TSA PreCheck - our first wonderful experience

On a recent family trip, we experienced TSA PreCheck for the first time. For those unfamiliar, TSA PreCheck allows users to get expedited screening through TSA security at airports. To receive access to this, users must pay an $85 application fee, complete an application/background check, and submit their fingerprints. If approved, users receive a Known Traveler Number that they would enter in future bookings.

When you receive your boarding passes (either physically or via airline apps) you will notice a TSA PreCheck designation on your passes. This grants users access to specially designated lines which were quite shorter than the standard lines. From what I observed, what was a 50+ person queue was a 10 person queue at Houston’s TSA PreCheck and what was a 100+ person queue was no wait at San Francisco’s TSA PreCheck.

The next thing I noticed was the rules are more lax which speeds up the process. You are allowed to keep on your shoes, belts, and light jackets. Laptops and small liquids could remain in your carry-ons.   

Also, the employees were much nicer. Maybe because the line is not so backed up, they seem less tense. For example, I had to go through the metal detector three times. Usually I expect them to be yelling at me like prison guards but they were actually pretty nice about it.    

Maybe I am getting spoiled but I enjoyed my first time experiences with TSA PreCheck and recommend it to everyone. Obviously when you are dealing with a baby, the less you have to wait in line anywhere the better. Better yet, membership lasts 5 years.

Some higher-end credit cards (like the American Express Platinum) offer to pay for your Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) application fees (Global Entry includes TSA Precheck). Credit cards like these offer benefits like this that makeup or exceed the high annual fees of the credit cards, you just have to take advantage of them. For instance, since authorized users are also given credit for extra TSA PreCheck application fees, we were able to acquire TiSA PreCheck membership for all our family members.