If you travel regularly to explore new destinations, you can’t escape from the long queues of airport security checks that are usually exhausting. However, the TSA PreCheck program acts as a propeller that will expedite your security check procedure. During the checking, you don’t need to take off your belt or shoes, remove your small liquid and electronic devices. TSA PreCheck will cost you only $78 with a validity of 5 years.
Let’s dig more to find out how TSA (Transportation Security Administration) PreCheck can save you time at airports.
Available at More Than 200 Airports and 90 Airlines
Whether you choose to fly with domestic or international airlines, TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 US airports. The list of airlines touches the milestone of 90 best airlines in the world with the recent addition of French Bee and Caribean airlines to its PreCheck services. You can see the list of all airlines from the official site of tsa.gov.
TSA PreCheck vs. Clear
Clear also provides the same facility of shorter security lanes at the airports but it is only available at 53 airports with the charges of around $189 per year. As compared to TSA PreCheck, Clear has lesser expansion and costs you more. TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 US airports including the most popular options like Charlotte Douglas, Raleigh-Durham, Orlando-Sanford, Indianapolis, Hartsfield Jackson, Chicago O’Hare, etc.
On the other hand, TSA PreCheck is a government-backed service that will cost you only $ 78 for five years and Clear will cost you around $1000.
Easier to Apply Now
You fill out the application within a few minutes while you need to pass through the process of background check and interview at one of the 400+ enrolment centers located nationwide. To speed up your screening experience, you need to visit the government site, where you find links for enrollment providers, Telos or IDEMIA. Pick any one of them and complete your application.
You can also schedule in-person appointments for 10 minutes with any of the TSA partners. Previously appointments took a lot of time but now it’s simply done at airports or government buildings.
TSA PreCheck Procedure for Children & Teen
Age also affects the TSA PreCheck. If your children are under the age of 12 or less, they can accompany enrolled parents without any restriction at TSA PreCheck Lanes. For the age of 13-17, it’s necessary that TSA PreCheck must be present on the child’s boarding pass otherwise teens need to make a separate TSA PreCheck.
Benefits of TSA PreCheck
- No Need for Separate Bins for Liquids and Laptops
In regular security check you need a separate bin for liquid and laptop. It implies that it does not matter how flawlessly you pack your carry-on bag; it will suddenly change into a mess when you open it for checking at security checkpoints. However, TSA PreCheck can help you retain your arrangement because you don’t need to open your bag for these items.
- Don’t Need to Take Off Your Shoes
TSA PreCheck doesn’t require you to take off your footwear and belt as thousands of passengers are passing through the process in the regular security check.
- Saves Time at Airports
The TSA Program proved to be successful as more than 15 million US citizens became members and got benefits from prechecking facilities. The higher number of people does not mean that you need to wait more on the lane or that the advantage of less time spent will change into a disadvantage. It’s a real time saver program because people don’t need to remove their belongings to obtain a security clearance.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 99% of travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck require only 10 minutes to pass through the airport checkpoints nationwide.
Conclusion
The TSA PreCheck program is just like a dream come true for the travelers. You don’t need to wait for long at the airport checkpoints for clearance when you enroll in the TSA program. It is pretty cheap as compared to Clear which charges you around $189 per year. On the other hand, with TSA PreCheck $78 is enough for 5 years’ period to get rid of exhaustive security lanes.
More than 15 million people enrolled in the program to get benefits, available at more than 200 US airports including 90 airlines which are part of the program.
