TSA Pre-Check

[Fat Elvis]

Anyone do TSA Pre-Check? If so, how long does the application process take? Looks like you have to pre-apply, and then take documents into a special service location and get fingerprinted. After that, how long does it take to get your pre-check approved?

Thanks!

Fat E

[alpha_omega]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I walked into a Staples and did it in a couple minutes

Think I waited a week or so for it to fully process

Exactly this. And worth every penny.

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I walked into a Staples and did it in a couple minutes

Think I waited a week or so for it to fully process

I wish we could do that around here; the closest place to Topeka is in Manhattan according to the TSA Prescreen website. I did the pre-application; I will be in Manhattan next week for a presentation but I need the Pass about a week later so I didn't know if that would be enough time.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by DaFace

When I came back from Japan, they had just moved to facial recognition, and it was INSANELY fast with Global Entry. I'm not exaggerating when I say I barely broke stride going through immigration. Probably like 3 seconds at the kiosk, and the agent yelled my name and said I'm good to go on through.

Exactly! We just did the same from Canada. It was glorious!

[Monty]

Originally Posted by Bwana

Yeah I have Global entry myself and that also comes with the Pre. I think it took around a month for it to show up after I went through the song and dance. DEFINETLY worth it.

On a side note, I screwed myself out of another knife last week. I always carry a knife and I forgot to stick it in my checked bag. I remembered just as I was at the point where I had to start sticking my stuff in totes. If I would have noticed it earlier, I would have tossed it into my backpack and hoped they missed it. When I handed it to TSA the guy says "Do you want to surrender this?" I said "**** no, but I assume I don't have much of a choice." I did that one other time here at the local airport, but figured it out just before going through security. I jumped out of line and buried it in a plant pot. It was still there when I returned from the trip.

This reminds me of all the Torchlighters that I’ve lost in my travels due to forgetting them in my backpack. on one trip back from Cabo, I told the female agent to tell her husband to enjoy his new lighter. 😎

I heard another story recently, where an agent confiscated his knife here at DFW and the guy found it about three months later at a pawnshop in Austin.

[LagunaSWana]

Originally Posted by Monty

I’ve noticed the same thing lately. It’s a bit frustrating, but it’s only been a few minutes difference. if you travel internationally, global entry is a must.

If you even think you MIGHT travel internationally in the next 5 years, Global Entry is a must. It's like $20 more and TSA Pre is included. My wife and I returned from our honeymoon at LAX and it saved us, at minimum, and hour and probably more. Our whole flight was held in a hallway just to get to the escalator to get up to immigration. The agent was announcing that anyone with their GE cards should come to the front. Since we had ours, we were allowed to go up to immigration. There, of course, was a long serpentine line to get to the booths to get passports checked. We just went to the GE kiosk, got our faces scanned, and walked right through. We went down to baggage claim and our bags were literally some of the last ones off, but we had our bags and were walking out the exits before even a single other person from our flight even made it down to baggage claim.

Also, if you live near a border crossing to Mexico (we live in San Diego), GE includes Sentri which can save you HOURS at the border. The catch is that every person in the car must have their GE card. However, those that don't can get out and use the pedestrian crossing which might be 30 minutes rather than 2-5 hours in the regular car line.

[LagunaSWana]

Originally Posted by Bwana

On a side note, I screwed myself out of another knife last week. I always carry a knife and I forgot to stick it in my checked bag. I remembered just as I was at the point where I had to start sticking my stuff in totes. If I would have noticed it earlier, I would have tossed it into my backpack and hoped they missed it. When I handed it to TSA the guy says "Do you want to surrender this?" I said "**** no, but I assume I don't have much of a choice." I did that one other time here at the local airport, but figured it out just before going through security. I jumped out of line and buried it in a plant pot. It was still there when I returned from the trip.

My stepson came back from Nicaragua last month and had his pocketknife in his carry-on backpack. Didn't realize it until he got home and unpacked. Maybe the security in Nicaragua isn't air tight.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Honestly I don't even think you have to do the pre-application.

Go right up to the CLEAR personnel inside the airport and they can get you signed up with fingerprint, picture, etc in about 15 minutes. Done on the CLEAR computer.

You will get your KTN emailed/texted to you within 3-5 days.

I'm not sure this is entirely correct. TSA PreCheck members pass through a traditional metal detector rather than a full body scanner (which some people find invasive). And you’ll usually get through security much faster: According to the TSA, about 99% of PreCheck-eligible passengers waited ten minutes or less.

Plus for TSA PreCheck, it is for $77.95 - $85 ($68.95 - $70 online renewal), depending on application servicer. But this lasts you 5 years.

