TSA Pre-Check for United Airlines Passengers - Questions and Experiences (2013)

As of the beginning of October 2013, PreCheck has begun its transition from a well-developed pilot program to a full-fledged part of TSA security. In the span of a couple of weeks, the TSA began offering some version of PreCheck at nearly every significant airport in the country and at additional checkpoints in airports that already had it. With the transition, you might notice some changes, including:

In order to keep this busy thread of use to UA travellers, please hold meta-discussion about the PreCheck program in the Practical Travel Issues and Safety Issues forum. Posts in this thread that are more topical to Travel Safety will be moved.

With thanks to FriendlySkies and the mods we've created the below text so we can all keep it up to date



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 ^

Note that a recent (October 2013) development is a hybrid "expedited security" lane at some lower-traffic airports and terminals without a full PreCheck lane (these will be denoted further down in this wiki). These lanes will allow travelers to continue through the WTMDs without removing shoes, belts, and outerwear, but because the X-ray machines are shared with non-PreCheck travelers, travelers will still need to remove laptops and liquids from their bags.


United offers MileagePlus members the opportunity to sign-up for Pre-Check access. To do so, you must sign in to your MileagePlus account on United.com, and click the button to �Opt-In� for Pre-Check. You will not receive any communication from United about your status in the program.

United will also unilaterally enroll MileageaPlus members in Pre-Check. Nothing else has to be done. You will receive communication from United when it unilaterally enrolls you.


If you are a member of one of the government Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry, NEXUS, or Sentri), enter your PASS ID in the box provided on United.com. By doing so, you can greatly increase your chances of receiving Pre-Check access on qualifying itineraries.

Note that only U.S. and Canadian citizens can qualify for PreCheck via a Trusted Traveler program. Non-citizen residents will not receive PreCheck via a Trusted Traveler program; however, non-citizens who have been invited to participate in PreCheck via an airline program may still receive PreCheck benefits. If this is the case for you, it's best to remove your Trusted Traveler program number from your airline profile so that TSA won't know your citizenship status. You may also be turned away from the PreCheck lane at the airport if you produce a form of ID that identifies you as a non-citizen.

Your PASS ID can be found either on your program card, or in your Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) account.


Starting on December 20th, 2013, active duty military, Reserve, National Guard and US Coast Guard will receive Pre-Check at all available airports.

To receive Pre-Check:
1. Look on the back of your CAC for your DOD ID number
2. Enter the number into the 'Known Traveler Number' field in your MP account (and any existing reservations, if they were made before entering the number)

It is unknown how tight the name matching is, but assume it is like for those who have Global Entry/NEXUS and make sure that the name on reservation matches exactly to your CAC.

More info here: http://blog.tsa.gov/2013/11/dodtsa-p...itary-tsa.html

How to Determine Pre-Check Access

It is not necessary to confirm Pre-Check acceptance in advance. Most airports have one of the two following set-ups:

• A line guardian at the entrance to the Pre-Check line to verify whether your boarding pass qualifies
• A pass-through gate at the TSA document checker to allow those who ended up in the Pre-Check lane but do not qualify for Pre-Check to cut to the front of the regular security line

Thus, if you do not have PreCheck, you'll just be redirected to the regular screening line.

However, many of us find it useful to verify in advance that we have been selected for Pre-Check in order to adjust our plans (arrival time at airport, accessibility of liquids and laptops in carry-ons, etc.) accordingly.

On OLCI, mobile (but not Passbook), and some kiosk printed boarding passes, the "TSA PreCheck" logo may appear at the top of your BP. This means you have been granted access for that trip.

If you are not seeing the TSA PreCheck logo, or if you just want to confirm that you will be receiving PreCheck benefits, you can also scan the bar code to verify using the following instructions:

There are two types of barcodes for the boarding passes that major airlines use. They are PDF417, which is used for counter or online boarding passes, and Aztec, which is solely used for mobile boarding passes.

Downloading an app to your iPhone, Blackberry, or Windows phone that supports Aztec or PDF417 will allow you to determine ahead of time if you have been granted Pre-Check access. The following links will allow you to download apps for scanning your boarding pass.

Paper Boarding Pass Scanning Apps

Android - Manatee, Aztec

iPhone - Manatee

(If using Manatee, be sure to enable PDF417 on the settings screen)

Mobile Boarding Pass Scanning Apps

Android - NeoReader - Aztec

Blackberry - NeoReader - Aztec

iPhone - Qrafter (preferred), NeoReader - Aztec

Windows Phone - NeoReader - Aztec

Once you download a supported app, and scan the barcode on your boarding pass, you should see a bunch of data that looks similar to this example:

If you see a 3 in the position before "UA UA", then you will receive Pre-Check access. If there is a 0 in the spot, you will not receive Pre-Check access.

e.g. ...53 UA UA = Pre-Check
e.g. ...20 UA UA = No Pre-Check



If you belong to one of the Trusted Traveler Programs listed above, you may run into issues getting Pre-Check clearance if your Secure Flight Data is not an exact match to GOES.

