I occasionally get precheck even though I didn't apply for it.
Aug 31, 2015, 8:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 223
I occasionally get precheck even though I didn't apply for it.
Have never signed up for pre check or gloabl entry but on several recent trips I've been given PreCheck access and it obviously is a much better experience, especially when traveling with family/children.
Anyone know why we occasionally get this and is there anything to improve chances of having it happen more often?
Anyone know why we occasionally get this and is there anything to improve chances of having it happen more often?
Aug 31, 2015, 9:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Have never signed up for pre check or gloabl entry but on several recent trips I've been given PreCheck access and it obviously is a much better experience, especially when traveling with family/children.
Anyone know why we occasionally get this and is there anything to improve chances of having it happen more often?
Anyone know why we occasionally get this and is there anything to improve chances of having it happen more often?
Best way to improve your chances is definitely to sign up for either Precheck, Global Entry or Nexus. The latter two programs also get you through customs and immigration faster, so are generally better if you do much in the way of international travel.
Aug 31, 2015, 10:48 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: ANC
Programs: Alaska 100k
Posts: 1,012
Sign up for Global Entry or NEXUS. If you go across the northern border with any regularity, NEXUS is indispensable. With all three programs, you get PreCheck at nearly 100% (I've had it on all ~50 qualifying flights since approval).
Sep 1, 2015, 2:13 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Have never signed up for pre check or gloabl entry but on several recent trips I've been given PreCheck access and it obviously is a much better experience, especially when traveling with family/children.
Anyone know why we occasionally get this and is there anything to improve chances of having it happen more often?
Anyone know why we occasionally get this and is there anything to improve chances of having it happen more often?
I found my answer
https://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/apply
Children 12 and under can go with you through pre-check. Older family members cannot.
Sep 1, 2015, 6:10 am
#6
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Have never signed up for pre check or gloabl entry but on several recent trips I've been given PreCheck access and it obviously is a much better experience, especially when traveling with family/children.
Anyone know why we occasionally get this and is there anything to improve chances of having it happen more often?
Anyone know why we occasionally get this and is there anything to improve chances of having it happen more often?
Sep 1, 2015, 10:07 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 616
When the regular security lines start to backup, sometimes a TSA worker will direct people to the Pre Check line because it's faster. I've seen them either direct people that way or touch an Ipad that has an arrow that randomly picks a direction.
Sep 2, 2015, 10:58 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 223
I occasionally get precheck even though I didn't apply for it.
thanks everyone. in my situation the precheck was printed on my boarding pass so it wasnt a case of TSA wanting to mitigate long lines (although I have experienced that once too). I am guessing it is due to AA recommending me as has been suggested in this thread. so it sounds like I may or may not get this benefit but there is nothing I can do to improve my chances without actually signing up. thanks, all
Sep 2, 2015, 3:22 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Supposedly at age 75 or older you are eligible for kind of a PreCheck Lite or expedited screening. Not exactly the same but close. May be that the airlines are pushing forward older flyers for PreCheck and TSA is approving a lot of those to speed up screening.
Sep 2, 2015, 10:48 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 223
I occasionally get precheck even though I didn't apply for it.
for the record. I'm not anywhere near 75. I thought it might be due to traveling with a young child but I've gotten precheck on my boarding pass even when traveling solo. I can't discern any pattern
Sep 3, 2015, 5:14 am
#12
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Then it's simply the luck of the draw and the airline pushing your name forward to TSA and you subsequently being accepted. TSA keeps saying this random selection is being reduced so you may see a drop off in your selection rate. Their whole ploy was to initially offer, through basically random selection and airlines pushing frequent flyers forward, PreCheck in hopes flyers would like it enough to sign up, in essence pay, for PreCheck or one of the other Trusted Traveler programs. Have to admit their ploy worked on me as I liked it enough that I signed up for Global Entry to get PreCheck and to expedite reentry into the US for my foreign travel.
