TSA's Expanded PreCheck Program Set to Change Airport Security

[LL_Travelfan]

Here is an interesing article on TSA's Expanded PreCheck Program Set to Change Airport Security by Caroline Costello


Soon you may no longer have to shuffle shoeless through the metal detector while holding up your pants. A new, faster screening program is shaking up airport security as we know it, possibly allowing select travelers to stay fully dressed—belt, shoes, and all—while passing through the security lane.

PreCheck, an expedited passenger-screening program, will expand to 28 additional U.S. airports this year, according to a press release on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website. PreCheck is a program that permits prescreened flyers to go through a separate, faster security line that may not involve the removal of shoes, jacket, belt, etc. Travelers who've joined the program, which is currently only available at seven test hubs, will soon be able to hustle through a streamlined security queue at 35 domestic airports. Currently, more than 336,000 people are members of PreCheck.
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The program is free, although for now, it's only available to travelers flying with Delta or American at those seven select airports (Dallas, Miami, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Detroit). The TSA hopes to loop additional airlines into the program as it sets up PreCheck in more airports this year.

Those who fly frequently with participating airlines, as well as members of Trusted Traveler programs such as Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS, are eligible to sign up. Previously, American and Delta sent out emails to frequent flyers that contained instructions on signing up for the program, so it's safe to assume that your preferred airline will issue an email announcement with details on joining if it gets onboard the PreCheck program. United, US, and Alaska plan to participate in PreCheck by the end of 2012.

Another way to join is by visiting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and signing up for a Trusted Traveler program. You will have to go through an initial screening process and background check. Once approved, you'll receive a special barcode on your boarding pass that will give you access to separate PreCheck boarding lanes at participating airports.

Just how much time will this save you? The TSA is tight-lipped about the exact details of the PreCheck process. According to the agency's website, "no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening in order to retain a certain element of randomness to prevent terrorists from gaming the system." So no promises. But it's probable you'll face a shorter line, as the bulk of passengers going through security won't belong to the program.

Moreover, you may be able to wear your shoes throughout the airport screening process ... and your coat, belt, and jacket, too. With a tinge of ambiguity, the TSA states that some travelers might get to keep all their clothes on, while leaving laptops and plastic baggies inside carry-on bags as well.

Do you plan to sign up for PreCheck?

[[email protected]]

I was going to sign up but I see it is only for a few airlines now - ones that I have never used. I am hoping it gets expanded to other airlines! I did look into the global entry and it is $100 for 5 years - I may do that.

[kyshel]

Global Entry is great! You bypass the lines at places like JFK or ATL or ORD, and poof!! there's the kiosk with a few folks zipping thru...

[jmbklj]

I was flying out of Detroit last fall when the TSA prescreener looked at my boarding pass, he told me to move over, across 3 lines of passengers, to a 4th line (with no one in it) and to walk around the corner. And when I didn't do so, he kept telling me to walk in front of all these waiting passengers. I felt bad about doing so, but he insisted. Once I rounded the corner, there was another TSA checkpoint and they explained the pilot program that I had been "enrolled in". It was GREAT! I didn't have to pull out my laptop and kept my shoes on, just put my things on the conveyor and off I went. There was no one else in the line at all! But I'm sure that will change; it was just a new pilot program at the time. This PreCheck program was originally piloted in the TSA lines by the Delta ticket counters in Detroit & Atlanta.

Funny thing, I don't think I signed up but I vaguely recall an email from Delta evidently sent to some of its FF'ers about it. Either I signed up and didn't recall doing so, or Delta provided the info to TSA for some of its FF'ers to be included in the pilot program. I think it was the latter.

It will probably be a long time before we get the program in my home airport since it's not one of the larger ones and not a hub for any airline.

I also had the same pleasure earlier this year when flying out of MSP.

[jsattapr2]

Hey, I have this great concept. See if you can follow me.

First I create this huge government bureaucracy design to 'protect' the over-governed/over-taxed workers. Once I have the bureaucracy up and operating, I will begin to utilized them to slow down and inconvenience air travelers and of course, bestow upon them quasi-police powers to intimidate and body search travelers. I will arm this bureaucracy with invasive x-ray devices and suggest they pay particular attention to children and the elderly.

When the lines of travelers grow long and restless, I will develop addition jointly privatized revenue system to allow those with adequate financial resources to utilize a bypass route, for which they must pay!

Eventually, I would develop another system for these long lines of travelers, who were willing to complete applications providing more details about their personal lives to join a select group who would be allowed to jump the long lines and move to an express line. Of course, I would have much more data on these individuals and could track their domestic travel trends.

Yes, this is just preposterous and I realize the entire idea would never been permitted to exist in a free country.

Silly me.

[LL_Travelfan]

jsattapr2,
I was chuckling at your description and your conclusion, but the whole world is in the same boat.
We just went through London Heathrow, and it was worse. We had to check out of the international zone and then go through the whole thing all over again flying to Germany. I think we all got hit with these security issues after 9/11.
Perhaps, there is some good in these careful checks, we really don't know how many people get caught with these security checks. On the other hand they only found the shoe bomber, the underware bomber, etc. in the air after they had gotten through the security checks.

[Mountie]

I don't really mind the TSA lines.

I enjoy watching and listening to so many people 'bitch' about their ordeals. Plus, I enjoy the body odors associated with disrobing and removing of foot coverings. It's similar to a Third World chicken bus trip without receiving a new stamp in my passport.

No interest in Global Entry or express lines for me. I'm sticking with the loving and warm pat downs whenever possible!

[[email protected]]

My neighbor works for the TSA and he has told me a few stories! A lot of these security procedures do catch things, however, if the bad guys really, really want to do the plane things again - they could since there are still some unsecure areas - baggage areas especially. I think most of this security stuff is mostly "dressing" to make us all feel safe. I did read that Philly international is gearing up to do the pre-check thing. I am waiting for United/Continental to join Delta and AA in doing this so I can get the FF email "inviting" me to join since so far the only way to sign up and have the pre-check identified on your boarding pass, etc. is for the airline you use as a FF to invite you to join. It was not very clear that if you pay to join Global Entry will you have the pre-check identified on your boarding pass, etc. and not have to take off your shoes, etc. It looks like you still have to do this in the global entry line?

[kyshel]

Global Entry is only for passport control/customs--not security. You just skip the lines at immigration--today it took me 20 seconds. I gave the customs agent my receipt. All he asked was where I'd been and why. Told him I ate my way thru Barcelona and was going home to starve for a few days.

[[email protected]]

Just got our conditional approval for Global entry and have our interviews on April 4th - we were invited by United for the pre-check program - just have to wait for Philadelphia airport to institute it!