Dec 26, 2012, 9:58 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
TSA Pre-Check / PreCheck Known Traveler program for AA FFs (consolidated)
You are eligible to be selected (on a flight-by-flight basis) for TSA PreCheck expedited screening if:
- You are a frequent American Airlines flyer that have been invited by American Airlines to participate and followed the instructions on the email to accept, or/and
- You participate in a "Trusted Traveler" program (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI and/or TSA PreCheck application program) and have entered your "Known Traveler ID" in the reservation
- If you're using your AAdvantage number, you can enter the "Known Traveler ID" in the Personal Information and Password tab of My Account) so it will auto-populate in all new reservations bearing the AAdvantage number made anywhere
- If your reservation doesn't have your AAdvantage number, you can retrieve it and add the "Known Traveler ID" to it. The method is not very intuitive: on AA.com click on my trips, then on view all, then on find my reservation and enter either the record locator (if you know it), or the flight information using the AA operating flight number (not any eventual codeshare number from another airline).
- Your Secure Flight Information (name, sex, DOB) in the reservation must match the one with the program (except for "middle" or other names, which are ignored) (name on ticket does not matter)
- You will find your "Known Traveler ID" on the GOES website or on your program's card, under the name "PASSID". It is either 9 digits or the letters TT plus 7 digits
NOTE: 20 May 2016: "Today’s announcement makes a total of 16 carriers that participate in TSA Pre✓®: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Seaborne Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America and WestJet.
Passengers who are eligible for TSA Pre✓® include: members of the TSA Pre✓® application program, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler program, Global Entry, and Canadian citizens who are members of CBP’s NEXUS program. TSA Pre✓® is also available for U.S. Armed Forces service members, including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard."
Link
How it works
In the Pre-Check lane, you no longer need to remove the following items:
- Shoes (some, such as steel-toed shoes, may require removal)
- 3-1-1 compliant bag from your carry-on (all liquid restrictions still apply)
- Laptop from your bag (if electronics are stacked on top of each other, they require removal)
- Light outerwear or jacket
- Belt (large belt buckles may require removal)
- Pre-Check Lanes are WTMD only-- No NoS in use
LOCATIONS
Link to FlyerGuide Wiki listing of American Airlines (only) PreCheck checkpoints.
Link to FT thread AA Airport / Concourse TSA PreCheck - Hours [only] (may not be current)
See also post 1 of this thread. (It contains much additional info in the Moderator's Note.)
NOTE: PreCheck is changing to a Trusted Traveler (GE/NEXUS/SENTRI) -like program, where anyone will be able apply and pay USD $85 (online or at a PreCheck enrollment center), be vetted for approval, present proof of identification and be fingerprinted at a PreCheck enrollment center (IAD and IND, opening Fall 2013, will be thie first), and be granted PreCheck status for five years from that time. It will not be airline - or airline status - tied.
"Current PreCheck participants, including those eligible via a CBP Trusted Traveler Program such as Global Entry, will continue to receive PreCheck eligibility. Participants who opted-in through their airline frequent flyer program may want to consider applying for PreCheck, as they are more likely to be selected for PreCheck expedited screening more often if they are vetted via the PreCheck application process." Link.
Trusted Traveler (Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri) and Having Problems with PreCheck?
If you belong to one of the Trusted Traveler Programs listed above, you may run into issues getting PreCheck clearance if your Secure Flight Data is not an exact match to the data that you entered into your application on the GOES (Global Online Enrollment System) website when you applied for your TT membership.
For example, if your airline account has Bob Jones, but your GOES account has Bob James Jones, then the TSA may not be associating your information properly when it "decides" who can and can not have access. Additionally, if your PASS ID # (listed above in the screen-shots) is not an exact match, there will be a mismatch when TSA processes your information, and you will not receive PreCheck.
To ensure you receive PreCheck on all flights (domestic & internatioal), be sure to ensure the information in your AA profile is accurate. The name on the ticket does not matter- the "Secure Flight Data" is what is used to determine PreCheck status.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the
(lower right wiki corner)TSA Pre✓® / PreCheck / Pre Check Issues, Changes, etc.
