TSA PreCheck
Aug 28, 2016 08:32:19 #
nikonboy wrote:
When one considers the reason for the vast TSA security network in the first place it is a little disturbing to me that much of it can be bypassed with a relatively small payment to TSA. Am I the only one this bothers? I admit that TSA pre-check is much easier, but I worry about a security hole in there somewhere.
That payment to the TSA covers a background check.
I understand that a few airlines offered the Precheck service - when I flew USAir I got the Precheck.
Aug 28, 2016 08:34:49 #
Coming back to the US in June, from the UK, and passing through Dublin, I was required to go through what they called precheck. This involved the whole process, with shoes and belt and even a bank of machines to take your photo. I couldn't get an answer when I asked why I was having to go through this process when I had just come off a different aircraft, and had never left the 'secure' side of the airport. They just shrugged and said "this is how we do it..."
It did make things much easier when we got off at Dulles, and basically just walked out, granted. It is still somewhat ridiculous to have to go through a security check between connecting flights. Do they imagine that the originating airports are not performing security checks or something?
It did make things much easier when we got off at Dulles, and basically just walked out, granted. It is still somewhat ridiculous to have to go through a security check between connecting flights. Do they imagine that the originating airports are not performing security checks or something?
Aug 28, 2016 08:44:42 #
The system for getting Precheck and Global Entry is terribly flawed. It is grossly understaffed. I signed up months ago and went as scheduled last week for the interview and fingerprinting in Sanford (Florida). In spite of being an employee of the Department of Veteran's Affairs who has recently undergone fingerprinting and background checks, there is no sharing of such information. I even underwent a background check and fingerprinting to become a volunteer for the county at the Viera Wetlands. When I showed up in Sanford, their "computer system was down". The people waiting had driven from three hours away in Sarasota because the earliest interview they could get there was in 2017. One man had flown from Gainesville because he could not get an interview there until later in the year. We waited for hours to no avail. My interview is now scheduled in October.
Aug 28, 2016 08:46:50 #
Bloke wrote:
Coming back to the US in June, from the UK, and pa... (show quote)
That is absolutely the problem. Perhaps the aircraft you were getting on was the continuation of a flight from an airport that is deemed less secure. Unless the originating airport meets certain standards, this is what is done.
Aug 28, 2016 08:58:57 #
Being a Muslim is the best guarantee since the TSA has never caught a terrorist is very troubling to me.
Aug 28, 2016 08:59:56 #
It may also be the Airline you use. I get it all the time on United and Delta, but never for Spirit and I fly it a couple ties a year. Round trips NJ - FL or NJ - MA. I am ex-Military with Security Clearance up the wazoo but they are so old, like me, that they couldn't possibly be included in any up-to-date algorithm.
Aug 28, 2016 09:04:51 #
We don't fly that often. Once a year at best. 3 years ago we flew NY to FL. Going, my wife got recheck and I didn't. Coming home I did, too. Last year we both had PC going and coming. I even called and asked why. The agent didn't have an answer.
Our fingerprints are on file as NYC teachers, and we are retired senior citizens. We haven't moved in 10'years and before that about 15 years.
We're flying American, with Frequent Flyer miles mid September and I'm hoping that whatever allows us to have PC is still in effect.
Our fingerprints are on file as NYC teachers, and we are retired senior citizens. We haven't moved in 10'years and before that about 15 years.
We're flying American, with Frequent Flyer miles mid September and I'm hoping that whatever allows us to have PC is still in effect.
Aug 28, 2016 09:13:58 #
Never expect logic when dealing with TSA. I'm a retired federal officer and get pre-check about 20% of the time. When I was active in Law Enforcement before I retired I was going through the security line legally armed and was told by the TSA person that I could take my Glock but had to surrender my nail clipper as it had a sharp file on it. "That's the rules" I was told. Paying for Pre-Check is just another cost center for raising Money for the department.
Aug 28, 2016 09:14:54 #
My wife and I travel a lot and noticed that as our flight status increased, pre-check became more frequent. It use to be nice, but I have noticed that over the past two years or so, the number of people getting pre-check has increase, so no longer short pre-check lines. It's nice in larger airports, but in small airports, not much difference.
Aug 28, 2016 09:18:52 #
Npt Bob
Loc: Newport, RI
There seems to be no set rules. My wife gets it on most flights (understand the airline can grant a number on each flight).
I seldom get it. I had top secret clearance for 50 years working for Dept of Navy. We both hold Coast Guard captains licenses, with clearance issued by TSA for enterance into shipyards and ports, which we were required have to keep our CG license. BUT when I asked about pre check, was told our security check was only for shipyards, not flights.???
Also, my DON clearance doesn't count because I am now retired. As of a year ago if employed by or in the military you can opt in to get pre check.
I seldom get it. I had top secret clearance for 50 years working for Dept of Navy. We both hold Coast Guard captains licenses, with clearance issued by TSA for enterance into shipyards and ports, which we were required have to keep our CG license. BUT when I asked about pre check, was told our security check was only for shipyards, not flights.???
Also, my DON clearance doesn't count because I am now retired. As of a year ago if employed by or in the military you can opt in to get pre check.
Aug 28, 2016 09:27:46 #
Ed Chu wrote:
I have flown to LV 3-5 times a year since 2001, and, I think when you perhaps go to the same destination a lot the algorithm may give you the PreCheck; at any rate, I paid $85 each for my fiancée and me. NOTE; found out after the fact , that, apparently, if you sign up for Global Check for 5 years for $100, PreCheck is included
My wife and I signed up for Global Entry since we vacation in Europe every couple of years. This past month we flew out of JFK to France and had to go through the whole security routine at JFK. Is PreCheck only good for domestic flights? BTW, coming home with Global Entry couldn't have been easier - no lines and the kiosk check only takes a few minutes.
Aug 28, 2016 10:03:10 #
sb wrote:
That is absolutely the problem. Perhaps the aircraft you were getting on was the continuation of a flight from an airport that is deemed less secure. Unless the originating airport meets certain standards, this is what is done.
To my knowledge, there has never been a terrorist incident originating in Newcastle Upon Tyne. There was no difference in the screening I received at Dublin from the original screening I was given in Newcastle, apart from a machine where we had to be photographed while holding the boarding pass. There was no distinction made about *where* anyone came from - all passengers going through Dublin for the US had to go through this procedure.
Aug 28, 2016 10:16:59 #
Bloke wrote:
Coming back to the US in June, from the UK, and pa... (show quote)
Coming back from Ireland this past May my best girl and I had the same experience and we had the US Global Entry preferred traveler number on our boarding passes! We not only had to go thru the USA Precheck but also the Irish security at the airport beforehand. We could not get an answer either. I'm trying to get an answer from TSA
Aug 28, 2016 10:25:48 #
For several years I seemed to ALWAYS get the precheck. Now I don't. I think it's because they now want people to pay. If I were an evil person, you bet I'd pay for the precheck! Doesn't simply being able to BUY that service sort of defeat the purpose of checking at all? Can you tell I'm annoyed?
Aug 28, 2016 10:29:09 #
The individual airline chooses fliers to put on the list based upon an algorithym for identifying low risk passengers. Hence, you may get precheck with one airline and not with another. Southwest gave it to me without me asking or paying anything.
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