The scoop on TSA Pre✓™

TSA Pre✓™  . . . the skinny and why I love it so much

You have probably seen articles or news stories about the new TSA Pre✓™  . . . or have heard me rave about it during the past few months.  What the heck is it?  Who has it?  Why do I love it so much?  Read on.

(I obtained most of this information directly from the TSA website, to read further visit www.tsa.gov)

WHAT??

The Pre✓™ is an expedited TSA airport screening process which multiple airlines and airports are now participating in.  Those who are enrolled in the program have a separate security line at the airport checkpoints and basically after doing your ID/boarding pass check you then put your things on the conveyor belt and walk through the detector.  The best part is, you don’t have to take your shoes off, laptop out, belt off, jacket off, or take your bag of 3oz liquids out of your bag.  LOVE it!!  For those of us who fly weekly, it is SO efficient! 

HOW??

I obtained my Pre✓™ enrollment automatically though my frequent flier status with United.  According to the TSA website, interested passengers who are not eligible through their airline and are not already a member of a CBP Trusted Traveler program may still be eligible for TSA Pre✓™ by applying for one of CBP’s eligible programs. Click here to learn more: www.globalentry.gov.

For those of you who are not super frequent fliers as above, TSA has also announced plans to implement a TSA Pre✓™ application process forthcoming. The TSA Pre✓™ fee-based application process will allow U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents the opportunity to apply for expedited screening without a passport. To learn more about the application process click here – TSA PreCheck Application Process

If you are enrolled or participate in the TSA Pre✓™  program, you will see a TSA Pre✓™ symbol at the top of your boarding pass (image from tsa.gov) – 

 

WHO??

Current airlines who are participating in TSA Pre✓™  include Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, United, US Airways, & Virgin America.  For my Southwest friends, according to their website they recently began participating in the program and will be rolling it out at various airports shortly.  

WHERE??

According to the TSA website, there are currently 100 airports now participating in Pre✓™.  Important to note, even in those participating it is not at every check point or every terminal.  For example, at EWR the Pre✓™  is only available at checkpoints C1 and C3 in Terminal C, and is not fully implemented in Terminal A.  At MKE, they have Pre✓™  for United in Terminal E, American in Terminal C, and US Air in Terminal D.  Southwest will be rolling it out shortly from my understanding.   You can see if your airport and airline are participating here – Participating Airports

So that’s the skinny . . . and why frequent travelers such as myself love it so!  Safe travels!