TSA - Precheck Speedy Application

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

It's my understanding that if you (or your employer) pay for pre-check and you go through the application process, then you get pre-check every time you fly domestically. The random pre-checks are assigned to people who haven't gone through this process.

No, you can still get randomly sent to the regular line. Based on what people of flyertalk track it seems less likely if you have gone through the interview process etc.. but... you may still get the regular line.

Also, just because you have precheck your spouse is not able to use the line with you (saw that at MCO Sunday and if you can't bear to be away from him for 10 minutes then skip precheck, crying to the TSA agent about it's our "honeymoon" didn't work LOL!) There is no "family" discount on the sign up fee either.

 

[nkereina]

No, you can still get randomly sent to the regular line. Based on what people of flyertalk track it seems less likely if you have gone through the interview process etc.. but... you may still get the regular line.

Also, just because you have precheck your spouse is not able to use the line with you (saw that at MCO Sunday and if you can't bear to be away from him for 10 minutes then skip precheck, crying to the TSA agent about it's our "honeymoon" didn't work LOL!) There is no "family" discount on the sign up fee either.

Thanks. Not concerned about being away from DH, but if he still has to wait in the regular line, it negates the time I saved using pre-check so not worth the money to me. Certainly not worth the money to sign up both of us, especially if it's not guaranteed all the time. Didn't realize that.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks I did look and found one about 30 miles away, so pretty close....we talked about it and you convinced us to do it too. I think when you pointed out it was $17 per year that did it. We only take about 4 trips to wdw a year and sometimes the lines at reagan can be rough.

I did sign up for this the next day and had my interview on Thursday. Even though I have gotten it every flight (except Frontier/who doesn't participate) over the last few years, I was willing to try any how. I was probably getting it because of my former employer (Fed. USG), but retired 4 years ago.

OP, do they notify you via email when it's complete?

 

[Denise W]

I did sign up for this the next day and had my interview on Thursday. Even though I have gotten it every flight (except Frontier/who doesn't participate) over the last few years, I was willing to try any how. I was probably getting it because of my former employer (Fed. USG), but retired 4 years ago.

OP, do they notify you via email when it's complete?

I got a letter in the mail with my Known Traveler number, which I use whenever I book a flight.
Denise

 

[kjs1976]

We have a 7 yr old DD. How would that work with her if DH and I both sign up and have it? TIA!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We have a 7 yr old DD. How would that work with her if DH and I both sign up and have it? TIA!

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

 

[houseofduck]

We have a 7 yr old DD. How would that work with her if DH and I both sign up and have it? TIA!

Under 12 can go through pre-check with their parents, if the parents have pre-check.

 

[Starwind]

For us here in upstate NY, the TSA interviews are conducted at off-site locations. They don't do it at the airport at all. Seems like some kind of contractor or third party vendor that handles it. The office in Buffalo where you have to schedule the interview is inconveniently located about 25 minutes from the airport and is open Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday from 11am-4pm

Anyone know if you pay for TSA precheck if spouses pay full price for it too or if there is a higher probability they could be assigned it if traveling with you? I am going to be traveling a lot for work and thinking of paying for this for my own sanity, but if it doesn't help DH when we travel together, might not be as worth it.

Since you are near Buffalo, another option to consider is the Nexus Card. Cheaper than Pre-Check ($50 vs $85), but comes with Pre-Check privileges. And Global Entry privileges. Plus it lets use use Nexus lanes (if they are at your border crossing) when crossing the border to/from Canada. DHS has a nice comparison chart: http://www.dhs.gov/comparison-chart

SW

 

[n2mm]

I did sign up for this the next day and had my interview on Thursday. Even though I have gotten it every flight (except Frontier/who doesn't participate) over the last few years, I was willing to try any how. I was probably getting it because of my former employer (Fed. USG), but retired 4 years ago.

OP, do they notify you via email when it's complete?

Wow, I just checked my status and I got my approval already. It took less than 2 business days. My husband hasn't gotten his approval yet. It said I would be getting a letter in the mail.