TSA Precheck coming to Staples
Staples just announced that you will be able to obtain one at many of their stores by years end.
Pass holders skip the often long security lines and don't have to take off shoes or belts. Personally, I think its one of the best deals the government offers us.
I have been meaning to do this for a long time. I don't know whats involved, but I think I will look into it.Quote: billryanIf you travel to Vegas once a year, a TSA precheck pass ends up costing you $8.50 each way. If you travel twice, the amount is halved.
Staples just announced that you will be able to obtain one at many of their stores by years end.
Pass holders skip the often long security lines and don't have to take off shoes or belts. Personally, I think its one of the best deals the government offers us.
REI, a sports attire and sports gear store did the same thing when they gave floor space to the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management to open up a Hiking Permits in one stop shop. All trail maps and trail permits were in one location. REI found it very profitable to do this.
As someone who flys frequently, TSA Precheck is a bargain and a huge timesaver. The original fee was less than $100 and is good for 5 years. In some airports at times you can save up to an hour. I flew from Philly Friday and the regular line was down the hallway at Terminal B, and there was no one at the TSA line at C.
Axel, it’s definitely worth your time and there is a signup storefront at McCarron. All they do is a basic interview and fingerprint. You get a number after approval and plug in it to your FF account or when you book. Very easy.
The "interview" is basically answering a few yes/no questions on a computer screen. And they take your fingerprints. That's it.
Quote: Boz
As someone who flys frequently, TSA Precheck is a bargain and a huge timesaver. The original fee was less than $100 and is good for 5 years. In some airports at times you can save up to an hour. I flew from Philly Friday and the regular line was down the hallway at Terminal B, and there was no one at the TSA line at C.
If I flew much at all I would do it. It seems TSA learned this from the Israelis and their extensive checks. I know people who do it and love it.
In the early 2000s I remember wishing for a sort of express line for "qualified travelers." Meaning adults only who knew to have everything ready to go as soon as they got to the metal detectors. No parents with kids trying to get everything in order. No dopes who get to the front of the line then realize you have to show your ticket so only then do they start looking for it.
While I am on that subject, what is it about metal detectors that people think they are supposed to stop dead as soon as they get thru? Always happens at the courthouse, people get thru and BAM, they stop dead. They just stand there with a line behind. Once at an airport a person did this and a female agent grabbed my shirt and yanked me thru. It was so fast I was wondering what on earth she was doing. She was polite and said she did not want it to go off for me being in there too long and would have to wand me.
If you travel internationally once in that 5 years, you'll realize the time saver global entry is.
Figuring I will most likely be the only person in the party who has this I would be separated from them and have to wait on the other side (probably having to arrive early with them to confirm they were all corralled)
Doesnt make sense for me to get one
Quote: darkozMy concern is how often a person travels with different people. I often do that
Figuring I will most likely be the only person in the party who has this I would be separated from them and have to wait on the other side (probably having to arrive early with them to confirm they were all corralled)
Doesnt make sense for me to get one
Interestingly every time I fly with guests, they always get TSA Pre as well and have never paid for it. I assume this is because I book the trips together with me.
Quote: BozInterestingly every time I fly with guests, they always get TSA Pre as well and have never paid for it. I assume this is because I book the trips together with me.
That's right, if booked together, if one person has TSA Pre, it will apply to all. It may be one of the best government deals I've ever seen. I fly a fair amount, but even if I only flew twice a year, I'd sign up for sure.
Whats clear and how do you get that?
Quote: billryanClear is a service that includes TSA Pre-check but I think it is better suited for International travel. For Domestic only, a TSA pre-check is $85 for five years, or $17 a year. Two round trips a year and it works out to $4 each way. I suspect our current administration will look to up the fees, like they are doing to many such programs.
I am willing to pay $20 each way so I don't have to remove my shoes. Sounds like a good revenue raiser to me. Still would come out ahead with all the tax savings Trump ushered in.
#MAGA
Quote: WizardI have TSA pre-check and it is worth every penny. Then again, I travel by plane 3 or 4 times a year. A downside is sometimes I either forget to put in my code in the booking process or can't find where to put it in. It is frustrating waiting in the long times with the common folk, knowing you are pre-checked approved, but can't prove it.
On Jet Blue, you enter it once into your profile and it is permanent. I'm surprised it isn't like that elsewhere. Do you have to enter your FF membership numbers?
Quote: billryanOn Jet Blue, you enter it once into your profile and it is permanent. I'm surprised it isn't like that elsewhere. Do you have to enter your FF membership numbers?
Same thing with American Airlines. Once and done in your profile.
Quote: djatcGovernment database? No thanks
Compared to the IRS?
I think you are off on this one, but I’m open to being enlightened.