Known issues:
- Not every airport or terminal offers the TSA Pre✓® program
- TSA Pre✓® may have limited or irregular hours or closed at times without notice
- TSA Pre✓® members are still be subject to random selection for intensified screening
- TSA Pre✓® program has changed from an airline elite invitation program to a fee-based program with certain screening requirements
- If one's TSA Pre✓® status is from the pilot invitation program and one doesn't have a Known Traveler Number ("KTN"), TSA Pre✓® status may not carry on to another airline and one may experience increasing denials (not having the TSA Pre✓® printed on boarding pass and being sent to the regular TSA screening queues
Link to TSA Application Program and TSA Pre✓® program information, links
Changes to TSA Pre✓®
TSA Pre✓® was originally offered by certain airlines to their elite status members. These TSA Pre✓® members do not have a Known Traveler Number from a USDHS trusted traveler program (GOES / Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or the new $85 fee based TSA Pre✓® Application Program offered to the flying public with 5 year renewal), making TSA Pre✓® status portability challenging. See the DHS Trusted Traveler programs listing and comparison chart here. Please read the following:
From American Airlines, April 2015:
This month, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is making changes to the TSA Pre✓® Trusted Traveler Program that will impact which travelers receive expedited screening. If you're not already a member of one of the Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry or the TSA Pre✓® Application Program, you will probably see a decline in how often you receive expedited screening, even if you've previously "opted-in" through a frequent flyer program.
The best way to increase your chances of receiving TSA Pre✓® on a regular basis is to register for a Trusted Traveler Program with the Department of Homeland Security at dhs.gov/tt. Once you receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) from TSA, be sure you update your AAdvantage profile.
To add your KTN to your AAdvantage profile:For more information on TSA Pre✓®, visit tsa.gov/tsa-precheck.
This month, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is making changes to the TSA Pre✓® Trusted Traveler Program that will impact which travelers receive expedited screening. If you're not already a member of one of the Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry or the TSA Pre✓® Application Program, you will probably see a decline in how often you receive expedited screening, even if you've previously "opted-in" through a frequent flyer program.
The best way to increase your chances of receiving TSA Pre✓® on a regular basis is to register for a Trusted Traveler Program with the Department of Homeland Security at dhs.gov/tt. Once you receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) from TSA, be sure you update your AAdvantage profile.
To add your KTN to your AAdvantage profile:
- Login to your account on aa.com and select My Account from the AAdvantage menu
- Within My Account, go to the Information and Password tab
- Add your Customs and Border Protection 9-digit PASS ID to your secure traveler information
[Archived] TSA Pre-Check / PreCheck Known Traveler program for AA FFs
Aug 3, 2015, 2:00 pm
#6136
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix/Columbus
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Gold, US Airways silver
Posts: 1,717
I have GE too, and almost always get pre-check, but did not last time (7/13/2015). The TSA agent was quite surly when I politely ask about it and if my GE card "might work." He reminded me that there is no guarantee and some are randomly selected to go through the regular line.
So, after reading this thread and looking ahead to my flight this Saturday, I decided to check to see if my KTN was in. I could find no record on the US Airways itinerary, or any place to add it. The number IS in the AA account, but the flight was booked through US and there is no AA confirmation code. I called AA, was transferred to US, and they say the number is in there now. I will also look when I check in on Friday AND ask at the airport!
So, after reading this thread and looking ahead to my flight this Saturday, I decided to check to see if my KTN was in. I could find no record on the US Airways itinerary, or any place to add it. The number IS in the AA account, but the flight was booked through US and there is no AA confirmation code. I called AA, was transferred to US, and they say the number is in there now. I will also look when I check in on Friday AND ask at the airport!
Aug 3, 2015, 2:22 pm
#6137
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AZ
Programs: AA Million Miler, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 246
I had a similar problem flying back from PIT last week. When I checked in there was no TSA pre-check on my boarding pass so I asked the agent and they said there was no KTN in my USAIR profile. When I showed her my GE card she printed me a new boarding pass with TSA precheck.
Since I had travelled several times on USAIR and gotten TSA precheck everytime when I got home I checked my USAIR profile for the KTN. What I found is that when I check my USAIR profile I am redirected to my AA profile (which does have my KTN).
