TSA precheck

[FzesandTylersNana]

Has anyone used this at MCO? Did it cut down on the wait time for security?

 

[RebelSoul]

Yes and yes. Have had TSA Pre-check for 18+ months now. Have used it in Connecticut, Rhode Island, JFK in NY, Boston, Austin, Orlando, Jacksonville, Ft Lauderdale, and Charlotte so far and only one time was the Pre-check line more time. It was only because of an equipment issue and we only waited about 5 minutes longer. I travel quite a bit and love having it. Not having to take shoes and belts off or remove laptops and liquids from bags is worth it! Shorter lines is a bonus.

 

[smidgy]

how do you get it?

 

[jdb in AZ]

how dp ypu get it?

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

http://www.tsa.gov/?CLK=RRDTHTXT3

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, I have it and it saves time - more in some airports than others.

If you have randomly been selected to use the TSA Pre (rather than having applied for it) you don't have to remove shoes, light jackets or take your lap top or 3-1-1 zip lock out of your carryon. You do however still need to comply with the TSA rules for carry on bags! I recently saw several water bottles and some full size toiletries removed and discarded in the pre check line. Just because you don't have to remove the zip lock doesn't mean the liquid (and other) restrictions don't apply.

 

[Celeste132]

I was randomly selected for it at MCO this summer for a morning flight. I never thought it would be worth it, but it made a world of difference and I will be definitely paying for it next time I fly. Not having to unpack my bag to get the liquids out was the best part!

 

[tjmw2727]

I was randomly selected for it at MCO this summer for a morning flight. I never thought it would be worth it, but it made a world of difference and I will be definitely paying for it next time I fly. Not having to unpack my bag to get the liquids out was the best part!

Just fyi you can't purchase it per flight, you must apply in advance and the fee is $85 for 5 years. See the links kindly provided above for details on applying.

 

[katallo]

We were randomly selected last week. Much quicker.

 

[OKW Lover]

I live in Orlando and regularly fly out of MCO using pre-check. There is no question that it moves faster than the regular lines.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Absolutely! My family and I walk right through. No line. Best money I ever spent.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not having to unpack my bag to get the liquids out was the best part!

Just in case you fly before you get it...my trick is that I don't *pack* the 311 bags. I place them on the tiptop of my carryon or personal item (generally in one bag) so I just grab them and zip up the bag before putting the bag on the conveyor belt and the baggies in the bin. Makes it a lot easier.

Also, the baggies are the last that get packed up anyway, because we're putting last minute getting-ready stuff into them before leaving the condo.

 

[tstidm1]

I have a follow up on this question. Is it worth if you only travel once a year or every other year? Most years I only travel once to Orlando. If I only travel that often, Is it worth the $85 for five years?

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

This is very interesting to me! We travel as a family once a year plus an adult trip once per year. Anyone have experience with signing up a special needs person? We have a DS18 with autism. Not sure he can do the "arms up" security machine. Everyone is always so good with him (understanding)....but if we could wait in a shorter line that would be SO WORTH $85 each/per 5 years.

 

[cleopenn]

I have a follow up on this question. Is it worth if you only travel once a year or every other year? Most years I only travel once to Orlando. If I only travel that often, Is it worth the $85 for five years?

We travel a lot so it is worth it to us. But for one trip a year? Might not be worth the time commitment for the interview as well as the cost, your time would be better spent just getting to the airport early enough to clear security.

This is very interesting to me! We travel as a family once a year plus an adult trip once per year. Anyone have experience with signing up a special needs person? We have a DS18 with autism. Not sure he can do the "arms up" security machine. Everyone is always so good with him (understanding)....but if we could wait in a shorter line that would be SO WORTH $85 each/per 5 years.

The pre check lines can be so different. Earlier this month, the agent on the MCO line I went thru was sort of a jerk about the fact I had a long sleeve tshirt tied around my waist and made me go but thru the line and put it on the X-ray belt. I dint say peep but I thought "really? How many other people went thru with their coats on and you sent me back for a tshirt?" So to answer your question, pre check should ease the way but it's not a guaranty.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

We travel a lot so it is worth it to us. But for one trip a year? Might not be worth the time commitment for the interview as well as the cost, your time would be better spent just getting to the airport early enough to clear security.

