TSA Precheck

[Oaktree45]

My wife and I usually fly four times a year, so we decided to get the TSA precheck to make going through the airport security line a bit quicker. The process was easier than I thought it would be.

We filled out the online application and setup an appointment at the nearest TSA/Clear center for the next day. The nearest center was the St. Louis Galleria and we had no clue where the TSA kiosk was located. We entered that huge mall through the Nordstrom store and the kiosk turned out to be just outside Nordstrom’s mall entrance. That was luck.

The process was simple and fairly quick. They verified our identity with our passports, double checked the information we had entered online, and then took our fingerprints. The scanner couldn’t get a good image of the prints on my right hand, so after many attempts, they submitted my application. The cost was $77.95 per person.

I thought for sure the lack of prints from my right hand would slow the process, but 24 hours later we both had our Known Traveler Number in an email. We will be flying to Miami in early September so we will see if having the TSA precheck is worth it.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I don't fly as much as I used to, no longer a touring musician. Thanks for sharing your experience. It sounds much more simple and affordable than I expected. Cool. Now that I'm retired, if Mrs. BassCliff and I decide to do a lot of traveling, this is a viable option. Thanks!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[SimonRL]

So many people now have TSA precheck that depending on your flight the time saving is negligible. The nice part is not having to take off shoes and pull your laptop out etc.

 

[HansGruber]

So many people now have TSA precheck that depending on your flight the time saving is negligible. The nice part is not having to take off shoes and pull your laptop out etc.

This is true.

When my wife & I went to Hawaii a little bit ago, my 1st class ticket got me through security faster than her precheck by about 5 minutes.

 

[Shibadog]

I used to fly multiple times a month, so I went Pre-Check. Worked pretty well initially. Later it slowed a fair bit as a LOT of folks started using it. I let mine lapse after I retired. Some airports are still pretty fast, but some will not make a lot of difference. If I was still flying I’d have kept it.

 

[Certified Silly Goose]

I hate to admit it, I really do... but I just don't fly anymore. Not worth the hassle. If I have to go somewhere, I drive. If I can't drive there, then it's not worth going.

 

[OldGrunt]

I hate to admit it, I really do... but I just don't fly anymore. Not worth the hassle. If I have to go somewhere, I drive. If I can't drive there, then it's not worth going.

Same. And I'm a retired aircraft mechanic. I'm not afraid of flying, it's just my pure disdane of commerial flying. The only time I would fly commercial now, is if it was a matter of life and death. And I used to have the TSA precheck through my federal employee Department of Defense job. These days, if I can't drive there at my leisure, I don't go there.

 

[Certified Silly Goose]

I'm not afraid of flying, it's just my pure disdane of commerial flying.

This. Mostly. I'm a little afraid of flying, with the way things have been over the past few years. All set with DEI pilots and such. But it's mostly my disdain for the companies. When they started arresting people for lowering their masks to eat peanuts and throwing people off for having "Trump" masks, I was done.

 

[HansGruber]

I tend to go places where driving isn’t an option…unless they’ve built a bridge to Scotland I haven’t heard about.

Honestly, it’s a non-issue. I show up at the airport a couple hours before the flight, and if everything goes smooth, I’m in the premium lounge for a while, sucking down free Bloody Mary’s.

 

[HansGruber]

This. Mostly. I'm a little afraid of flying, with the way things have been over the past few years. All set with DEI pilots and such. But it's mostly my disdain for the companies. When they started arresting people for lowering their masks to eat peanuts and throwing people off for having "Trump" masks, I was done.

Good grief.

You know it’s the same test to be a commercial pilot, regardless of your skin color or gender, right?

You talked about virtue signaling in another thread—buddy, you just right wing virtue signaled in a BIG way.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I used to fly multiple times a month, so I went Pre-Check. Worked pretty well initially. Later it slowed a fair bit as a LOT of folks started using it. I let mine lapse after I retired. Some airports are still pretty fast, but some will not make a lot of difference. If I was still flying I’d have kept it.

I think that was the biggest advantage, shorter lines. Our tour manager would book us with Pre-check tickets quite often. People would think we were famous as we boarded with our instruments. Little did they know, we were just working stiff nobodies.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Waveslayer]

I fly almost weekly. TSA precheck is awesome at select airports. Some it doesn't matter because the lines can be longer, I can slip my shoes off and laptop out in a second.

 

[Model 457]

I paint my toe nails bright neon pink and don't wear socks when I have to fly.

 

[southtex]

I use pre check but Clear is the best, although it's in limited airports

 

[Annihilator]

I paint my toe nails bright neon pink and don't wear socks when I have to fly.

 

[Bassbob]

Flying is for the birds.

 

[Shibadog]

I fly almost weekly. TSA precheck is awesome at select airports. Some it doesn't matter because the lines can be longer, I can slip my shoes off and laptop out in a second.

That was my experience the last few years I worked. Some places you buzzed right through, at others the pre check line was sometimes longer/slower than regular. Encountered that at Nashville 1/2 the time.

 

[Lo-Profile]

Just a small airport here, no big lines.

 

[Talyn]

When I flew annually I had it and it was OK, but thats gone away so like HG I just show up real early & go thru fine.

 

[Oaktree45]

LOL, now that I think about it, the last time I flew back home was in March and the airport was so small they didn't have a TSA precheck line, they didn't need it. Only a few flights per day and 50 passenger planes. That was also the first airport I've been to that used a ramp instead of steps to get passengers on and off a plane. Also, the ticket agent became the gate agent and then became a ground crewman and placed the wheel chocks.