So it seems to me that as part of the move to AA some or all of the profiles have been consolidated into the AA profile however the USAIR checkin process does not check the AA profile and therefore no TSA precheck.
Since I had travelled several times on USAIR and gotten TSA precheck everytime when I got home I checked my USAIR profile for the KTN. What I found is that when I check my USAIR profile I am redirected to my AA profile (which does have my KTN).
So it seems to me that as part of the move to AA some or all of the profiles have been consolidated into the AA profile however the USAIR checkin process does not check the AA profile and therefore no TSA precheck.
Aug 3, 2015, 11:02 pm
#6138
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
Since I had travelled several times on USAIR and gotten TSA precheck everytime when I got home I checked my USAIR profile for the KTN. What I found is that when I check my USAIR profile I am redirected to my AA profile (which does have my KTN).
So it seems to me that as part of the move to AA some or all of the profiles have been consolidated into the AA profile however the USAIR checkin process does not check the AA profile and therefore no TSA precheck.
So it seems to me that as part of the move to AA some or all of the profiles have been consolidated into the AA profile however the USAIR checkin process does not check the AA profile and therefore no TSA precheck.
They've clearly wired the two backends together in a makeshift way for the time being until the US reservation system is dropped - those of us used to modern consumer IT regularly fail to understand how many years behind the times these big backend database systems can be.
Aug 4, 2015, 9:51 am
#6139
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AA Ex Plat United Premier Silver Hilton Diamond Marriott Gold
Posts: 104
Had this issue. Flew TPA-CLT-JFK on US and had precheck but didnt get it JFK-SFO. I went back to recheck in and they didnt seem to have my known traveler on file. Gave it to them, they reprinted, and good to go!
Aug 4, 2015, 12:39 pm
#6140
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
As I noted earlier, I have not had this problem.
I do always log into USairways.com with my AA# when I check in. I wonder if that's allowing the system to pull my KTN number in. I'm curious to know what others have experienced.
I do always log into USairways.com with my AA# when I check in. I wonder if that's allowing the system to pull my KTN number in. I'm curious to know what others have experienced.
Aug 4, 2015, 1:16 pm
#6141
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix/Columbus
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Gold, US Airways silver
Posts: 1,717
Will report on Friday (check-in) and Saturday (flight). I will not be denied!!!
Aug 4, 2015, 5:57 pm
#6142
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA GOLD MM,WN CP A+list, HH Gold,MR LT Titanium
Posts: 2,184
I must also be one of the luckier ones,as I have not had any issues receiving precheck while flying US with my AA#
Aug 6, 2015, 8:11 pm
#6143
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: AZ
Programs: AA Exec Plat; Marriott Plat; HHonors Diamond; Hertz PC
Posts: 213
Funny that I saw this thread. I have a KTN and always got PreCheck on USAirways--100% of the time. This last week I was in Austin flying back to PHX on USAir and did not get PreCheck on the return flight. I was upset but I just noticed that I bought the tickets on AA.com thinking it was time to starting moving all purchasing over there. Up until recently I was always buying USAir flights on USAirways.com and AA on AA.com to avoid this kind of thing. Its clear that I need keep using USairways.com until it goes away.
Aug 7, 2015, 10:16 am
#6144
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix/Columbus
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Gold, US Airways silver
Posts: 1,717
Aug 10, 2015, 9:30 am
#6145
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
BOS TSA PreCheck circus
Yesterday, departing Logan to Dallas (AA ticket, booking, and flight), I encountered a potentially troubling problem at the PreCheck ticket validator.
I had checked in to my flight while on the train from Rhode Island to South Station, perhaps 3 hours before the flight. I took a screenshot of the smart phone boarding pass and started to work on other matters.
Because the ticket counters are some distance from the TSA lines at BOS, I usually go directly to security. However, when reaching the front of the line, the TSA machine flashed red with my screenshot. The TSA agent was harried, even scatterbrained (others before me had experienced different problems; several were still milling around the machine, pending some kind of individual TSA processing), and the agent started to declare that I would have to get a paper boarding card to proceed (the PreCheck line at Logan can take 20 minutes btw). I quickly changed gears and checked in again through the AA app to produce a new boarding credential, and voila, got the green light to proceed.