Clear on the other hand using biometric data to identify travelers (rather than manually checking photo identification), Clear machines allow flyers to bypass long security queues and get to a TSA screening point faster. This, however, does NOT come along with TSA PreCheck stuff. So if the OP value not having to remove shoes, electronics, liquids and outerwear, OP will also want to apply for TSA PreCheck.

Clear also is expensive ($199) and have to renew it annually.

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by Coach

I'm not sure this is entirely correct. TSA PreCheck members pass through a traditional metal detector rather than a full body scanner (which some people find invasive). And you’ll usually get through security much faster: According to the TSA, about 99% of PreCheck-eligible passengers waited ten minutes or less.

Plus for TSA PreCheck, it is for $77.95 - $85 ($68.95 - $70 online renewal), depending on application servicer. But this lasts you 5 years.

Clear on the other hand using biometric data to identify travelers (rather than manually checking photo identification), Clear machines allow flyers to bypass long security queues and get to a TSA screening point faster. This, however, does NOT come along with TSA PreCheck stuff. So if the OP value not having to remove shoes, electronics, liquids and outerwear, OP will also want to apply for TSA PreCheck.

Clear also is expensive ($199) and have to renew it annually.

I just did this a couple months ago inside of the KCI airport.

There are CLEAR terminals right next to the Dunkin Donuts shop. (Not the ones you use in the TSA/CLEAR security line). There should be an attendant that is assisting.
You don't have to sign up for the CLEAR service as you can just get your TSA Pre using the Clear computer. They took my picture, fingerprints, and I swiped my credit card right on the machine. Got my KTN in 3 business days through text message.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

I just did this a couple months ago inside of the KCI airport.

The CLEAR terminals are right next to the Dunkin Donuts shop. There should be an attendant that is patroling these and signing people up.
You don't have to sign up for CLEAR, you can just get your TSA Pre using the Clear computer. They took my picture, fingerprints, and I swiped my credit card right on the machine. Got my KTN in 3 business days through text message.

I get that. But you still will need TSA Precheck if you want to go through the quicker screening and not having to remove shoes, belts, electronics, etc.

At least that is my understanding, because Clear and TSA Precheck are two different entities?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Coach

I get that. But you still will need TSA Precheck if you want to go through the quicker screening and not having to remove shoes, belts, electronics, etc.



At least that is my understanding, because Clear and TSA Precheck are two different entities?

They're different programs, but I believe CLEAR bundles in the Precheck fees for your first year. You're right that CLEAR itself has limited benefit if you don't otherwise have Precheck.

[Bob Dole]

All of this is why I have not flown commercial in 15 years and will never again fly commercial. Not just no, but HELL no.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by DaFace

They're different programs, but I believe CLEAR bundles in the Precheck fees for your first year. You're right that CLEAR itself has limited benefit if you don't otherwise have Precheck.

True, I do see that they can be bundled TSA PreCheck and Clear, it’ll cost $199.95, which saves you about $66 off the full price of both programs. If that is what Molitoth was trying to say, that makes sense then.

I still am not sure Clear is that valuable in itself for the fact that it just gives you a quicker access in the line. On the other hand, I can see that would be more beneficial if one was living in a big major city (Chicago, NYC, etc.) and/or busier airports.

Still think the price value for Clear is too high for a limited benefit, but that is just my opinion.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

All of this is why I have not flown commercial in 15 years and will never again fly commercial. Not just no, but HELL no.

We're very different people. Not only do I fly a lot, but I keep an ongoing map to track it. Here's my 2024.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by DaFace

They're different programs, but I believe CLEAR bundles in the Precheck fees for your first year. You're right that CLEAR itself has limited benefit if you don't otherwise have Precheck.

Originally Posted by Coach

True, I do see that they can be bundled TSA PreCheck and Clear, it’ll cost $199.95, which saves you about $66 off the full price of both programs. If that is what Molitoth was trying to say, that makes sense then.

I still am not sure Clear is that valuable in itself for the fact that it just gives you a quicker access in the line. On the other hand, I can see that would be more beneficial if one was living in a big major city (Chicago, NYC, etc.) and/or busier airports.

Still think the price value for Clear is too high for a limited benefit, but that is just my opinion.

Of course, if one has an American Express card that does cover this or reimburse you for this, then that's probably a good value in itself.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Coach

True, I do see that they can be bundled TSA PreCheck and Clear, it’ll cost $199.95, which saves you about $66 off the full price of both programs. If that is what Molitoth was trying to say, that makes sense then.



I still am not sure Clear is that valuable in itself for the fact that it just gives you a quicker access in the line. On the other hand, I can see that would be more beneficial if one was living in a big major city (Chicago, NYC, etc.) and/or busier airports.



Still think the price value for Clear is too high for a limited benefit, but that is just my opinion.

Nah, I agree. I wouldn't do CLEAR if I didn't have a credit card that covers it.

CLEAR>Precheck>>>>>>>>>>>>nothing