Quote: BozCompared to the IRS?
I think you are off on this one, but I’m open to being enlightened.
I'm not a fan of giving up more information about myself for the convenience. IRS you really have no choice, gotta pay them taxes.
Quote: MidwestAPThat's right, if booked together, if one person has TSA Pre, it will apply to all. It may be one of the best government deals I've ever seen. I fly a fair amount, but even if I only flew twice a year, I'd sign up for sure.
These sounds very wrong to me. From the TSA FAQ:
Quote:I am traveling with my family; can they also use the TSA Pre✓® lane?
Children ages 12 and younger may use the TSA Pre✓® lane when traveling with a parent or guardian who has the indicator on their boarding pass. Travelers 13 and older who do not have a TSA Pre✓® boarding pass must go through standard security lanes or apply.
The whole concept is based on the traveler being pre-screened. That requires the submission of valid government-issued ID plus an in-person interview where they take your fingerprints. What Boz and MidwestAP describe doesn't fit the official procedures. Maybe the TSA was just being sloppy that day but I wouldn't count on that always being the case
Quote: darkozMy concern is how often a person travels with different people. I often do that
Figuring I will most likely be the only person in the party who has this I would be separated from them and have to wait on the other side (probably having to arrive early with them to confirm they were all corralled)
Doesnt make sense for me to get one
Even if you do have to wait for fellow travellers, at least you wont have to take off your shoes and pull your laptop out of its case.
Quote: HunterhillSometimes you just randomly get precheck,last year I got precheck 5 flights in a row and 6 out of 8 .
That's happened to me, too.
I didn't even know it was a thing and one time I was going through the regular line and the TSA person was like, "You could have gone through the pre-check line," because the pre-check thing had shown up on my ticket and I had no idea what it was.
Then it showed up on my ticket for several flights after that, but it hasn't the last several times I've flown. I have no idea how I randomly got it to appear on my ticket, but I'm not going to pay for it. I usually get to the airport plenty early enough to stand in line.
Quote: GlenGSecurity at airports have gotten a lot more efficient and faster compared to 10 years ago. I used to fly at least 20+ times a year (Mom works for an airline, used to be free for me) I was even at LAX a few months ago and it wasent that bad. I dont think Pre-Check is worth it.
Agreed... It's very airport and time-dependent too. Even at the busiest airports, if you fly at the right time on a day when it's mostly business / frequent flyers who know the routine (ie. probably not Vegas) you can be through the line in under 10 mins easily.
Quote: MidwestAPThat's right, if booked together, if one person has TSA Pre, it will apply to all. It may be one of the best government deals I've ever seen. I fly a fair amount, but even if I only flew twice a year, I'd sign up for sure.
It happened to the married couple in front of me this morning in the TSA precheck line. She had it, he didnt, and the TSA gave them the choice of splitting up and meeting on the other side, or them.both going thru full security, but he wasn't getting admitted with her.
They opted for both full security (line was ridiculous ), fwiw. So mileage may differ on that one.
Quote: TigerWuThat's happened to me, too.
I didn't even know it was a thing and one time I was going through the regular line and the TSA person was like, "You could have gone through the pre-check line," because the pre-check thing had shown up on my ticket and I had no idea what it was.
Then it showed up on my ticket for several flights after that, but it hasn't the last several times I've flown. I have no idea how I randomly got it to appear on my ticket, but I'm not going to pay for it. I usually get to the airport plenty early enough to stand in line.
It can depend on your ticket class, as well. Buy an extra legroom seat on Jet Blue and it automatically upgrades you. Some airlines upgrade(?) Military and sometimes even XMIL personnel. Perhaps some airlines offer a few freebies so you can see the advantage of it. As I said, two round trips a year and its four dollars a flight.
Quote: beachbumbabsIt happened to the married couple in front of me this morning in the TSA precheck line. She had it, he didnt, and the TSA gave them the choice of splitting up and meeting on the other side, or them.both going thru full security, but he wasn't getting admitted with her.
They opted for both full security (line was ridiculous ), fwiw. So mileage may differ on that one.
Wow. I'd have sent her ahead so she could pay for the snacks.
Get in some last minute alone time.
Quote: HunterhillSometimes you just randomly get precheck,last year I got precheck 5 flights in a row and 6 out of 8 .
This should be eliminated. Nothing against you, but for most of these individuals who are randomly selected for Pre-Check, it slows down the lines. They are taking off their shoes, pulling out their computers, etc. Best way to describe Pre-Check is like flying back in the 80's. There is very little screening. On occasion, sombody has to take one for the team, randomly selected for further screening.
Mine expires in 6 months, it will be five years. Wonder if it will still be $85. They could charge $850, still way worth it.