The same TSA agent then said that maybe AA changed gates since my earlier boarding card was electronically produced. I asked her to explain, and she asserted that an incorrectly coded boarding gate would invalidate the credentials (but she also stated not if using a paper boarding pass).
The Admirals Club agents had no idea about any of this, and frankly I find that station rather confused, so I simply dropped the whole matter and went into the club.
(1) Why do originally valid electronic boarding credentials on a smartphone ever become "invalid" within the 24-hour window? I had changed neither flights nor seats; the gate listed on my screenshot was in fact the same gate from which we eventually departed, B-33.
(2) Who from AA interfaces with TSA on credentials? Why would paper boarding passes work differently or "better" with TSA than electronic credentials?
I had checked in to my flight while on the train from Rhode Island to South Station, perhaps 3 hours before the flight. I took a screenshot of the smart phone boarding pass and started to work on other matters.
Because the ticket counters are some distance from the TSA lines at BOS, I usually go directly to security. However, when reaching the front of the line, the TSA machine flashed red with my screenshot. The TSA agent was harried, even scatterbrained (others before me had experienced different problems; several were still milling around the machine, pending some kind of individual TSA processing), and the agent started to declare that I would have to get a paper boarding card to proceed (the PreCheck line at Logan can take 20 minutes btw). I quickly changed gears and checked in again through the AA app to produce a new boarding credential, and voila, got the green light to proceed.
The same TSA agent then said that maybe AA changed gates since my earlier boarding card was electronically produced. I asked her to explain, and she asserted that an incorrectly coded boarding gate would invalidate the credentials (but she also stated not if using a paper boarding pass).
The Admirals Club agents had no idea about any of this, and frankly I find that station rather confused, so I simply dropped the whole matter and went into the club.
(1) Why do originally valid electronic boarding credentials on a smartphone ever become "invalid" within the 24-hour window? I had changed neither flights nor seats; the gate listed on my screenshot was in fact the same gate from which we eventually departed, B-33.
(2) Who from AA interfaces with TSA on credentials? Why would paper boarding passes work differently or "better" with TSA than electronic credentials?
Aug 10, 2015, 9:48 am
#6146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Yesterday, departing Logan to Dallas (AA ticket, booking, and flight), I encountered a potentially troubling problem at the PreCheck ticket validator.
I had checked in to my flight while on the train from Rhode Island to South Station, perhaps 3 hours before the flight. I took a screenshot of the smart phone boarding pass and started to work on other matters.
Because the ticket counters are some distance from the TSA lines at BOS, I usually go directly to security. However, when reaching the front of the line, the TSA machine flashed red with my screenshot. The TSA agent was harried, even scatterbrained (others before me had experienced different problems; several were still milling around the machine, pending some kind of individual TSA processing), and the agent started to declare that I would have to get a paper boarding card to proceed (the PreCheck line at Logan can take 20 minutes btw). I quickly changed gears and checked in again through the AA app to produce a new boarding credential, and voila, got the green light to proceed.
The same TSA agent then said that maybe AA changed gates since my earlier boarding card was electronically produced. I asked her to explain, and she asserted that an incorrectly coded boarding gate would invalidate the credentials (but she also stated not if using a paper boarding pass).
The Admirals Club agents had no idea about any of this, and frankly I find that station rather confused, so I simply dropped the whole matter and went into the club.
(1) Why do originally valid electronic boarding credentials on a smartphone ever become "invalid" within the 24-hour window? I had changed neither flights nor seats; the gate listed on my screenshot was in fact the same gate from which we eventually departed, B-33.
(2) Who from AA interfaces with TSA on credentials? Why would paper boarding passes work differently or "better" with TSA than electronic credentials?
I had checked in to my flight while on the train from Rhode Island to South Station, perhaps 3 hours before the flight. I took a screenshot of the smart phone boarding pass and started to work on other matters.
