“I just won’t fly anymore. The security makes flying too much of a hassle. I’ll either drive or stay home.”
We frequently hear comments like this from people who like to travel but don’t want to fly.
While we understand the dislike of air travel hassles — from security lines to crowded planes to canceled flights — there is an action that most U.S. travelers can take to make their flight experiences less stressful.
Apply For TSA Pre-Check for a Smoother Pre-flight Experience at Many U.S. Airports
The words “TSA PRE” on your boarding pass (as highlighted in yellow in the photo above) means a much quicker transit through airport security checkpoints without having to remove your belt, shoes or lightweight jacket. Plus, you can leave your “liquids” quart-size bag and your laptop computer inside your carry on.
In our experience, TSA Pre-Check means a 3 – 10 minute trip through security rather than an hour or more at the busiest airports. Of course, you are still subject to full screening upon random selection or other issue, but we’ve found that a rare occurrence since we have been using Pre-Check.
Pre-Check is available at at more than 115 airports nationwide for eligible passengers traveling on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America. This link contains a list of participating airports where where TSA Pre✓ lanes are available. A caution: not all security gates at participating airports have Pre-Check.
How to Qualify for TSA Pre-Check
TSA Pre✓ allows low-risk travelers who apply and are approved for the Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler program to experience faster, more efficient screening at participating U.S. airport checkpoints for domestic and international travel.
- To qualify, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and cannot have been convicted of certain crimes.
- Interested applicants pre-enroll online to provide biographic information that includes name, date of birth and address before visiting an enrollment center to be fingerprinted and show valid required identity and citizenship/immigration documentation. There is a nonrefundable application processing fee of $85.00, but the once complete the Pre-Check is good for five years.
- After completing enrollment, successful applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) via U.S. mail approximately 2-3 weeks following their visit to the enrollment center.
- Once approved for TSA Pre✓, you must enter the provided KTN in the “˜Known Traveler Number’ field when booking airfare on any of the nine participating airlines. You can also enter your KTN in your frequent flyer profiles with participating airlines for future reservations.
- We’ve found it’s always a good idea to check that the number is in each booking at least several days before you fly. It’s also essential to make you reservations with the same name you used when applying for the TSA Pre-Check. If you are Jeffrey Allen Smith, don’t book your ticket as Jeff A. Smith, or you won’t qualify for expedited security.
- When you check-in online and print your boarding pass, you will see a TSA Pre✓ indicator on the boarding pass if you are approved for Pre-Check for that flight.
Apply for Global Entry and Get TSA Pre-check as a Side Benefit
U.S. citizens who are currently enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS, as well as other individuals who already have a Known Traveler Number (KTN), are eligible to participate in TSA Pre✓.
If you plan to travel internationally, you should apply for Global Entry which expedites clearance through Customs when you enter the United States. A side benefit of this program, which costs $100 for 5 years, is that you also receive a Known Traveler Number, which means that you can participate in TSA Pre-Check without a separate approval.
What’s Global Entry?
“Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Though intended for frequent international travelers, there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program.”
What this means is that if you apply for and are approved for Global Entry, you skip the regular Customs line when you enter the US and go to a special automated kiosks at select airports. You scan your passport in the machine, put your fingers on the pad for fingerprint matching, smile for the camera, answer four questions, and then the machine spits out your clearance. After collecting your bags, you go through another special line (past all those angry glares of those waiting in the long lines) and out you go, on your way. There is always the possibility that you get an X on your form, which requires further screening, but it is still expedited.
Learn more about Global Entry and the application process here.
We applied applied for Global Entry in 2012, and have benefited ever since. This little card (pictured above) is also recognized by Australia customs, allowing a quick entry when you visit that country. Plus, you get TSA Pre-Check at the same time.
If you dislike long security and immigration lines at airports, check out Global Entry and/or TSA Pre-Check.
It will make flying less stressful and more fun, so you can enjoy seeing more of the world.
Do you have TSA Pre-Check and/or Global Entry? If so, which airport do you most appreciate the expedited screening?
Other travel tips you might enjoy reading”;.
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