WWYD II: Group split for TSA?

[sam_gordon]

DW and I are taking the family on a cruise next year to celebrate younger DD's HS graduation. Older DD will be bringing her husband, DS will be bringing GF, younger DD will have a friend, so total of 8, all will be 18+. SiL is the only one who hasn't flown before.

Second dilemma... TSA Precheck. DW & I both have PC. The kids don't. Should DW & I take advantage of PC and let the kids "suffer" through "normal" screening? I've done that with DS in the past. At our home airport, it's easy to keep an eye on folks from either line. Not sure about Houston (where we'll fly into).

I guess we could recommend the kids get PC, but they're still broke and don't fly much.

WWYD I is also related to this trip, and since you can't do two polls in the same thread, that question is here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/wwyd-i-group-airline-booking.3928990/

 

[scrappinginontario]

I would use the Pre-check line and let the others go through the normal line.

It will be the first experience of your trip where you divide to do what works for each. A group of 8 will end up with many different touring styles and choices. This will just be the first of many.

 

[AgentMama]

Definitely wouldn't go through the non-precheck line with those without. I hate taking my shoes off at the airport.

If they're on the same reservation as you, sometimes the precheck carries through to others, but I've noticed that happens less often lately.

 

[Best Aunt]

DW and I are taking the family on a cruise next year to celebrate younger DD's HS graduation. Older DD will be bringing her husband, DS will be bringing GF, younger DD will have a friend, so total of 8, all will be 18+. SiL is the only one who hasn't flown before.

I guess we could recommend the kids get PC, but they're still broke and don't fly much.

Do you normally buy holiday gifts for these people? If so, do you normally spend more $78 or more on each of them? If yes, then your holiday gift for everyone is to pay for them to get Precheck. Then sit down together and make sure everybody makes the appointment.

Bonus is that you don't have to try to figure out what to get people for gifts this year.

 

[sam_gordon]

Do you normally buy holiday gifts for these people? If so, do you normally spend more $78 or more on each of them? If yes, then your holiday gift for everyone is to pay for them to get Precheck. Then sit down together and make sure everybody makes the appointment.

Bonus is that you don't have to try to figure out what to get people for gifts this year.

Not a bad idea, but:
A) Odds are against them using it again in the next 5 years, so it would be $78 for using it twice, and if we use our home airport, it doesn't save a lot of time.
B) We have never gotten a gift for the friend yDD is bringing. It would be strange (IMO) gift for her.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Split. Use PC, the rest of the crew is younger they can stand in line just fine. I think buying it for them just so you don’t split would be rather weird.

Meet up at your gate or something, you all have cell phones so you can reconnect after security just fine.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Yeah I'd say split up like others have said. My wife and I have Global Entry and when traveling with others who don't have it, we just go through the PC line and wait for them on the other side after which inevitably the phrase "I need to enrol in that" is uttered.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree - split up. Maybe y'all can carry something through the PC line for them, just to make it easier for them - for example a laptop (if you don't have one of your own) so they don't have to open the case in the security line.

 

[EACarlson]

No way I would go through regular security if I had access to Precheck. I have a credit card where every authorized user gets a Precheck credit. I would make the kids and the SIL as authorized users, maybe the son's GF depending on severity of relationship and get them all Precheck. Who knows what life changes will occur in the next five years.

 

[sam_gordon]

No way I would go through regular security if I had access to Precheck. I have a credit card where every authorized user gets a Precheck credit. I would make the kids and the SIL as authorized users, maybe the son's GF depending on severity of relationship and get them all Precheck. Who knows what life changes will occur in the next five years.

That would leave DD's friend out even if I did that. I'm not making her an authorized user.

 

[RedHead0186]

I agree with most others, split up. If I have Pre-Check, I'm using it.

 

[sponica]

You're all adults, split up.