TSA precheck

[MrsBlovesDisney]

We signed up earlier this year and love it. It breaks down to $17 a year. We have flown 8 times since signing up and have always used it. Yes, children 12 and under can go with you in the precheck line. 13 and up need to register. We have flown out of mco, bwi, dca and iAd which all have precheck. Some smaller airports do not have it. Plus not all airlines participate, like Frontier. I got my number in 24 hours and my husband took a week. You can check the status on line. I was able to update my accounts with SW, Jetblue and United online. I was also able to add it to existing tickets myself, except SW. I had to call and get an agent to add the numbers to our existing tickets.

My kids and I went yesterday to enroll at 2PM. I checked our statuses first thing this morning. I'm all set and our DS18 is all set. However DD21 is still being processed. I have to assume it may be because she has been a world traveler (been to Europe a few times, plus studied abroad for a year in Scotland). It says it could take up to a month for a response....(insert SHOCKED LOOK.....since I can't seem to add it lol)!!

I thought (and I could be wrong) that children up to age 12 are included on the traveling parent's TSA pre-check. I have Global Entry and when I fly with my children they automatically receive TSA Pre-check. Now that isn't to say that you can't get selected for "Special treatment." When we flew to MCO from DCA my daughter was selected for special processing. Normally not a big deal but for an Aspie it is. She started crying. TSA went nuts. "Why is she crying?!?" They decided to do the hand cotton swab test on me instead.

Yup! Under 12 no problem.....(but my autistic son is 18). We have been very lucky over the years (our son has been traveling to WDW every year since he was around 3), and TSA so far have been accommodating. But when there are long lines at Security it can be a bit too intimidating for him.....so hoping this TSA Precheck will help. (THUMBS UP.....why can't I insert these anymore grrr?) LOL

 

[Shanti]

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?

Yes, to me it is always worth it. You avoid getting a full-body scan, taking off shoes, etc. & waiting in an endless security line. It makes flying less of a hassle & more dignified. Few $85 purchases will have that kind of benefit.

 

[Shanti]

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.

My son is high-functioning autistic but is 11, so won't enroll him until next year. Applying for Pre-Check is very easy. The "interview" is nothing in-depth at all. They take your fingerprints & ask for your address, that's about it. That will be easier on your son than the standard airport security line experience. You need to sign up for Pre-Check in advance of reserving your flight, though, & approval takes some time.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

My son is high-functioning autistic but is 11, so won't enroll him until next year. Applying for Pre-Check is very easy. The "interview" is nothing in-depth at all. They take your fingerprints & ask for your address, that's about it. That will be easier on your son than the standard airport security line experience. You need to sign up for Pre-Check in advance of reserving your flight, though, & approval takes some time.

Thank you! We are ALL SET! Went about 10 days ago and was easy peasy!! We got our KTN's less than 24 hours later! Sooo worth $85pp for peace of mind!!! Already applied our numbers to our March flight no problem!! Woohoo!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Just a warning..

Precheck is NOT a guranteed "pass" Randomly passengers are selected for full screening and won't get precheck. It's rare but it happens (and acting like a two year old when you are told "sorry you didn't get it today" will not help, but will amuse the other travelers!)

 

[n2mm]

Just a warning..

Precheck is NOT a guranteed "pass" Randomly passengers are selected for full screening and won't get precheck. It's rare but it happens (and acting like a two year old when you are told "sorry you didn't get it today" will not help, but will amuse the other travelers!)

That is true. We flew out of DCA in October and the man in front of us had to do the full check. We were all in the precheck line.

 

[AngiTN]

Anyone have any any sight on how long it takes from the Interview date till you have your number? I looked on the FAQ to see if it says but if it does, I can't find it.

I've decided DH and I need to do this but we have to both order our birth certificates first, and our marriage license. I got that out of the way and hopefully it will be here in a few days and then I'll set up our interviews and what not. But wondering how long before we'll have it all completed. Based on my research, we'll have no wait for the interview. There are times next day every time I look

 

[n2mm]

Anyone have any any sight on how long it takes from the Interview date till you have your number? I looked on the FAQ to see if it says but if it does, I can't find it.

