TSA Precheck without applying? (Page 2): I fly United Economy from the U.S. to Bangkok one or two times a year. I have never applied for TSA Pre but my ticket for the U.S. leg of the...

Sendai5355 Loc: On the banks of the Pedernales River, Texas

I fly United Economy from the U.S. to Bangkok one or two times a year. I have never applied for TSA Pre but my ticket for the U.S. leg of the flight has been marked with TSA Pre. I'm not sure why I am given that designation. Returning to the U.S. I'm not given that designation.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

TSA Pre is definitely worth the money, if your time means anything to you - most of the time. On the other hand, there are now so many people enrolled, and in some airports there are relatively few TSA Pre lines set up, so it is easier upon occasion to go through the regular TSA lines than through the TSA Pre check-in system. We also have Clear, which is better in most cases than just TSA Pre. Moreover, I understand that in some venues, like stadiums and concert locations, security is getting tighter by the week, and Clear is setting up there, as well. But the more people that sign up to Clear, will that also become overloaded?

GregS Loc: Central Illinois, USA

Another way to have Pre Check is if you are Retired Military. It's supposed to be automatic.
Im retired Military, never applied, and always have it. My wife also gets it. Sure makes it nice!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

GregS wrote:

Another way to have Pre Check is if you are Retired Military. It's supposed to be automatic.
Im retired Military, never applied, and always have it. My wife also gets it. Sure makes it nice!

That's good to hear, it's the least we can do for those who made a career defending us!

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I have not seen any of you mention Pre with Global Entry. We went through the interview process, and now when returning to the US, we get to go into the short line. That is also very helpful at London Heathrow. I thought it was worth the price too.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

stanikon wrote:

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.

My wife and I have gone through the application process and have been approved. Yet we occasionally are not listed as pre check on our boarding passes. When we have asked some of the TSA personnel we were told it is always random even if approved.

We both also have applied and been approved for Global Entry that is supposed to have Pre check included. Yet we are not always listed as Pre check.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

elliott937 wrote:

I have not seen any of you mention Pre with Global Entry. We went through the interview process, and now when returning to the US, we get to go into the short line. That is also very helpful at London Heathrow. I thought it was worth the price too.

A couple of people have mentioned it.

Dennis

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I am probably way too anal about details, but before every flight, I call the airlines, usually Delta, and confirm that our ticket will reflect Pre check. I've always been given the affirmative.

Dannj

elliott937 wrote:

I am probably way too anal about details, but before every flight, I call the airlines, usually Delta, and confirm that our ticket will reflect Pre check. I've always been given the affirmative.

This is funny. I called Delta with the same question and the agent said was random, there was nothing she could do about it.
From reading thru this thread it seems that the only consistency is the inconsistency.
I’ve opted to pay for Pre-check. I’ll use it enough to justify it. I’m also trying CLEAR for a year. So far, all’s been good...show my boarding pass to the CLEAR agent, make sure my eyes “match” and go the head of the Pre-check line. 5 minutes?

Ghery Loc: Olympia, WA

I've had Global Entry for a bit over 5 years. TSA Pre-check comes with it. You can pay $90 for TSA Pre or $100 for Global Entry and TSA Pre. No brainer for me. I travel internationally several times a year and domestically a few times, as well. TSA Pre-check allows you to keep you stuff in your carry-on, keep your shoes on and "enjoy" shorter lines. It's almost like security was before 9/11 (except you still have to deal with the TSA drones).

BTW, it was time to renew my Global Entry earlier this year. I applied a month before it expired and finally got the new card in August. They're still blaming the government shutdown the beginning of the year. I think it's an excuse. The bottom line is that you should apply well before your first anticipated need.

JDG3

Dannj wrote:

This is funny. I called Delta with the same question and the agent said was random, there was nothing she could do about it.
From reading thru this thread it seems that the only consistency is the inconsistency.
I’ve opted to pay for Pre-check. I’ll use it enough to justify it. I’m also trying CLEAR for a year. So far, all’s been good...show my boarding pass to the CLEAR agent, make sure my eyes “match” and go the head of the Pre-check line. 5 minutes?

I think you have to provide the KTN (known traveler number) EACH time you make reservations. I do not think that just getting approved for pre chek gets it for you in every flight after that. Also if you are a member of one of the airline rewards program and you register your KTN with them on your profile, it will automatically be made available when you make reservations with your airline. I know Delta's Skymiles rewards program even keeps track of what seats we prefer and provides no charge checked luggage fees. Many of the other airlines offer similar perks. I would think this extends to pre chek.

Ghery Loc: Olympia, WA

JDG3 wrote:

I think you have to provide the KTN (known travele... (show quote)

UA does the same with their frequent flying program. I always have TSA Pre marked on my boarding passes and the KTN is recorded when I buy my tickets.

billmck Loc: Central KY

My wife and I regularly get TSA Pre-Check when flying Delta. I’m a Delta Million Miler, don’ Know if that has anything to do with it.

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

My wife and I are thinking about getting the pre check since we like the shorter line and I hate practically disrobbing (shoes, belt, watch, cell phone, iPad out of carry-on, and jackets I am wearing one) to go through security. If a certain age you are not required to take off your shoes.

I work for UA and my wife and I fly standby and we get the Pre check quite regularly even if it has been several months since either of us has flown.

We tried the clear and decided it was not worth what they were charging and it wasn't giving anything that the pre check was giving so we cancelled before the trial period was up.

Popeye Loc: LifIno

For years I traveled from Los Angeles to Washington DC under government orders. Next to the last year of gainful employment I found myself on the no fly list. Why you may ask? No one seemed to know.