Because the ticket counters are some distance from the TSA lines at BOS, I usually go directly to security. However, when reaching the front of the line, the TSA machine flashed red with my screenshot. The TSA agent was harried, even scatterbrained (others before me had experienced different problems; several were still milling around the machine, pending some kind of individual TSA processing), and the agent started to declare that I would have to get a paper boarding card to proceed (the PreCheck line at Logan can take 20 minutes btw). I quickly changed gears and checked in again through the AA app to produce a new boarding credential, and voila, got the green light to proceed.
The same TSA agent then said that maybe AA changed gates since my earlier boarding card was electronically produced. I asked her to explain, and she asserted that an incorrectly coded boarding gate would invalidate the credentials (but she also stated not if using a paper boarding pass).
The Admirals Club agents had no idea about any of this, and frankly I find that station rather confused, so I simply dropped the whole matter and went into the club.
(1) Why do originally valid electronic boarding credentials on a smartphone ever become "invalid" within the 24-hour window? I had changed neither flights nor seats; the gate listed on my screenshot was in fact the same gate from which we eventually departed, B-33.
(2) Who from AA interfaces with TSA on credentials? Why would paper boarding passes work differently or "better" with TSA than electronic credentials?
Aug 10, 2015, 10:27 am
#6147
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
I have used US electronic BPs in Passbook that reflected the incorrect gate (changed at T-[a few hours] after BP was generated at T-24). Never a problem with PC access, so I'm calling bull on the TSA clerk.
My guess is something was amiss with the screenshot. Maybe bad aspect ratio or pixels too small for the code. The red was likely a response to a READ ERROR on the scanner hardware, not an indictment on the data itself.
My guess is something was amiss with the screenshot. Maybe bad aspect ratio or pixels too small for the code. The red was likely a response to a READ ERROR on the scanner hardware, not an indictment on the data itself.
Aug 11, 2015, 9:37 pm
#6148
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AA Ex Plat United Premier Silver Hilton Diamond Marriott Gold
Posts: 104
Funny that I saw this thread. I have a KTN and always got PreCheck on USAirways--100% of the time. This last week I was in Austin flying back to PHX on USAir and did not get PreCheck on the return flight. I was upset but I just noticed that I bought the tickets on AA.com thinking it was time to starting moving all purchasing over there. Up until recently I was always buying USAir flights on USAirways.com and AA on AA.com to avoid this kind of thing. Its clear that I need keep using USairways.com until it goes away.
Aug 11, 2015, 11:04 pm
#6149
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I had this issue recently in a combined AA/US intinerary. My first flight was AA, listing me as EXP and PreCheck. My second and third flights were US. They didn't reflect any status, I wasn't on the upgrade list, the didn't list PreCheck, and I was in group 4! Then, I didn't get credit for one of the US flights. The AA & US systems don't talk to each other! The US rep in the Admirals Club spent 30 minutes trying to get me on the upgrade list and finally said she couldn't do it but she called the gate to see if they could do something. I finally settled on an exit row.
Sep 17, 2015, 8:44 pm
#6150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
What a mess. Husband (EXP) is on a three segment trip this week. ktn is in his profile on both AA.com and his corporate travel agency. He always gets pre-check on all AA itineraries.
Segment one (3 days ago) US flight, US number- check in online, no precheck. Go to airport, airport agent checks him out, adds ktn manually, checks him back in, precheck.
Segment two (yesterday) AA flight/number- double check that KTN is in AA profile and itinerary on AA.com under details, yes, check in online, no pre-check. Go to airport, AA agent unchecks, adds knt, although she says it is already there, check back in, no precheck. Cannot make it happen.
Segment three (tomorrow) AA flight/number-double check that KTN is in AA profile and itinerary on AA.com under details, yes, check in online, no pre-check.
Segment one (3 days ago) US flight, US number- check in online, no precheck. Go to airport, airport agent checks him out, adds ktn manually, checks him back in, precheck.
Segment two (yesterday) AA flight/number- double check that KTN is in AA profile and itinerary on AA.com under details, yes, check in online, no pre-check. Go to airport, AA agent unchecks, adds knt, although she says it is already there, check back in, no precheck. Cannot make it happen.
Segment three (tomorrow) AA flight/number-double check that KTN is in AA profile and itinerary on AA.com under details, yes, check in online, no pre-check.