TSA Pre check and wheelchair

[pugdog]

Question for those that have TSA pre check and use a wheelchair. We decided to get it since we travel several times a year. I know I will be able to get through faster but wondering if DW and her wheelchair will get through a little bit quicker. I always handle the bags through anyways so that is not a factor. It's just her and her chair that needs to be checked. Just always seems like its at least 1/2 hour for her to get through with all the checks they do and hoping that having the pre check might cut some of that time down. Not asking them to cut any corners but wondering if having it will speed up the process.

 

[tinka-belle]

Last time we had a random pre-check assigned went to the separate line and did not have to take our 3-1-1 baggie out of our carryon, did not have to take the laptop out of its bag, but esp. timesaving we did not have to remove the shoes, meaning we didn't have to spend time looking for a place to sit to put them back on. They will still inspect or swab the wheelchair, and she will still have to walk through the detector or have a pat down if she is not able to walk through it. Sometimes I've seen them do just a cursory wheelchair check, doesn't take much time. Other times, a full inspection, takes a minute or two longer.

The time hold ups seem to be waiting for someone to inspect the wheelchair or to do the pat down, that probably won't change with pre check.

 

[pugdog]

I am totally looking forward to using it to MY full advantage of what it is. We were just wondering what it will be like for her. And yeah it can take forever at times to get someone to check her out. I know that part will never change but was just wondering about the time when they finally do get to checking her. Worst so far was waiting a half hour just to get someone to get her in and start the process.

 

[mamabunny]

I have been TSA Pre-Check since the program started.

It changes nothing when traveling with a personal mobility device. Some airports are simply better organized, I think! I have noticed that ironically larger, busier airports are faster with a mobility device, simply because the agents there see more of them. Smaller airports (like our home airport) don't get as many travelers with mobility devices, and so it seems like it always surprises them LOL.

We always arrive AT LEAST 2 hours prior to flight time, and typically aim for closer to 3 hours. By the time you get through TSA and to your gate, grab a coffee from Starbucks, then get the device gate-checked and the crew notified about any special assistance you need to board the plane... you might have just enough time to run to the bathroom before boarding.

 

[johndoesmith]

First and foremost...do not count on Precheck. Precheck is and always was random. Precheck IS NOT A PURCHASE RIGHT. Precheck is a purchase priviledge that is subject to the granting at all times by the Federal Govenrment or proxy.

If you are Precheck for the specific flight you are boarding; Precheck or TSA PRE will appear on your boarding pass. You might get Precheck and DW might not.

The wheelchair screening will still occur. I suggest arrive early, confirm Precheck status of you and DW. Get to the Precheck line.

You can also call TSA and request a Passenger Support Specialist (PSS):

Email TSA Cares
(855) 787-2227
Federal Relay: 711

Weekdays:
8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET
Weekends/Holidays:
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET

 

[SueM in MN]

First and foremost...do not count on Precheck. Precheck is and always was random. Precheck IS NOT A PURCHASE RIGHT. Precheck is a purchase priviledge that is subject to the granting at all times by the Federal Govenrment or proxy.

If you are Precheck for the specific flight you are boarding; Precheck or TSA PRE will appear on your boarding pass. You might get Precheck and DW might not.

The wheelchair screening will still occur. I suggest arrive early, confirm Precheck status of you and DW. Get to the Precheck line.

You can also call TSA and request a Passenger Support Specialist (PSS):

Email TSA Cares
(855) 787-2227
Federal Relay: 711

Weekdays:
8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET
Weekends/Holidays:
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET

There are actually 2 components to TSA Precheck.
One is the random assignment to travelers for Precheck. We have gotten that at various times; sometimes one member of our party, sometimes all.

The other is a paid program, but just because someone applied and paid to be included doesn't mean it's available for every airport or necessarily every time they fly.
https://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/apply

The times we have gotten Precheck, it still has been helpful even if it was only one person. Because that person doesn't need to remove their 3-1-1 bag, their shoes and possibly their jacket, that person is available more quickly to help 'wrangle' all our stuff.
Also, because our daughter needs one of us with her, having Precheck can help speed things. We still have to wait for someone to check her, but they don't have to wait for us.
When DD has gotten Precheck, she did not have to remove her jacket or shoes (without it, they always want her jacket off, but shoes are variable).

 

[pugdog]

First and foremost...do not count on Precheck. Precheck is and always was random. Precheck IS NOT A PURCHASE RIGHT. Precheck is a purchase priviledge that is subject to the granting at all times by the Federal Govenrment or proxy.

If you are Precheck for the specific flight you are boarding; Precheck or TSA PRE will appear on your boarding pass. You might get Precheck and DW might not.

The wheelchair screening will still occur. I suggest arrive early, confirm Precheck status of you and DW. Get to the Precheck line.

Actually it is if you apply and get a Known Travler Number which we both have. We went to our local airport and went through the process and answered the questions and had our finger prints taken.

From https://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/apply

"Travelers are vetted for TSA Pre✓® every time they fly. TSA and airlines do not limit printing of the TSA Pre✓® indicator to the participating airports."

So we will get it everytime, another thing if the airports we go to will have it though.

And never was looking to get out of the wheelchair screening just was wondering if they did it quicker because of it. Just the fact that I can get through faster will help some but if she still ends up sitting for half an hour for someone to check her will suck. We always get to the airport 3 hours early no matter what anyways since we never know what the lines will be like and like to eat before we get on anyways.