therwol Loc: USA

In the past two years, I've taken two round trips from Sacramento to Burbank on Southwest Airlines and two round trips from San Francisco to Newcastle (via London Heathrow) on British Airways. In all cases, I had TSA Pre on my boarding passes in the US. That would be six times, four on Southwest and two on BA. I never applied for this. Everything I've read in researching this says that it is random or possibly a reward for upper class customers. (No upper class on Southwest.) Does anyone know what's really going on? It sure is nice, but I'm not sure it's worth the formal application process.

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

If you go through the application process and get approved, you are guaranteed the Precheck for every flight. Otherwise it is random. Consider yourself lucky. I flew out to Oregon not too long ago. I was Pre for the return flight but not the flight out. Go figure.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Its apparently random and not class based, I've had it on and off on Southwest....sometimes the wife gets it, sometimes I get it, sometimes we both get it.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

Yes, many airlines have “joined” the TSA pre check program. I never formerly joined, but I was put on courtesy of Delta years ago. It is meant to shorten the regular TSA lines. Consider yourself a registered “good guy or gal”. :)

hogesinwa Loc: Dalyellup Western Australia

I think there are 2 different things being talked about here as if they are one and the same. A US citizen needs to clarify this but with regard to the TSA Pre itself, it is an assessment that they dont need to waste ad much time with you. I am Australian and my US tickets are TSA-Pre. Maybe because I come up on US Int systems as former Navy?

Dannj

I’ve been told it’s random. I’ve had times when traveling with my wife and both of us got it and sometimes only one of us...go figure.
We opted for the formal process as there was a processing center not far from our home. It took about half an hour.
You may also want to look into CLEAR (not available at all airports)which essentially eliminates any waiting if you have both Pre-check and CLEAR. Each has a fee but if you fly a lot it might be worth it.

Nicholas DeSciose

It’s because you’re old!

tommyII Loc: Northern Illinois

I had the same thing happen. I never applied, and my boarding pass had TSA Pre stamped on it. I just figured that I looked like harmless.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I had pre-check a bunch of times, then I didn't fly for a couple of years.
Then a trip didn't have it on the out-going leg, but did on the return.....
???

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

A counter clerk in LA once told me it is up to the person at the counter. They can add TSA Pre to your ticket if they like what they see.
I and the wife decided on applying for the new Global Entry Pass and went thru that process this spring. Although it was a pain in the butt, We now have the ability to bypass those long lines at security in the US. I had participated in the TSA Pre program, but with Global Access I no longer need TSA Pre. And since I payed for the program with an Amex card, Amex reimbursed me for the charge. If you travel a lot, I would recommend either of the programs, but Global Access gets you to the US Customs fast lane too.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

When I was flying a lot, I got a TSA precheck almost every time without applying. I think that regular fliers are likely to get it pretty regularly. It may also be because they have all my information (plus fingerprints) on file multiple times - military, passport, concealed carry permit, security clearance...

therwol Loc: USA

The last time we flew Southwest, we obtained our boarding passes at a self-service kiosk in the Sacramento airport, and they came out TSA-Pre. Just two days ago when checking in on BA for our flight to London, the agent asked if we had a TSA-Pre number. I explained that we did not, but that we had been getting TSA-Pre boarding passes for our recent flights, including another for the same flight on BA last year. He said that "someone did something they were not supposed to do." Then without entering anything in the system, our boarding passes came out TSA-Pre, and he seemed surprised and said that "it must be random."

I was hoping that someone working for an airline or the TSA would see this and offer an explanation. I can't believe it is a random occurrence. My wife and I fly approximately once or twice a year, so I don't believe that volume is the answer, but both of use have worked for the VA and had to be fingerprinted and have background checks run on us in the past. Is that the answer? I don't know.

I don't think that this could be entirely random. (Six boarding passes in a row split between two airlines with no connection to one another?) I would hope it isn't random for the sake of our security and safety when flying. Also, it doesn't seem fair to those who spent time and money to get their pre-screening.

One other thing I want to mention is that in the past, clearing the UK border always involved an interview with an agent. "Why are you coming to the UK? How long will you be staying? What are you going to do in Newcastle for two months?" (Vacation, two months, the airport near where we stay is in Newcastle.) Two days ago, we simply walked up to a station where our passports were scanned and the door opened. They must have some records on us to just let us in without any questions from a live person.

cincykid

I've never understood it. Prior to getting pre check I got it both ways.

Only advice I can give is that if you fly a lot, especially for business, it's better to be safe and on time.

Another thing to consider is applying for Global Entry if you travel internationally. It simplifies the process for entry back to the States. Costs $100 and also gives you Pre Check.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I just flew from Tampa to New York and back. I got pre check going but not on the way back. I guess it's random but it sure is nice, especially when you have a camera bag full of cameras and lenses and don't have to remove anything.

JDG3

It may be the credit card that you are using. This started happening to my wife and I a few years ago. We would have TSA precheck on some flights but not others. I just found out recently that when we flew Delta, my American Express Skymiles credit card, which I always use for Delta, automatically added the PreCheck to our tickets. However, when we flew other airlines, such as Allegiant or Frontier, which will not accept American Express, we never got PreCheck. After a little research on the American Express and Delta websites I found that it was a perk of American Express and Delta Skymiles.

My wife and I are now thinking of applying for the TSA PreChek number so we will have it always. But instead we may get the Global Pass which includes PreChek. We plan on doing more international travel so that may be more useful since it helps in customs when returning to the US.