TSA - Precheck Speedy Application

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I just went to the airport yesterday morning and applied for the TSA - Precheck program and in less than 25 hrs later I got my KTN. Called SWA and added the number to my trip that occurs is two weeks.

It will be so nice that I don't have to take my computer and 3 -1-1 bag out and not having to take my shoes off to go through security! Best $85 investment And to top it all off I will get my SWA companion pass next month so I see DH and I taking more trips over the next two year so we should get our monies worth out of the $85 fee which by the way the TSA Pre check is good for 5 yrs. so the cost is $17 a year per person

For those that are interested in applying you go online fill out the pre-enrolled application. After the application portion you are given the option to schedule online an appt time at your local TSA location ( usually at the airport) or do a walk up appt which is what I did. I took my passport with me and the agent had me confirm that all the info I entered online was correct. Took my fingerprints electronically then paid $85. Took less than 15 minutes to complete.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you think you may be traveling internationally in the next 5 years, apply for Global Entry instead ($15 more).

 

[Judyat]

I have gotten tsa pre on all my flights with Southwest for at least the past year without paying the fee.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have gotten tsa pre on all my flights with Southwest for at least the past year without paying the fee.

You can't count on it though:

http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/likelihood-receiving-tsa-precheck®

I have read that TSA is reducing your chances of randomly getting TSA Pre; they want you to pay to enroll in a trusted traveler program.

 

[keishashadow]

I have gotten tsa pre on all my flights with Southwest for at least the past year without paying the fee.

DH & I have been pretty lucky too, unfortunately, rarely both at the same time lol.

 

[BLLB]

I was randomly selected for TSA Pre (SWA also) . It took twice as long. I was then randomly selected for a "longer" screen. The whole thing was bizarre. Send me through the regular line anytime.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I get frustrated because H & I both have pre check (it was free through our employer) and everytime we fly SW he gets the pre check and I don't -- even though both of our numbers are linked to our tickets

I end up sending him through with 3 kids and the stroller, while I wait by myself in the regular line.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

That would be super annoying. Have you contacted Southwest about this?

 

[bumbershoot]

I get frustrated because H & I both have pre check (it was free through our employer) and everytime we fly SW he gets the pre check and I don't -- even though both of our numbers are linked to our tickets

I end up sending him through with 3 kids and the stroller, while I wait by myself in the regular line.

Are you making sure to input that number each time you check in? DH has to do that with either alaska or united every single time. If he relies on the info being linked in his account, it doesn't work. He has to edit his checkin and type it in and then it works.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Southwest says it's random with who gets pre-check and who does not... just seems strange that 4 times in a row H had it and not me...

 

[nkereina]

I get frustrated because H & I both have pre check (it was free through our employer) and everytime we fly SW he gets the pre check and I don't -- even though both of our numbers are linked to our tickets

I end up sending him through with 3 kids and the stroller, while I wait by myself in the regular line.

Southwest says it's random with who gets pre-check and who does not... just seems strange that 4 times in a row H had it and not me...

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.

 

[supersnoop]

I get frustrated because H & I both have pre check (it was free through our employer) and everytime we fly SW he gets the pre check and I don't -- even though both of our numbers are linked to our tickets

I end up sending him through with 3 kids and the stroller, while I wait by myself in the regular line.

Make sure that your name is exactly the same for the pre-check system as it is on your boarding pass. A missing middle initial or spelled out name will disqualify pre-check.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I'll have to check. My employer (federal agency) did everything for my pre-check, so i'm not 100% sure how it was filled out.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have to say it was worth the investment. Flew home this past weekend and the regular security line at MCO was long. I checked my watch as I approached the TSA Pre Check line and checked it again after I was through and it took all of 2 minutes! It felt really odd to just pick up my bag and walk away.

Something else that was odd. Three days before my return trip home I wanted to purchase EBCI on SWA for my flight and I got a error message, "this person is not eligible for EBCI or has already purchases EBCI". I thought that was rather odd.
So I waited and later that day I got the same message. So I figured they only sold so many EBCI and I missed the chance to buy one. No I did not already buy it and forgot that I had. So I figured "oh well" I will just check in the old fashion way. I checked in at the 23 hr mark because I was too busy enjoying my stay and missed the 24 hr mark. Which is why I wanted to buy the EBCI. I figured for sure I would get a C board position since I was late checking in.

Low and behold I got A 21. In fact my two flights down were A 24 and A 30 on a full flight. Not sure if I was just lucky when checking in or if the Pre Check status had anything to do with it. It just really made me wonder since I got the error message when I tried to give the airline my money for the EBCI and they would not take it. I will have to see what happens on my next flight.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for the info. Been thinking about it too. I get it often and it's always nice, but know it's random. Wonder if I can go to a local airport vs a major one. I'll have to take a look

 

[SamRoc]

Have been flying back and forth from jfk to charlotte every month for over 2 years. Have had the pre check through jet blue on every flight for over a year. even when i went to mco in october. didn't cost anything. i just fly alot!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Look online they have locations that are not even at airports.

Thanks for the info. Been thinking about it too. I get it often and it's always nice, but know it's random. Wonder if I can go to a local airport vs a major one. I'll have to take a look

 

[nkereina]

Thanks for the info. Been thinking about it too. I get it often and it's always nice, but know it's random. Wonder if I can go to a local airport vs a major one. I'll have to take a look

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.

 

[n2mm]

Look online they have locations that are not even at airports.

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.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.......
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.

If you have TSA PreCheck it won't make it more likely your husband will randomly get it.