Tsa precheck

[hbomdiggity]

Is it possible to get precheck status for just being old?

My mom doesn't travel often, but for whatever reason, she gets precheck. She didn't apply, isn't former military, doesn't pay anything more.

Most recent is southwest, but I'm pretty sure it was a different airline before.

[af1212]

my 4 1/2 year old daughter gets it every time we fly too - all different airlines and airports. If only I could send her through security alone

[saywhatnow]

My senior citizen parents get it regularly and so does my 5 year old.

[Deleted]

They can throw anyone in the pre-check line they want.

Was it iammalcolmx who was complaining the other day about ATL throwing all sorts of families into the pre-check line? I hate ATL for that (nothing against families, but that line ends up with all sorts of people who don't know what pre-check is and still take off their shoes and take out their liquids and all of that, so it isn't all that much faster than the regular line).

I think that olds and youngs no longer have to take off shoes or light jackets when they go through security, so they're 3/4 of the way there on the rules anyway...

[iammalcolmx]

Jul 29, 2014 15:26:28 GMT -5 v said:

They can throw anyone in the pre-check line they want.

Was it iammalcolmx who was complaining the other day about ATL throwing all sorts of families into the pre-check line? I hate ATL for that (nothing against families, but that line ends up with all sorts of people who don't know what pre-check is and still take off their shoes and take out their liquids and all of that, so it isn't all that much faster than the regular line).

I think that olds and youngs no longer have to take off shoes or light jackets when they go through security, so they're 3/4 of the way there on the rules anyway...

Sorta. In April H and I were flying to Brussels and FOR SOME REASON H had me meet him at the Domestic Terminal* where we checked in and went through security. Pre-check was pretty slow and honestly thus far Atlanta's Pre-Check is the slowest I have ever been through, however still seems faster than regular.

*Why tha hell did dude make me meet him at Domestic? The International Terminal at Hartsfield is a thing of beauty which includes a very fast security line for everyone. 

[spunkarella]

Jul 29, 2014 15:26:28 GMT -5 v said:

Was it iammalcolmx who was complaining the other day about ATL throwing all sorts of families into the pre-check line? I hate ATL for that (nothing against families, but that line ends up with all sorts of people who don't know what pre-check is and still take off their shoes and take out their liquids and all of that, so it isn't all that much faster than the regular line).

That happened to me and it was the worst security experience I've ever had. I did not know what pre-check meant or even realize I was in the pre-check line, and I was far from the only clueless passenger. The agents were AWFUL and kept yelling at us to put shoes back on, etc. without explaining anything. Hello, I am just trying to follow the rules the best I know how. How was making the mom in front of me stop to put her 4 kids' shoes and jackets back on any quicker than just letting her koko since she had already done the hard part?!

[hbomdiggity]

It's printed on her ticket, not a decision made at security.

[audette]

Jul 29, 2014 16:32:12 GMT -5 Stan said:

Military no longer has to take off our shoes and we don't even have to be in uniform. Just put our DOD ID # when we buy tickets. Voila! I find this glorious.

Sadly, it doesn't carryover to military dependents.  So, DH can get pre-check, but I won't.

Except, I've randomly been tossed into the pre-check lines a few times.  I _think_ it may have been FF based, but I'm not entirely sure.  It was weird, and I was totally that person who had no clue the first time it happened - totally jetlagged, I'd just finished going thru passport control and customs after a ICN to DFW flight, and suddenly they were pointing me to this other line where people were hollering at us to keep our shoes and coats on.

Thankfully, I figured it out before I got up to the counter where I lay out all my stuff for the scans (or not, on this trip), but it took way longer to mentally process "this is some type of special security line where I don't have to do all that annoying crap like pull everything out of my bag and get half undressed".  (I think I already had my jacket off though, because, well, DFW and warm temperatures...)

I think this was a trip shortly after pre-check was rolled out as a "thing".

[VillainV]

Only the military member and dependents under 12 can go through the pre-check lane. H and I did this yesterday in Orlando -- I was able to take the baby through pre-check but he had to go through the normal lane. We specifically asked if H could come through pre-check with me and they said no. However, if it hadn't been busy maybe they would have let him? It was worth it to us because I was able to fly through with the baby and some of our electronics, so H only had to worry about his bag and laptop. Sucked that he couldn't come with us though...

[audette]

Jul 29, 2014 17:49:14 GMT -5 Stan said:

Jul 29, 2014 17:44:01 GMT -5 audette said:

Sadly, it doesn't carryover to military dependents.  So, DH can get pre-check, but I won't.

Except, I've randomly been tossed into the pre-check lines a few times.  I _think_ it may have been FF based, but I'm not entirely sure.  It was weird, and I was totally that person who had no clue the first time it happened - totally jetlagged, I'd just finished going thru passport control and customs after a ICN to DFW flight, and suddenly they were pointing me to this other line where people were hollering at us to keep our shoes and coats on.

Thankfully, I figured it out before I got up to the counter where I lay out all my stuff for the scans (or not, on this trip), but it took way longer to mentally process "this is some type of special security line where I don't have to do all that annoying crap like pull everything out of my bag and get half undressed".  (I think I already had my jacket off though, because, well, DFW and warm temperatures...)