For example, if your airline account has Bob Jones, but your GOES (the Global Online Enrollment System, which you use to sign up for a Trusted Traveler Program) 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.

TSA recently approved Pre-Check for use with international itineraries to specific countries. In practice, it seems that Pre-Check is (at least sometimes) working for international itineraries to other destinations as well. It remains to be seen whether international itineraries have a lower Pre-Check selection rate (higher "random" rejection rate) than domestic itineraries, but it may be a factor if you do not get Pre-Check access on a particular itinerary.


United has added Pre-Check location indicators to their airport maps:

http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...s/default.aspx

TSA has again provided an alphabetical list of participating airports and this list includes operating hours. Note: United may be available at airports even though it is not specifically listed (e.g. DFW). Also, if you find that the hours listed on the TSA list are incorrect, please add corrections below under the appropriate airport:

Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at the Main Checkpoint
• Observed hours....: unknown

Albany International Airport (ALB)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at the Main Checkpoint
• Observed hours....: Peak hours, approx. 4:30am - 7:15am, 10:00am-12:00pm per TSA agent
  Per passenger traveling NOV 09 2013 no PreCheck on weekends per TSA

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at the far right of A/B Concourse checkpoint.
• Observed hours ....: unknown

Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at the South Checkpoint.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at both the Main and North checkpoints.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: Pre-Check at North Checkpoint does not open until 5:00 a.m.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at Checkpoint 2, Lane 4.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at Checkpoint D in the Main Terminal
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

• Pre-Check access is now located at both Terminal A (PMCO) and Terminal C (PMUA), as well as the US Shuttle checkpoint in Terminal B.
• Since the Terminal C hours seem to be a big longer, there is a free airside shuttle operated by United to link to the terminals. The shuttle arrives/departs from Gate A9, to the left as you exit security, and all the way to the windows, next to Delta's A10.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: Open daily and from first flight to last flight

Bradley International Airport (Hartford-Springfield) (BDL)

• The Precheck lane is located to the far right as passengers enter the inspection area.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

• The new Precheck lane will be located to the left as passengers enter the inspection area.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

• Pre-Check access is located at the security checkpoint closest to the United ticket counters (Main Terminal, Checkpoint B)
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

• There are two PreCheck lanes in Terminal 1 (checkpoints #1 and 2), and one PreCheck lane in Terminal 2 (checkpoint #5). One is on the far left wall of the Premier Access Checkpoint by the GS lounge in Terminal 1 (checkpoint 2), the other is on the far right wall of the Premier Access Checkpoint by the LH counter (Checkpoint 1).
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: None

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

• Pre-Check is located at the Main Checkpoint in Terminal 3
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

• Pre-Check lanes are available at the Concourse C (United) checkpoint and Concourse B (Southwest/Delta) checkpoint in the Main Terminal. All concourses are connected behind security.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

• DFW is not listed as a UA PreCheck station, but it is possible. The closest Pre-Check security point is a short walk away at E15 (checkpoint to the left of the Delta and Virgin check-in counters). UPDATE: There is now a Pre-Check station next to the UA counter, so you don't have to go to Delta. But the UA Pre-Check position is open only limited hours (4A - 8A, and noon to ??) UA flyers may use the DL Pre-Check which is open continuously.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

• [*]

Denver International Airport (DEN)

• South Checkpoint now has two PreCheck lanes (East side and West side beside CLEAR) and North Checkpoint next to the CLEAR kiosks, Terminal West side.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: 6:00am-8:00pm, daily. South Checkpoint Terminal East was open at 5:35A

Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

• Changed 6/22/16: Now the Pre-Check lane is located to the far left, at the only security station, which is up the escalators. It is a dedicated lane, with signage beginning already on floor below, funneling Pre-Check passengers to left escalator, which funnels to the U-shaped Pre-Check lane, with ID check either at beginning of U or in the middle of U (meaning, if you change your mind for whatever reason, you'll have to back upstream through the standing passengers to get out of Pre-Check area. Is full Pre-Check, liquids and laptops can stay in the bags. HOWEVER, there is only the one Pre-Check body scanner. So, because of configuration - if get dinged for random scan, hardware, or any other reason, will be patted down. Apparently the pat-down "type" will be randomly assigned (hands, hips, bags) via some protocol. If prefer to go through other machine, will have to swim back upstream thru all the waiting passengers to be waved through regular security.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: Is open all hours security is open.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

• North Terminal, both checkpoints
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: None

Flint Bishop International (FNT)

• "Expedited Security" only

Greensboro (GSO)

• North Concourse
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours:None

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT)
"Expedited Security" only

Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

• Pre-Check lane is located at Checkpoint 5; the one closest to UA's check-in counters and the "Gold Lane"
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

• The Pre-Check lanes are located at Terminals A, C, and E (Terminal C use South Checkpoint near the Premier check in area). Terminal E PreCheck only open 4:30am to 10am.
• Pre-Check "Lite" available for eligible pax connecting from international flights to domestic (Terminal E). No priority lane, but allowed to keep shoes on for WTMD screening.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: "Expedited Security" for PreCheck passengers after listed closing time of 8pm.

