According to an article on NPR, TSA is trying to up their pre-check numbers…big time. They are hoping to ease long airport security lines by pre-screening passengers who are a non-threat and giving them the pre-check stamp of approval. Pre-check means they get to go into a special line, they don’t remove their shoes, their laptops, etc. Usually, they are through security in mere minutes.
The article suggested that the idea of pre-check is to remove the 99% of the population that does not pose a security threat PRIOR to them having to wait in long lines. The process requires applying for pre-check status. Oh, and it comes with an $85 application fee. That application fee will buy you 5 years of pre-check status. TSA is really pushing it, because they get lower customer satisfaction rating the longer their customers stand in line {a factor they can’t really control}. If they can get the majority of their customers through the lines, and happier with their overall flight experience, they win too.
Although I’ve thought about doing the whole pre-check thing to expedite my waiting in line at airport security, I am still unwilling to drop $85 dollars to do it. Most of the time, I wait 15-30 minutes in a line, so it’s not really a huge inconvenience in my mind. Maybe it would be different if I were traveling with small children or if I were a business traveler?
What do you think, would you pay the fee to skip the lines?
~Mavis
Cheri says
I live in the Denver metro area, where I have seen dreadful security lines and been in a couple that worried me. I have also heard of other cities with even worse security lines. I am at the point where, yes, I will pay the $85 the next time I have to fly, which will be next June. For five years, I think it will be worth it not to have to worry about a nasty surprise when I arrive at the airport.
Teresa Young says
I never thought I would do this, but the last few times we have departed from our local airport, the TSA lines have been atrocious, to the point where people were upset about missing their flights. So, we bit the bullet. We have an upcoming trip with the granddaughters & it is going to be so awesome to skip the security line.
I told my husband now we have to take lots of trips to get our money’s worth from the $85 fee 🙂
Erica says
For some reason I was given precheck status the last time I flew domestically. (I didn’t apply for it.) So, I took the kids and my husband stood in the regular line. Big mistake. Getting three kids, all their gear, and a stroller through the metal detectors took so much longer with only one adult. He was done before we were.
Mrs. C. says
Yes. A few years ago, I was flying every week. When I do fly now, it’s usually very long flights. The TSA is atrocious, and the ability to get through those lines quickly is worth it.
Cassandra says
You live in Washington so you can actually get a Nexus pass for $50 that is good for 5 years for Pre✔️, GOES (Global Entry), easy entry in to Canada and something else that I can’t remember right now. We fly enough that it was well worth the money.
Marcia says
I’m not even sure you have to always pay. I seem to think that sometimes you are eligible for it anyway?
In any event, I wouldn’t pay for it because I don’t fly much.
If I were flying for business and pleasure a lot (more than once a year), it might be worth it.
Gwenn says
Sometimes an airline will give you free pre-check….it’s a way to get you to find out how great it is so you will want to pay for it. It kinda worked for me….I got the free pre-check three times and it was pretty nice and eventually got me to buy in.
Carrie says
It is the TSA system that randomly gives out pre check to those who do not have it.
(An airline employee)
Lori says
Just a note. It takes about 30 days to get your TSA Precheck number. I have it because I travel weekly for work, and lines at some airports (I’m looking at you, Atlanta) are horrid.
It is worth every penny for me.
Diana says
My children have it as they travel for business. The last three times my husband and I have flown we were given Precheck on our tickets which saved us so much time. Evidently the participation in the program has been less than what was expected, so they have the facilities set up, but not the expected number of people. By randomly giving Precheck to some it makes use of the area, as well as introduces it to people who may decide to participate after they see how much time they save.
Lynne says
I read an article in a magazine recently about this. In at least a few airports, the lines for those with TSA preclearance were getting as bad as the general lines. Depending on where you travel and how flexible your schedue, avoiding the main travel times might be the best and cheapest option
Gwenn says
Hey Mavis – I actually paid $100 for the Global Pre-Check which is TSA Pre-Check upgraded to get you through customs by using a card (looks like your drivers license with your picture on it) they give you in a kiosk and avoiding the lines for 5 years. It is a lot of money but I figure that my time is worth it. If I’m flying for work I don’t want to have to arrive at the airport any earlier than I have to.
Linda says
I get tired of being charged for every service I am (or someone else is) already paying for! We pay taxes to fund TSA, and then they want to charge us to move us through the lines quicker so they won’t have so many complaints? Have you priced a passport lately? Bought a marriage license? Gone to a national park and paid a hefty sum to enter the lands owned by the people? We continuously pay additional fees to keep the people our taxes hired busy.
I get pre-check on my tickets often -to do this “they’ either already know when you book a flight whether you are a security risk, or they are pre-checking people who ARE a security risk. Which is it? And if they already know, why do they need $85 to allow you pre-check? And if they don’t know, why are they willing to subject just anyone to less scrutiny? Security varies widely by place – the tightest security I have endured in the US was in Portland, Maine – a tiny airport that flies few passengers out on small planes. AND…..Despite all the security checks, TSA has failed to pass ANY of the sanctioned tests to see how well security works.