I think this was a trip shortly after pre-check was rolled out as a "thing".

Are you sure you can't? Have you tossed in your dod ID number? Maybe it's because you're, well, you know...


CANADIAN?!

Awesome pic! 

The only DOD ID number on my ID is in the same spot that used to have DH's SSN.  I am going to assume it's DH's DOD ID number.  The _back_ of my ID has a "benefits #", which may be all my very own, but I doubt it...

Because I really don't exist as a separate entity from my husband, according to the military...

[audette]

Jul 29, 2014 18:06:56 GMT -5 Stan said:

Well audette, your best answer is to join the military.ETA: MOS? Knitting. Lol. I love searching for funny Canadian memes and I've now had occasion to 2x in the last 2 days thanks to you!

Hah! I don't think they'd have me - too fat, and too old... And, sadly, knitting isn't an MOS.

I'm happy to provide the excuse to keep finding awesome Canuck memes.

[karinothing]

Jul 29, 2014 15:26:28 GMT -5 v said:

They can throw anyone in the pre-check line they want.

Was it iammalcolmx who was complaining the other day about ATL throwing all sorts of families into the pre-check line? I hate ATL for that (nothing against families, but that line ends up with all sorts of people who don't know what pre-check is and still take off their shoes and take out their liquids and all of that, so it isn't all that much faster than the regular line).

I think that olds and youngs no longer have to take off shoes or light jackets when they go through security, so they're 3/4 of the way there on the rules anyway...

We got thrown into pre-check yesterday. But they told us what to do EXCEPT DH had lost his ID so he had to go through 8000 levels of security, but at least DS and I got through easily! And yes you are right, DS doesn't have to take off his shoes on a the regular. Not sure about jackets.

[dragonfly08]

Jul 29, 2014 15:26:28 GMT -5 v said:

I think that olds and youngs no longer have to take off shoes or light jackets when they go through security, so they're 3/4 of the way there on the rules anyway...

I know nothing about pre-check, or older travelers.  But as far as "regular" security, since my kids are under 12 they were not required to remove their shoes or go through the full scan at IAD last month.  They did have to remove their sweaters/jackets.  And while I had to take off my shoes, I was allowed to skip the scan as well and go with them through the regular metal detector.

[bettyfinn]

Jul 29, 2014 16:12:57 GMT -5 spunkarella said:

Jul 29, 2014 15:26:28 GMT -5 v said:

Was it iammalcolmx who was complaining the other day about ATL throwing all sorts of families into the pre-check line? I hate ATL for that (nothing against families, but that line ends up with all sorts of people who don't know what pre-check is and still take off their shoes and take out their liquids and all of that, so it isn't all that much faster than the regular line).

That happened to me and it was the worst security experience I've ever had. I did not know what pre-check meant or even realize I was in the pre-check line, and I was far from the only clueless passenger. The agents were AWFUL and kept yelling at us to put shoes back on, etc. without explaining anything. Hello, I am just trying to follow the rules the best I know how. How was making the mom in front of me stop to put her 4 kids' shoes and jackets back on any quicker than just letting her koko since she had already done the hard part?!

If you had written 2 kids instead of 4 I would have thought you were behind me in the precheck line. We had a similar experience and yes, it was absolutely awful. The agents were screaming at us yet couldn't spare a few seconds to clarify that we were in the precheck line. We fly a lot and have the security aspect down to a science with our kids so that we don't become the parents you dread being stuck behind. However, in this instance we had no idea we could bypass the standard rules and ended up slowing everyone down. Now we know but man that sucked.

[spunkarella]

bettyfinn FWIW I really sympathized with the mom and was not upset in the slightest at her for slowing down the line. She was superwoman in my eyes for having all her kids so well-organized and ready to move quickly following standard rules.

[teatimefor2]

Jul 29, 2014 15:26:28 GMT -5 v said:

I think that olds and youngs no longer have to take off shoes or light jackets when they go through security, so they're 3/4 of the way there on the rules anyway...

I think it has to do with speed and efficiency.  My aunt flew up until her mid-80s, but it took her forever to remove her shoes.  The same with my two year old.  

I think they should separate travelers based on how frequently they travel.   Even with our two year old, with his water and food, we can all strip down and go through security in record time.  I HATE being behind travelers who don't know what is allowed and not allowed, forget to remove their belt, etc.  That drives me batty.

[VillainV]

Jul 29, 2014 20:39:04 GMT -5 teatimefor2 said:

Jul 29, 2014 15:26:28 GMT -5 v said:

I think that olds and youngs no longer have to take off shoes or light jackets when they go through security, so they're 3/4 of the way there on the rules anyway...

I think it has to do with speed and efficiency.  My aunt flew up until her mid-80s, but it took her forever to remove her shoes.  The same with my two year old.  

I think they should separate travelers based on how frequently they travel.   Even with our two year old, with his water and food, we can all strip down and go through security in record time.  I HATE being behind travelers who don't know what is allowed and not allowed, forget to remove their belt, etc.  That drives me batty.

