TSA PreCheck®

If you’ve traveled through domestic airports in the past few years, you’ve watched from the standard screening lane, eyes green with envy, as travelers enter the TSA PreCheck lanes and cruise right through while you’re left waiting in line.

Maybe one of the following ran through your head as you watched fellow passengers speed through the TSA PreCheck lane:

• “What if I miss my flight because I didn’t allow enough time for my security screening?”
• “Why don’t they have to take off their shoes? How do they make it look so effortless and easy?”
• “Why didn’t I register for TSA PreCheck last time I traveled?”

TSA PreCheck® is an expedited screening program that makes risk assessments about passengers prior to their arrival at an airport checkpoint. TSA PreCheck® enhances aviation security and provides a better travel experience. The program has expanded to more than 200 airports across the country and millions of passengers have enjoyed the benefits of this program since its inception.

TSA PreCheck® Benefits Travelers are not required to remove:

• Shoes
• Belts
• 3-1-1 compliant bag
• Light jacket/outerwear
• Laptop from bag

Eligible TSA PreCheck® travelers include U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents enrolled in TSA PreCheck®, members of the U.S. Armed Forces including those serving in the National Guard and reserves as well as government employees from select agencies, and passengers 12 and younger traveling with an eligible passenger. For a full list of eligibility, visit tsa.gov.

Eligible passengers flying both domestically and outbound internationally from participating airports, as well as passengers with connecting domestic flights who arrive in the United States on an international flight, may use the TSA PreCheck® lanes when going through the screening process.

Although these passengers are eligible for TSA PreCheck® benefits, TSA incorporates random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck® expedited screening benefits for a fee of $85, which is valid for five years. To apply for TSA PreCheck® or find a participating airport, visit tsa.gov.

Those already enrolled may renew their membership (https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/) up to six months before the expiration date to ensure the TSA PreCheck® indicator continues to appear on the boarding pass when traveling within or from the U.S. The cost is the same as initial enrollment: $85 for 5 years, which is $17 per year.

Source: www.tsa.gov/prechec