is 20 now, so maybe things have changed, but they never had PC on the BP when they were under 13. They always walked through with me because that's the rule. When they turned 13, but before I could get them in for an interview for Global Entry, they did get PC printed on the BP. I'm still not sure if that was a fluke or intentional.

 

[eticketplease]

There are a defined number of Precheck slots available. TSA determines who gets those slots, first, those with a KTN, then if there are still slots leftover they use an algorithm to determine who gets those slots that meets a certain score. This has long been policy that those between 13 and 17 that are travelling with someone with a KTN are eligible to be selected, it is not a for sure thing, it may very well be they changed the algorithm so it's more likely.
The only thing the airlines have to do with it is transmitting the passenger info to TSA to be checked, either by KTN or to be run through the algorithm.

This is very interesting. I assume your odds are better for a teen if on a reservation that has multiple PC people ie 6 on the res with it and 1 teen that does not.

I was never leaving this to chance as so many credit cards give it to you for free but I am still waiting for the passport renewal (but not renewal since under 16 lol) to come back.

 

[Katiebird]

OK. That makes more sense. I thought they didn't have the check on their BP and the TSA agent at security just "let them through" with the adult.

My kid is 20 now, so maybe things have changed, but they never had PC on the BP when they were under 13. They always walked through with me because that's the rule. When they turned 13, but before I could get them in for an interview for Global Entry, they did get PC printed on the BP. I'm still not sure if that was a fluke or intentional.

Maybe it can work both ways for under 13. My kids have always had the check on theirs while under 13, but it’s not like we fly a ton (especially with covid for the younger one) so it could’ve been a fluke that they got it, and they would’ve been able to go with us anyway.

 

[Jimsig]

Does that mean, if there are too many people with precheck on a specific flight, that you may have to go through the regular screening, even with precheck?

To answer you question yes it would seem yes. But I would not think it's per flight but by time of day at that particular airport and probably even narrowed down per terminal. They would figure out how many people they can handle through pre-check in a particular time slot and go from there. They would work backwards from time of flights to when those passengers would have gone through security.

I know this is exaggerated let's say there are 4 flights each with 150 seats leaving with in 15 min of each other and pre-check can handle 200 people in that 15 min slot. On your flight (known in advance) everyone has pre-check but the 3 other flights have no one with pre check. It wouldn't make sense to limit you flight to only say 50 pre check slots when it could handle everyone on board through pre-check

Just because you have pre-check it does not guarantee you will get it for every flight. They say it's to keep it random. Reading here and some other sites it doesn't seen all that often that someone with pre-check gets flagged and has to use the regular security line.

 

[PrincesCJM]

My son turns 11 next month but I still think I'll sign him up for precheck when he turns 13, Incase we ever travel separately or without an adult that has it. It's not that much money. I will just need to get him a passport or a state ID first since you need an ID to sign up

 

[eticketplease]

My son turns 11 next month but I still think I'll sign him up for precheck when he turns 13, Incase we ever travel separately or without an adult that has it. It's not that much money. I will just need to get him a passport or a state ID first since you need an ID to sign up

If you are getting a passport anyway I would go the Global Entry route as it is only $100 more. Unlike TSA pre check global entry is not applied to minors so you will not be able to go through customs faster.

 

[Jimsig]

If you are getting a passport anyway I would go the Global Entry route as it is only $100 more. Unlike TSA pre check global entry is not applied to minors so you will not be able to go through customs faster.

My son turns 11 next month but I still think I'll sign him up for precheck when he turns 13, Incase we ever travel separately or without an adult that has it. It's not that much money. I will just need to get him a passport or a state ID first since you need an ID to sign up

GE is only $22 more then Pre Check not $100 more. Pre is $78 and GE is $100, both good for 5 years

 

[bumbershoot]

Teens must be on the same reservation as their parents or guardians

And that's the tricky bit. Sometimes we've put one person on a reservation booked with their miles and another on a different one.

We paid $160 in April for our 13 and 15 year olds and we've been waiting for their KTNs for 5 weeks.

I assume you've checked the enrollment site? With both mine and my son's I had to poke around on the page to finally find the ktn.

Does that mean, if there are too many people with precheck on a specific flight, that you may have to go through the regular screening, even with precheck?