As more travelers pay $85 for the pre-check pass, those lines will get longer. If you are angry at the time in lines now, think how un-amused you’ll be standing in the pre-check line for ages after paying $85. But I’m sure they’ll add an additional pre-check tier. Maybe Gold Pre-check. Isn’t that what the airlines do for boarding flights?
Thanks, now I feel better. There’s the nurse now with my sedative…..
Teresa Young says
Ha – loved your closing line, Linda!
kelliinkc says
My thoughts exactly. I guess I hadn’t heard about paying this $85. I do get it free periodically when I fly. I have no intention of voluntarily paying for it at this time.
Karin says
No way will I pay. If TSA wants better ratings then they should provide better service! If they want people to get through line faster, they should offer the pre-check service for free. The last 2 times we went through Bradly (CT) my innocent looking, tiny, 85 lb, intellectually disabled, 19 year old daughter was patted down!!! And that was after going through the x-ray scanner! She was so scared and upset that they thought she looked “bad”. WTF, TSA? Too scared to pat down the big burley men so you pick on tiny disabled girls??? Sorry for that rant… I’ve been stewing on this TSA thing for a while…
Lucy says
I flew out of DIA last week and was given a free pre check status…..yay no long line!!! Booooo I was randomly selected for a pat down & bag search!!!! Lol, exactly my kind of luck! HA!
Jan Kuester says
Beginning 2017 there will be fewer and fewer “free” pre check statuses given by the airlines. I bit the bullet and paid for one big reason: I don’t have to take my shoes off. No, am not afraid of getting dirty feet. 🙂 I have an idiopathic neuropathy (non diabetic) and it is excruciating to walk across all the different surfaces. So, I am one in a million and paid up so I can be comfy. Otherwise….no way. Our lines at the Hilo airport are non-existent, so no need to worry about those.
Aloha!
Veronica says
Pre check is so worth it! $17 per year. To nowt have to remove your light jacket, shoes liquids baggie, or laptop is worth it. You literally barely have to stop. Especially in airports that are slow, it would be a lifesaver.
Danielle says
It’s hard to justify the expense for a family of 4…. That would be over $300!
E in Upstate NY says
Earlier this fall, my husband, oldest son and I flew from Albany NY to Sacramento CA. My husband is disabled and when walking further than 50 ft, uses a wheelchair. Because of the wheelchair, all three of us were pulled out of the line. (purchased tickets together and we had boarding passes on one cell.) While my son and I didn’t have much to do to go through TSA, my husband and rented wheelchair went through a “pat” down like never I’ve seen before. After it was all over, our son made the comment that he bet that the last time my husband had been felt up like that was by me in our bedroom! It was unbelievable. Even other passengers were staring at what he had to go through. What made it worse, was that it was a “training” session, so he got each “inspection” twice.
The TSA agent in charge did say that because he was under 70 years of age and in a wheelchair, he received the “special” treatment. And furthermore, if we traveled a lot (we don’t, this was a bucket list trip) we should buy the pass to avoid this inspection. Guess they figure that if you are over 70 and in a wheelchair, you can’t be dangerous. My oldest brother confirms that 70 is a threshold for less inspection. (He does fly a lot.) The trip home, from San Francisco to Albany NY, was easy and fast by comparison.
So to answer your question, it depends. If we flew more that once in 10 years, I’d consider it. Once a year, you bet I would. Though, I’d ask if I get a refund if my husband dies before the 5 years are up.
Amanda says
I have the TSA Pre check. It is so worth it. For smaller airports (I live in Kansas City), it isn’t really necessary. But for the larger airports, it is a life saver. $85/5 years isn’t too much. I also was flying at least twice a month when I got it, so the amount was spread over a large number of flights. Now it’s just a nice perk
Brooke says
NEXUS is only $50 and gives thae same benefits, plus extras. So no, I would not pay $85, but I would pay $50, esp if it also means I can reduce my wait coming back home from Vancouver via car when we visit. https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-traveler-comparison-chart
NanC says
Think about doing Global Entry for $100 for 5 years – it’s worth the effort and time. It includes TSA Pre-check, Nexus, & Global Entry. You can do the $50 Nexus one (and it does include Pre-Check and Global Entry but you have to go up to the border and do interviews with BOTH US and Canadian Customs officials). For the Global Entry you just go to Sea-Tac (we had an appt and were in and out within 30 minutes – there were people from all over the country waiting there with and without apps). When we went to London over the summer I figured it saved my daughter and I at least 6 hours of standing in line (London is now an official global entry destination, it wasn’t this summer but they gave us a special pass to use their version and it saved us HOURS of time waiting in line). Also, if you fly domestic make sure your airline uses Pre-check (Alaska and Delta do). Also, if you have a child under 12 traveling with you – they can “use” yours. For $20 dollars a year I find it my BEST BUY of the year with all the hours it saves me not standing in line!
Sadie says
Our family decided that the $85 for my husband and me was worth it. We fly a couple times a year and out of a large airport (either Philly or Newark). Our children are both under 12 so they can go through the Pre-Check line with us. Obviously it depends on your family and what priorities you have.
Emily says
FYI there are some credit cards out there that offer either the Global entry or the TSA precheck for free as a benefit! If you travel a lot I would look into it or if you just want to get the precheck for free!