TSA Pre-check question

StarSong

StarSong

Awkward is my Superpower
Location
Los Angeles Suburbs
I'm wondering if anyone knows about the whims of airport TSA pre-check. I don't have a paid pre-check status but find that about half the time my plane ticket grants me that wonderful perk of not having to remove my shoes, fiddle with my laptop, or remove other things from my carry on baggage.

My husband and I recently flew a round trip from Burbank, CA to Portland, OR. We didn't have pre-check status on the way there but did have it on the return. It was booked as a round trip. Very odd.

Can anybody shed some light on the whys and wherefores of this?

Thanks!
 

Don't know what "pre-check" is, but do know that I didn't have to open the small carry-on luggage I had, when wife and I flew from Jacksonville, FL to Denver, CO. However, I did see a couple of people having their small carry-on gone thru by a TSA person. As I was putting on my boots, noticed a few different items that TSA was taking out and not allowing the people to take with them.

Wife and I went thru both checkpoints, going to Denver and leaving Denver, with absolutely no problems. Obviously, that sure doesn't happen with everyone. Funny thing is, the airlines tells ticket holders online exactly what they can have in a carry-on and what they can't...……..but, "people will be people" and do what they want. TSA then says "no you won't take that onboard".
 
I have a KTN from TSA, so that pre-check status typically prints on my boarding pass, but not always. I think, like the gods, TSA works in mysterious ways.
 

I usually have pre-check on most flights. I have no idea why, but I didn't have it on my flight out to Seattle. Maybe because I booked it just a couple hours before the flight. Coming back, I booked three days ahead and sure 'nuff, there it was! I'm always happy to not take off my shoes.
 
Before I was retired by United, the TSA had a huge push to try to get people to sign up for a KTN. To help to get people to understand the benefits of having a KTN, they allow the airlines to randomly select tickets being issued to include pre check status.

Obviously, the TSA’s program is continuing.
 
I always get pre-check, why, I don’t have a clue, but not complaining. I am a ‘known traveler’ through Alaska Airlines. Even that is a mystery to me.
 
I have to have a wheel chair so the attendant pushing me checks me and we go to the head of the line and onto my gate. I have heard of the pre check but was told I did not need it since I am pre screened anyway.
 
oldman said:
Before I was retired by United, the TSA had a huge push to try to get people to sign up for a KTN. To help to get people to understand the benefits of having a KTN, they allow the airlines to randomly select tickets being issued to include pre check status.

Obviously, the TSA’s program is continuing.
Click to expand...

Thanks for weighing in here. After reading your post I cruised over to the TSA website https://www.tsa.gov/precheck . I started reading it and thought $85 for 5 years isn't a bad deal. Went further down the page and saw that I have a credit card listed as one with a loyalty program that covers the precheck application fee. (Who knew?)

Life being what it is, of course our next flights are already booked so it's too late to grandfather them in, but if all goes well - and no reason why it shouldn't - the hubs and I should have precheck status for flights after that.

Can't tell you how delighted I am to have posed this question!
 
StarSong said:
Thanks for weighing in here. After reading your post I cruised over to the TSA website https://www.tsa.gov/precheck . I started reading it and thought $85 for 5 years isn't a bad deal. Went further down the page and saw that I have a credit card listed as one with a loyalty program that covers the precheck application fee. (Who knew?)

Life being what it is, of course our next flights are already booked so it's too late to grandfather them in, but if all goes well - and no reason why it shouldn't - the hubs and I should have precheck status for flights after that.

Can't tell you how delighted I am to have posed this question!
Click to expand...

I have a lifetime KTN. Just one of the benefits that I was given when I retired. I know that once you book the trip, you can’t apply your newly received KTN, but you may want to try going to the ticketing desk with your letter from the TSA showing your KTN. I don’t know if this is true, but I have been told by an acquaintance, (not a friend), that he did it with Spirit Airlines. I really doubt that this person was being truthful because I am pretty sure that this is a TSA rule, therefore, individual airlines cannot make their own rules regarding this issue. Maybe call your airline and ask? Next to going through security as part of an airplane crew, having the KTN is a really nice thing to have, if you fly several times a year like I do.
 
What I am about to write will probably sound selfish, but I am being truthful. Although the TSA is hoping more people will sign up for a KTN, I am hoping that they don't. I enjoy the short line that the TSA Pre-Check offers. I am like everyone else who does not like going through security, although I do realize its importance. There have been two times when I took something through the screeners that I shouldn't have been allowed and I made them aware of it. On both occasions, the screener's supervisor did not appreciate my honesty. It wasn't a test. I had just forgotten that I had the articles in my possession until I got to the hotel and then I mentioned it to the TSA supervisor when I returned to the airport for my return flight. On both occasions, I had no idea who the screener was, so it kept everyone out of trouble.
 
oldman said:
What I am about to write will probably sound selfish, but I am being truthful. Although the TSA is hoping more people will sign up for a KTN, I am hoping that they don't. I enjoy the short line that the TSA Pre-Check offers. I am like everyone else who does not like going through security, although I do realize its importance. There have been two times when I took something through the screeners that I shouldn't have been allowed and I made them aware of it. On both occasions, the screener's supervisor did not appreciate my honesty. It wasn't a test. I had just forgotten that I had the articles in my possession until I got to the hotel and then I mentioned it to the TSA supervisor when I returned to the airport for my return flight. On both occasions, I had no idea who the screener was, so it kept everyone out of trouble.
Click to expand...

I don't mind the long lines so much, or even unpacking my laptop, it's the full body screening that gets to me. I've been pawed most unpleasantly a couple of times for the dastardly crime of having a slight underwear wedgie. (Why that scanner can't tell the difference between a layer of wrinkled fabric and a weapon is beyond my comprehension.)
 
Using the pre-check line, I have never been asked to remove my laptop from its case. Now, however, I use an iPad and I pack that in my carry-on, so that I can remove it once onboard. This allows me to use the entertainment system, if the plane has one available. The screen that the planes give the passenger, which is on the seat back in front of the passenger is just too small.

I would like to get a KCM (Known Crew Member), which I used while an active pilot, but they refused me because I am retired. I had heard that retired pilots and flight attendants were able to get them, but I guess that was wrong information.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top