Some will always say yes. Me? When I've gone online checkin and did not get precheck on my boarding pass (this is when I had nexus and now that I have plain precheck) I go right back through and manually enter the ktn. I have ALWAYS gotten it to pop up that way. Well, SW made me call, but still, it popped onto my boarding pass once I did so.

Do kids under 13 have PC on their BP without a KTN? Can I use more abbreviations?

They *might* have it on there. They might not. Doesn't matter; those kids can go right on through with their adult.

I thought they didn't have the check on their BP and the TSA agent at security just "let them through" with the adult.

If the younger teen/child doesn't have it on there, that is what happens.

My son turns 11 next month but I still think I'll sign him up for precheck when he turns 13, Incase we ever travel separately or without an adult that has it. It's not that much money. I will just need to get him a passport or a state ID first since you need an ID to sign up

Another person suggested GE. I noticed you might live in Maine. If there are enrollment centers nearby, check out NEXUS. Cheaper than GE or Pre, and includes GE which gives you precheck.

 

[Jimsig]

My son turns 11 next month but I still think I'll sign him up for precheck when he turns 13, Incase we ever travel separately or without an adult that has it. It's not that much money. I will just need to get him a passport or a state ID first since you need an ID to sign up

Another person suggested GE. I noticed you might live in Maine. If there are enrollment centers nearby, check out NEXUS. Cheaper than GE or Pre, and includes GE which gives you precheck.

Maine has 2 places for NEXUS, Calais and Houlton.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus/enrollment-centers/maine

 

[eticketplease]

GE is only $22 more then Pre Check not $100 more. Pre is $78 and GE is $100, both good for 5 years

Thanks for correcting me! When we had looked into it years ago it was $85 and $100 which is where I was getting the $15 more. I personally would still spend the extra cash as it gives you TSA pre check and can use it abroad

 

[eticketplease]

Another person suggested GE. I noticed you might live in Maine. If there are enrollment centers nearby, check out NEXUS. Cheaper than GE or Pre, and includes GE which gives you precheck.

It is definitely cheaper at only $50 and includes TSA pre check but it is not the same as GE as it only expedites the process to/from Canada and not other countries. This may work out for the OP though if they are from Maine and don’t travel internationally except to Canada.

 

[SirDuff]

It is definitely cheaper at only $50 and includes TSA pre check but it is not the same as GE as it only expedites the process to/from Canada and not other countries. This may work out for the OP though if they are from Maine and don’t travel internationally except to Canada.

Not true. I have NEXUS and use GE going into the US from Europe and Asia many times per year. And at least twice from South America. It would also work for flights from Africa and Oceania (I don't know of any US airport that has separate passport control depending on which country you are arriving from, but there might be some), but I've never had this situation myself.

 

[T3Erin]

I assume you've checked the enrollment site? With both mine and my son's I had to poke around on the page to finally find the ktn.

Yep, last time we checked it still said Processing. According to their site and customer service they actually have 60 days to do it - silly us, we figured 6 weeks was enough time. The guy who did the kids prints, etc. said it was taking 3-5 days. So I'm going to hope that because we're all on a reservation together that they'll include them like when they were younger since we still don't have the numbers and we leave on Thursday. *shrug*

Honestly, getting through our airport here in STL isn't THAT bad with regular security (had to do it when I traveled with my mom since she doesn't have Pre), I'm just spoiled! Mostly I want it in the system by the time we come home because MCO is so much worse!

 

[keishashadow]

And that's the tricky bit. Sometimes we've put one person on a reservation booked with their miles and another on a different one.

exactly!

 

[EACarlson]

Does that mean, if there are too many people with precheck on a specific flight, that you may have to go through the regular screening, even with precheck?

Not per flight but per day usually. It's rare but not unheard of for someone to either not get the Pre indicator or get the "SSSS" which means a very strict screening.

But presumably the teens won't have KTN numbers for TSA to OK the PC status. The indicator HAS to be on the BP (according to whats been posted), so what's going to tell the airline to indicate as such?

All of the Secure Flight Data, Name, Date of Birth, information on travelling party, type of ticket, ID numbers. Goes through the TSA database to check the no fly list and determine risk level. TSA then sends back the OK, and whom on the flight is eligible for Pre.