This article was co-authored by Amy Tan. Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Whether you’ve applied for the TSA PreCheck program or got randomly selected for a TSA PreCheck experience, TSA PreCheck allows you to use a special lane while going through airport security. In this lane, you’ll generally have a shorter wait time, be allowed to keep your shoes and outerwear on, and be permitted to keep your liquids and electronics stored safely in your bag. There is nothing you can do to be randomly selected for TSA PreCheck, but if you want to apply for TSA PreCheck, you’ll need to apply online and schedule an in-person interview to get approval.
Steps
Knowing What to Do at the Airport
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1Enter the security line marked for TSA PreCheck passengers. Once you get to the security line at the airport, look for the lane labeled “TSA Pre✓®” or "Expedited screening". This line should have fewer people and shorter waits as you move through security.[1]
- You will be required to show your boarding pass that has "TSA Precheck" or "Expedited screening" printed on it. This will allow you to use the expedited screening lane when boarding your flight.
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2Keep your light jacket and belt on. Passengers who are TSA PreCheck approved are not required to remove most articles of clothing during the screening process as they pass through security. This means that you can leave your light jackets and belts on.[2]
- In some cases, passengers may be asked to remove their belt, usually if it has large metal pieces on it.
- You will also be asked to remove heavy jackets, but you can keep light jackets and sweaters on.
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3Keep your shoes on. As part of the TSA PreCheck benefits, you won’t be required to remove your shoes in most cases. This can be a real time saver when you are hurrying to catch a flight.
- If your shoes have large metal pieces on them, you may be asked to remove them. But most people with TSA PreCheck approval are allowed to keep their shoes on.
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4Refrain from removing items from your luggage. In the TSA PreCheck line, you are not required to remove liquids from your bag or to take out electronics, even laptops. You can keep all of these items in your luggage and simply send your bag through the X-ray machine as is.[3]
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5Cooperate with any additional requirements. Remember that even TSA PreCheck approved passengers are still subject to additional screening if deemed necessary by TSA personnel. You should always follow any instructions given to you by TSA employees, even if you have TSA PreCheck status.
- You may be asked to submit to additional X-ray screening of your luggage, body scans, or even physical pat-downs.
Applying for the TSA PreCheck Benefits
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1Verify that you are a US citizen or resident. The TSA PreCheck program is only offered to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. You must be able to prove your residency standing during the application process.[4]
- Canadian citizens who have enrolled in the NEXUS program are also eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits.
- Citizens of a few select countries may also be eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits by signing up for the Global Entry program. This program is open to citizens of India, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and Mexican nationals.[5]
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2Fill out the online application. To begin the application process, visit the TSA’s PreCheck application webpage at https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/precheck. Click on “Apply Now” and start filling out the form. You will be asked to provide some personal details – like your name, address, birth date, recent employment history, and recent countries visited.
- Make sure that the name you enter on the application matches your name on your passport exactly. If the two differ in any way, you won’t be able to use the TSA PreCheck option.[6]
- As part of the application process, you’ll be asked to pay a non-refundable $85 US fee. This fee must be paid every 5 years when you renew your approval.
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3Pass TSA requirements for eligibility. The TSA has a few other requirements that must be met for PreCheck approval. Some possible reasons applications might be denied include:
- Incomplete or incorrect application information
- Violations of transportation security rules
- Disqualifying criminal offences[7]
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4Schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center. Once you’ve been initially approved via the online application process, you’ll need to schedule an in-person interview. Visit the TSA’s online Enrollment Center Locator at https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/locator to find a location near you.
- At the appointment, you’ll need to bring your passport and any other requested documents.
- The TSA agent will perform a background check, fingerprint you, and ask you a few straightforward questions about your personal details during the interview.
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5Add your Known Traveler Number to your frequent flier accounts. Once you pass the in-person interview and you’ve been approved for TSA PreCheck, you’ll be given a Known Traveler Number (KTN) which functions as your TSA PreCheck identifying number. You should add this number to your frequent flier accounts with every airline you use. Then your TSA PreCheck approval will automatically be added to each ticket that you buy from approved airlines.[8]
- If you book a flight with a carrier who participates in TSA PreCheck, but you don’t have a frequent flier account with them, remember to add your KTN to your ticket order before checkout. This will ensure that you still get approved for TSA PreCheck.
- If you don’t include your TSA PreCheck number when you book an airline ticket, you won’t be allowed to use the TSA PreCheck benefits at the airport.
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6Check to see what airports offer TSA PreCheck benefits. The TSA PreCheck program was initially available at just 4 U.S. airports, but has expanded to 160 airports nationwide in recent years. If you want to see which airports offer these services, visit the Transportation Security Administration’s Airports and Airlines website at https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/map.
- The website has an interactive map that allows you to view TSA PreCheck airport locations by state.
Expert Advice
Follow these steps to properly use TSA PreCheck at an airport:
- Apply for TSA PreCheck through their website or via Global Entry. Be aware that not all airlines participate in the TSA program.
- Add your TSA PreCheck number to your flight reservation.
- Check whether TSA PreCheck is noted on your boarding pass when you get your boarding pass.
- Use the TSA PreCheck security line if it's available and TSA PreCheck shows on your boarding pass. When you're going through the security line, there's no need to remove your shoes, coat, or laptop.
Community Q&A
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QuestionI am flying to Disney, and my tickets were booked by them. I didn't have a TSA PreCheck number at the time of the booking. Can I add it now?
Community AnswerYou should be able to add your number on the website of whatever airline you're flying (provided that airline supports TSA precheck). -
QuestionWhat do I do when my TSA Precheck does not appear on my boarding pass?
Community AnswerUnfortunately, not all airlines support TSA Precheck. You might be flying with one of those, so you'll have to go through the normal security line. -
QuestionDo I pay now or after I'm approved?
Community AnswerYou pay at the time of application. Not sure if the money would be refunded if you were rejected, you might want to look into that first.
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References
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/travel
- ↑ https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/security/tsa-precheck.jsp
- ↑ https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/tsaprecheck.html
- ↑ https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/security/tsa-precheck.jsp
- ↑ https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/eligibility
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq
- ↑ https://www.tsa.gov/Disqualifying-Offenses-Factors
- ↑ https://thepointsguy.com/2015/09/update-your-airline-profiles-with-your-known-traveler-number/
About This Article
Using TSA PreCheck gives you a few extra perks when going through airport security, like leaving your shoes on, going through shorter lines, and keeping liquids in your bag. When you arrive at the airport, go to the line marked TSA PreChecked passengers. You’ll need to show your boarding pass that has the TSA PreCheck approval on it. In this line, you won’t have to take off a light jacket or shoes and you can keep liquids and electronics in your bag. If you want to apply for TSA PreCheck benefits, you’ll have to be a U.S. citizen and fill out an online application. Be prepared to provide personal information, like your name, address, date of birth, employment history, and travel history. You’ll also have to pay a non-refundable 85 dollar fee every 5 years. Once you’ve been initially approved, you’ll have to schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center, bring your passport with you for verification, and be fingerprinted. To learn what airports offer TSA PreCheck benefits, keep reading!
