TSA Precheck query

My passport is stamped with a who's who of terrorist watchlist countries, Global Entry or not, Customs is talking to me.

 

Well, sometimes that can't be helped. But not everyone has a "resume"... I've gotten a few talkings to about my dive trip to Sharm el-Sheikh despite my creds in their hand.

 

Here's what I recommend. Get Global Entry instead of Pre-Check. I think it's only $20 more and you get Pre-Check included. My dad has Global Entry as he travels monthly for work and I finally got around to getting it myself because fuck LAX. Even when the lines are short, it's just so much nicer not having to take your shoes off, take your liquids out, laptop/electronics out etc. It just makes getting through security a breeze.

As far as bringing your wife in Pre-check it depends. If you are on the SAME reservation, they usually put all people in the same reservation with Pre-Check. So when I used to go on family vacation, only my dad had the Pre-Check but my mom and myself both got it on our ticket.

Definitely recommend getting it. Especially if your company is paying for it.

 

Only downside is at least in SLC, the interview lead time was like 6-9 months for GE. But at bigger airports it was a lot shorter.

 

My wife and I are both pre-check and it makes traveling with kids so much easier. We fly out at least 2 to 3 times a year with the whole family and it’s a lot easier wrangling two kids under five when you don’t have to also take your shoes off and remove all of your electronics and kids snacks and basically unpack and repack your bags on the TSA belt. I also use a CPAP machine and being able to leave it in its case in my bag is 100% worth getting the pre-check.

 

Ya, I forgot that GE requires an airport interview. I just did Pre-Check, got my appointment within 3 weeks, and got my approval within a week. OP seems like he has a small airport so maybe he will have shorter lead time?

 

did you do a live-aboard? how's the diving there? looking to go there this fall.


OP, to reiterate what everyone has already mentioned, definitely get precheck. if the wait is not bad, then go for global entry.

 

No, I stayed in town. Def go! It's amazing! The town is safe too since the police/military has it on lock down for all the tourist traffic that comes through, but they don't exactly let you wander past the city limits.

But be prepared to get pulled out of line on the return trip home for a bit. That is not a friendly part of the world.

 

TSA Precheck approved. Have my KTN already. That took..3 days? I look forward to skipping lines moving forward!

 

I recently flew back from Jamiaca, and I have TSA Precheck, but not the Global version. So I had to go through customs in our connection flight through Philadelphia... which also meant going back through security. It was an early evening flight, but the precheck was closed and I had to go through the regular security.

You'll never not appreciate pre-check until after you have it and then have to go back through the normal one with the cattle.

 

DCA is my home airport so it doesn’t matter there but whenever I fly JetBlue and get their even more space/speed seats the line is always way faster than TSA precheck at least at bigger airports like Logan. Not always an option but just a thought. Otherwise there is no doubt it’s solid.

 

TSA Precheck is well worth the money and I would strongly recommend going through the approval process. I use CLEAR as well. I live in Atlanta and TSA Precheck is sometimes faster than Clear. In every other city where Clear is available, it is faster, Atlanta is just super busy. Note that Clear with TSA Precheck is faster than Clear with a straight ticket.

NOTE- MY Precheck is part of Global Entry, which is $100 a year. Again, well worth the $ to skip the really long lines after a long flight home. There are lines but usually less than 5 minutes.

 

i only did pre check because that is most of my traveling, and i didnt have to go to an airport for an interview. I havent used it yet, but there were multiple times it would have saved my ass. Last year my wife and i THOUGHT we were getting to the airport in time only to see a huge security line. we waited as the pre check line was clear, hundreds of people deep in the regular line. They will not let you through, even if you say oh im gonna be late!. As we were going through the detectors they were calling our names. made it with seconds to spare. That week, i signed up.

 

Global entry/precheck is amazing. I travel internationally once a month and usually one domestic trip in between all of those. It's such a time saver especially at big airports - plus leaving all your crap in your bag is well worth it rather than fumbling with a computer and toiletries.

I originally had a 6 month wait for my interview but was coming back thru US CBP in Vancouver while I was waiting and they were having a slow day that the agent asked me right there if I wanted to to my interview - 10 min later I was done 5 months ahead of when I had my interview scheduled for. I've heard if you just show up at the interview location they can usually get you taken care of.

Also - My GF will get precheck anytime we're booked on the same ticket as well.
Delta offers discounted Global Entry thru some of their AMEX credit cards and medallion statuses.- just keep an eye out for the offers.

 

I can get from the train station, through security, and to my gate during rush hour on a friday at Atlanta Hartsfield in less than 30 minutes... PreCheck is life changing for business travelers