I've decided DH and I need to do this but we have to both order our birth certificates first, and our marriage license. I got that out of the way and hopefully it will be here in a few days and then I'll set up our interviews and what not. But wondering how long before we'll have it all completed. Based on my research, we'll have no wait for the interview. There are times next day every time I look

I got my number in 24 hours and my husband's took one week. You can go back to the website you do your form on and there is a link to check the status. I checked the next day and was already approved. We got a letter a few weeks later. I called SW and had our numbers added to our tickets and it went well. For Jetblue and United I was able to add the number to those tickets myself. Only SW I had to call. Also had to update all of my airlines profile. (I had several trips already booked when I got our numbers). BTW, I was over an hour late for our interviews and they took us anyway. We got stuck in traffic.

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks! That should be in plenty of time for our next trip. We'd been getting it randomly on most trips till they cut back on how many they give away.
Now that we fly a few times a year I want to go on and get it out of the way

 

[n2mm]

Thanks! That should be in plenty of time for our next trip. We'd been getting it randomly on most trips till they cut back on how many they give away.
Now that we fly a few times a year I want to go on and get it out of the way

Yes, I was getting all the time before signing up (but was guessing it was from my USG job clearance). But my husband was only getting is randomly. Last year we decided to just both sign up, especially since we have the grandkids with us sometimes and they are all under 13 and can go with us through security.

 

[supersnoop]

Anyone have any any sight on how long it takes from the Interview date till you have your number? I looked on the FAQ to see if it says but if it does, I can't find it.

I've decided DH and I need to do this but we have to both order our birth certificates first, and our marriage license. I got that out of the way and hopefully it will be here in a few days and then I'll set up our interviews and what not. But wondering how long before we'll have it all completed. Based on my research, we'll have no wait for the interview. There are times next day every time I look

I was handed a piece of paper with my number at the end of my interview. We were flying out later that day, so I went to the counter and had it added to my reservation and it showed up on my return flight.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

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.

I think it is worth it since it is for 5 years. My adult daughter has autism and I was able to get her TSA pre check no problem. I may have signed for her but I'm not sure.

 

[DVC-Don]

I've had a TSA Known Traveler number for a while now and it is nice. BUT, The TSA PreCheck line is not always open. The PreCheck line at the Albany, New York airport has been closed for quite a few of my flights, including the last three. And last month the PreCheck line in Terminal B at Boston's Logan airport was closed for a morning flight. In Orlando I've always found it open. When ever it is closed I've been given a card to give to the TSA agents that allows me to keep my shoes on, but I still have to take the laptop out. It nice when it works.

 

[Chirple]

I have been considering getting TSA Pre-Check and have a question for those who already have it.

My driver's license, which I currently use as my ID for domestic travel, displays first name, middle initial, last name. My passport includes my full middle name. If you have this scenario as well, did you use your passport name in your application (being that you can use your passport as ID)? If so, do you now travel with your passport as ID for domestic flights and put your full name on your domestic airline tickets? This would affect personal and work travel.

 

[DVC-Don]

Passport. A passport always trumps a state issued ID.

 

[charmed59]

I have been considering getting TSA Pre-Check and have a question for those who already have it.

My driver's license, which I currently use as my ID for domestic travel, displays first name, middle initial, last name. My passport includes my full middle name. If you have this scenario as well, did you use your passport name in your application (being that you can use your passport as ID)? If so, do you now travel with your passport as ID for domestic flights and put your full name on your domestic airline tickets? This would affect personal and work travel.

If you are getting global entry, have it match your passport. If you are just getting TSA pre-check, It can match your DL.

For international flights leaving the US they seldom issue TSA-Pre anyway, even if you have global entry or trusted traveler. The idea is the country you are traveling to did not vet you, and will want full screening. However, the global entry kiosk on the return will only work if your clearance name matches your passport.

You are manually entering your trusted traveler number into your airline accounts to get TSA pre-check. It doesn't have to be as precise on middle names.

 

[Chirple]

Passport. A passport always trumps a state issued ID.

I agree with this, but I feel that as long as a state ID is valid for domestic travel (which I do more frequently than out-of-country travel) then leaving my passport at home makes one thing less I have to carry and secure at my destination.