The pre check lines can be so different. Earlier this month, the agent on the line I went thru was sort of a jerk about the fact I had a long sleeve tshirt tied around my waist and made me go but thru the line and put it on the X-ray belt. I dint say peep but I thought "really? How many other people went thru with their coats on and you sent me back for a tshirt?" So to answer your question, pre check should ease the way but it's not a guaranty.

Thank you for your response! When hubby and I were leaving MCO last month the security line was HORRIBLE! We watched as "Pre-Check" passengers breezed right thru. We were there probably 2 hours in advance, so not in a rush, but still it was crazy! I'm thinking even if we had to wait 10-15 minutes in the "Pre-check" line, that'd be much better than 30+ minutes (especially for our autistic son)! I'll be calling them tmr with questions .....

 

[cleopenn]

Thank you for your response! When hubby and I were leaving MCO last month the security line was HORRIBLE! We watched as "Pre-Check" passengers breezed right thru. We were there probably 2 hours in advance, so not in a rush, but still it was crazy! I'm thinking even if we had to wait 10-15 minutes in the "Pre-check" line, that'd be much better than 30+ minutes (especially for our autistic son)! I'll be calling them tmr with questions .....

Ok, so along the lines of your response, I say it's absolutely worth it for us because ease of getting thru the airport is worth every penny for our family . For others? Not so much.

When we went thru MCO on dec 2, the lines at 11am were incredible. We literally walked right thru pre check. Even with the bizarre tshirt issue, it didn't take us more than 2 minutes. I am sure the regular lines were at least a 30 minute wait.

I have been after my mom about getting global entry (that includes pre-check) because we all travel internationally two or three times a year. I wanted to pay my parents' application fee as their Christmas present, less than the cost of a car wash gift certificate per year for 5 years.

My mom was horrified at the idea because she thinks it's a waste of money. I'm the opposite, I think anything that makes my vacation easier is money well spent. People have very persimmon all relationships with money so one person's value is another's waste of money.

 

[Starwind]

I have a follow up on this question. Is it worth if you only travel once a year or every other year? Most years I only travel once to Orlando. If I only travel that often, Is it worth the $85 for five years?

Depending where you live, an alternative could be a NEXUS card which is $50 for 5 years and also gives you Global Entry and TSA PreCheck privileges.

I have NEXUS and absolutely found it worthwhile to be using TSA PreCheck in Orlando (and the NEXUS lines in Canada). Considerably less time in line, and a much easier line process since most things stay on/in vs normal lines.

SW

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Ok, so along the lines of your response, I say it's absolutely worth it for us because ease of getting thru the airport is worth every penny for our family . For others? Not so much.

When we went thru MCO on dec 2, the lines at 11am were incredible. We literally walked right thru pre check. Even with the bizarre tshirt issue, it didn't take us more than 2 minutes. I am sure the regular lines were at least a 30 minute wait.

I have been after my mom about getting global entry (that includes pre-check) because we all travel internationally two or three times a year. I wanted to pay my parents' application fee as their Christmas present, less than the cost of a car wash gift certificate per year for 5 years.

My mom was horrified at the idea because she thinks it's a waste of money. I'm the opposite, I think anything that makes my vacation easier is money well spent. People have very persimmon all relationships with money so one person's value is another's waste of money.

I say AMEN! I'm with you! ANYTHING to make our lives easier!! $85 pp for 5 years is SO WORTH IT!! Again thanks.....I'll be calling today!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

If you have already booked flights, can you add your TSA #?

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

If you have already booked flights, can you add your TSA #?

According to the TSA website...

"Contact your air carrier or visit their website to add your KTN (Known Traveler Number) to any previous reservations. The airline also can confirm that your first/middle/last name are in the correct Secure Flight fields. The KTN will be submitted along with Secure Flight passenger data to TSA. Remember to enter your full name, date of birth and KTN exactly as you provided during the TSA Pre✓® application process or when you enrolled in a CBP trusted traveler program."