TSA PreCheck is a program created by the Department of Homeland Security with the goal of getting low-risk travelers through airport security checkpoints faster. The program has been in existence since 2011 and currently has more than 3 million members. The TSA PreCheck program hopes to have 25 million travelers enrolled by the year 2019. To enroll, you must submit an application, complete an in-person appointment, pass a background check, and submit fingerprints. PreCheck accepts US citizens and permanent residents. A similar program, Global Entry, allows for expedited customs clearance for low-risk travelers when they arrive in the US. Besides US citizens and permanent residents, citizens of the UK, Germany, South Korea, and a few other countries may apply for Global Entry clearance. Previously, PreCheck was completely free, but its popularity has expanded and there’s now a fee. For domestic travel, PreCheck applicants are required to pay an $85 fee. Applicants who plan to travel internationally can opt for the Global Entry program for an additional $15, bringing the total to $100. Both PreCheck and Global Entry are valid for five years. One reason PreCheck is no longer free is due to the sheer volume of travelers considered “low risk.” When the program first began, about 45 percent of travelers fit into the low-risk category, which resulted in congestion and processing times that weren’t much different than standard security lines. The $85 application fee also covers the expense of processing applicants’ background and clearance checks, operating and staffing enrollment centers, and maintaining the technology required to make the PreCheck program run smoothly. TSA PreCheck is a great option for frequent travelers, and business travelers can benefit greatly from the program. Benefits of PreCheck The biggest advantage of the PreCheck program is the speed with which travelers can pass through airport security checkpoints. In July 2016, for example, 97% of PreCheck passengers waited 5 minutes or less in security, according to the program’s website. Additionally, PreCheck passengers can keep on their shoes, jackets, and belts when passing through security, and laptops can remain in their cases. Being a member of the PreCheck program will give you a little more wiggle room when getting to the airport, which can be invaluable in times of heavy traffic or other circumstances that may delay your arrival. If you opt for the Global Entry program, you’ll also be able to make it through customs much quicker when flying internationally. If you’ve ever flown internationally, you understand what a pain the process can be. With Global Entry, passengers simply check in at automated kiosks, rather than waiting in line to fill out paperwork or speak with a customs agent. Many Ways to Sign UpMorphoTrust, a private company, has partnered with TSA to market the PreCheck program and get more people to sign up for it, in order to meet the agency’s aggressive goal of having 25 million PreCheck passengers by 2019. The company set up PreCheck enrollment centers at H&R Block locations across the country. These enrollment centers were set up in nearly 30 states, and MorphoTrust plans to expand locations in the coming tax season. Additionally, PreCheck enrollment sites have popped up in Virginia at various Department of Motor Vehicle offices. MorphoTrust has also established temporary PreCheck enrollment centers at conferences and conventions—which is fitting, as many attendees likely have to fly to reach these events. The company also reached an agreement with concert promoter Live Nation to sign up travelers at music festivals. Those who apply for PreCheck at Live Nation events and pass the required checks will receive fast passes to breeze through security lines at concerts, in addition to PreCheck enrollment. What Do You Need to Apply?Applying for the PreCheck program is relatively simple. For domestic travel, applicants must present photo identification as well as the necessary documentation outlined on the TSA PreCheck website. For the Global Entry program, applicants must present a US passport or permanent resident card, and the applicant cannot be in violation of any customs and immigration laws. The PreCheck website goes into great detail about eligibility requirements so that applicants can know their chances of approval prior to visiting a PreCheck enrollment center. In the event you are not approved for the program, the application fee is nonrefundable. That’s why it is important to understand the requirements prior to applying and paying the fee.
Though it may seem as if you get special treatment with PreCheck, acceptance to the program does not guarantee that you will be able to use a PreCheck line at an airport. PreCheck is available at 180 airports and 19 airlines participate in the program, including major US carriers American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska. However, not every airport and airline is a PreCheck participant, including many large international carriers. Before traveling, be sure to check the TSA website to ensure that the airport you’re using is indeed part of the program. |
AuthorBruce Eaton is the president and chief executive officer of i2 Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a hit discovery and lead optimization technology provider serving clients in the pharmaceutical industry. Categories
All
|