Some airports used to have lines labeled like ski slopes -- green was for families or people who needed time or assistance, blue was for normal travelers, and black diamond was for those of us who could remove our belt and shoes while powering up our laptop and emptying our pockets. Haven't seen those in a while though.

[teatimefor2]

Jul 29, 2014 21:35:00 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Jul 29, 2014 20:39:04 GMT -5 teatimefor2 said:

I think it has to do with speed and efficiency.  My aunt flew up until her mid-80s, but it took her forever to remove her shoes.  The same with my two year old.  

I think they should separate travelers based on how frequently they travel.   Even with our two year old, with his water and food, we can all strip down and go through security in record time.  I HATE being behind travelers who don't know what is allowed and not allowed, forget to remove their belt, etc.  That drives me batty.

Some airports used to have lines labeled like ski slopes -- green was for families or people who needed time or assistance, blue was for normal travelers, and black diamond was for those of us who could remove our belt and shoes while powering up our laptop and emptying our pockets. Haven't seen those in a while though.

I've never seen those, I've seen the families lines, but not the rest.  But admittedly most of travel is international, not US based.  Glad to know it does exist.  Even my son knows what to do now!

[babsbunny]

To the original question, people can randomly get precheck on their boarding pass. Apparently my aunt gets it almost every time she flies out of her home airport or a second one she visits often (and she usually flies Southwest). I think the computer has picked up her flying habits and is making a judgement call.

I got it once too on my boarding pass, but it was pointless since I was flying with someone else that didn't have it on theirs. I just bought it and am 50/50 on having it printed on my boarding pass, but I expect it to be closer to 100% very soon.

[Redpoppy]

Do airports still make you pull out liquids and laptops? At Logan last week we kept our shoes on, took nothing out of our bags, and went through quick and easy, til DH got pulled for a random hand swab.


Tampa always let us cut ahead with DS but it was more skip the wait than go in a special line.

[M]

Jul 29, 2014 16:12:57 GMT -5 spunkarella said:

Jul 29, 2014 15:26:28 GMT -5 v said:

Was it iammalcolmx who was complaining the other day about ATL throwing all sorts of families into the pre-check line? I hate ATL for that (nothing against families, but that line ends up with all sorts of people who don't know what pre-check is and still take off their shoes and take out their liquids and all of that, so it isn't all that much faster than the regular line).

That happened to me and it was the worst security experience I've ever had. I did not know what pre-check meant or even realize I was in the pre-check line, and I was far from the only clueless passenger. The agents were AWFUL and kept yelling at us to put shoes back on, etc. without explaining anything. Hello, I am just trying to follow the rules the best I know how. How was making the mom in front of me stop to put her 4 kids' shoes and jackets back on any quicker than just letting her koko since she had already done the hard part?!

I have TSA precheck and wear heels that never pass the metal detector so after the first couple times I just take them off since it's really not that difficult. They ALWAYS tell me to put it back on and I always have to tell them there's metal in it so that I don't have to waste more time going back and forth.

[Deleted]

Jul 29, 2014 22:08:19 GMT -5 M said:

Jul 29, 2014 16:12:57 GMT -5 spunkarella said:

That happened to me and it was the worst security experience I've ever had. I did not know what pre-check meant or even realize I was in the pre-check line, and I was far from the only clueless passenger. The agents were AWFUL and kept yelling at us to put shoes back on, etc. without explaining anything. Hello, I am just trying to follow the rules the best I know how. How was making the mom in front of me stop to put her 4 kids' shoes and jackets back on any quicker than just letting her koko since she had already done the hard part?!

I have TSA precheck and wear heels that never pass the metal detector so after the first couple times I just take them off since it's really not that difficult. They ALWAYS tell me to put it back on and I always have to tell them there's metal in it so that I don't have to waste more time going back and forth.

Why don't you just wear flats?

[M]

Jul 30, 2014 7:27:42 GMT -5 v said:

Jul 29, 2014 22:08:19 GMT -5 M said:

I have TSA precheck and wear heels that never pass the metal detector so after the first couple times I just take them off since it's really not that difficult. They ALWAYS tell me to put it back on and I always have to tell them there's metal in it so that I don't have to waste more time going back and forth.

Why don't you just wear flats?

I was never a flats person so I never had any dressy enough for 1 day business trips and didn't want to carry around flip flops. BUT I finally got a pair specifically for flying a couple months ago but haven't flown since then lol.

[VillainV]

Jul 30, 2014 7:55:36 GMT -5 M said:

Jul 30, 2014 7:27:42 GMT -5 v said:

Why don't you just wear flats?

I was never a flats person so I never had any dressy enough for 1 day business trips and didn't want to carry around flip flops. BUT I finally got a pair specifically for flying a couple months ago but haven't flown since then lol.

My flats that I like to wear while traveling have metal in them too.  It threw the pre-check guys for a loop, so maybe I'll have to buy some new shoes to travel in.  I hate wearing open-toed shoes while traveling.