Huntsville (Alabama) International Airport (HSV)
"Expedited Security" only

Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at Checkpoint A in the main terminal
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Kahului Airport (OGG)
Line closest to Hawaiian Airlines Checkin.

Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

• Precheck lane is located on the far left side of the UA checkpoint - Elite line is on the far right
• Hours not posted, though appears to be open for most if not all UA departures

Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA)

• Precheck lane is located at the UA/US departures gate entrance
• Hours were not posted but presumably aligned with at least redeye departures bank and possibly also afternoon departures

Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)

• Precheck is at the departure entrance to airside.
• A single TSA scans boarding passes for both Pre and non-Pre with Pre passengers sent to the Pre line to the right. It's a bit awkward and requires passengers to queue well back of the TSA agent so Pre flyers can back up to the Pre entrance.

Las Vegas McCarran Airport (LAS)

• Pre-Check access is in Terminal 3
• Airport employee at the entrance will scan your boarding pass to determine if you are eligible for access.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Lihue (Kauai, Hawaii) Airport (LIH)

• Pre-Check is located at the Main Checkpoint. The Pre Entrance is on the left side of the screening area as you face the terminal
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Lincoln Airport (LNK)
"Expedited Security" only

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

• The Pre-Check lanes are located at both T6 and T7 checkpoints.
• Enter from the Premier Check-In Lobby in Terminal 6, then walk to the checkpoint between Terminals 6 & 7, or if you're leaving from a gate in the 60's you can use the T6 checkpoint.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Louisville International Airport (SDF)

• The Pre-Check lane is at the main terminal security checkpoint (the only checkpoint at SDF).
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Madison, WI (MSN)
At the bottom and the top of the escalator that leads to security (and to the gates) you will see a PreCheck sign. Just as you reach the top of the escalator, walk straight ahead to the line that is clearly marked.

Manchester�Boston Regional Airport (MHT)

• TSA is starting to setup Pre-Check at the main MHT security checkpoint. There are signs for a lane and while the lane was not operational exactly, you might still be screened as pre-check there (positive experience on 10/10/2013).
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: Not listed on TSA website yet.

Memphis International Airport (MEM)

• The Pre-Check lane is at B Checkpoint.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Miami International Airport (MIA)

• "Expected Security" at UA's checkpoint G
• Shoes, belt stay on; WTMD; laptop comes out of bag

Midland International Airport (MAF)
"Expedited Security" only

Minneapolis�Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at Checkpoint 4, near Door 3
• If you're facing the UA ticket counter, it's the first checkpoint to the left
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Mobile Regional Airport (MOB)
"Expedited Security" only

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)

• "Expedited Security" only

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at the main checkpoint.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

• Located at checkpoints C1 (right side), C2 (left side; as opposed to what's listed on TSA website), and C3 (left side)
• Terminal A now with slightly expedited service (shoes on, but no other changes)
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: closes at 6:00pm on Fridays; C1 open on Saturday at 9:00pm

New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY)

• Located at the Terminal D checkpoint

New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

• "Expedited Security" in Terminal 7, uses Premium Passenger security lane
• PreCheck verification by TSA agent before directed into the PreCheck-designate security lane
• Currently requires removal of laptop and liquid

New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

• Central Terminal Building (Terminal B), Concourse C checkpoint
• Lanes from left to right are: Pre-Check, Premier/Elite, everybody else
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: TBD

Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA)
"Expedited Security" only

Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)

• West security checkpoint

Orange County/Santa Ana John Wayne Airport (SNA)

• Pre-Check is now also at located at Terminal B (United), but only Mon-Fri 5:00am-7:00am and Sat-Sun 6:00am-8:00am. Pre-Check is still available at Terminal A (right side, with clearly signed entrance) 5:00am-9:00pm daily.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

• Pre-Check is live for AA/UA/US passengers at the Gates 1-59 checkpoint
• Located on the left side of the checkpoint, next to the CLEAR kiosks.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Philadelphia International Airport

• The Pre-Check lane is located at Checkpoint D.
• The USAir Pre-Check lane is located at Checkpoint C lane 5. This lane also accepts passengers with UA Boarding Passes.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

• The Pre-Check lane is on the far left when approaching security..
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at the main checkpoint
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Port Columbus International Airport (CMH)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at Checkpoint B to the far left
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Portland International Airport (PDX)

• The Pre-Check lane is located on the far left of the ABC Checkpoint, and as of Sept 30, 13 the far right of the DE Checkpoint
• Lane shared with the First Class/Premier line
• After clearing security head to right towards C terminal. The concourse connector is before gate C2 on the right. It will bring you to the D/E side where UA departs from.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Portland International Jetport (PWM)

• The Pre-Check lane is located the main checkpoint (all gates)
• Observed hours: Closed on Saturday morning. TSA said not enough staff or demand to keep it open off peak, but they will give an expedited card if the Pre lane is closed.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at the Terminal 2 Checkpoint, on the far left side.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Richmond International Airport (RIC)
Pre-check lane for United passengers is located at main security entrance at the Concourse B to the far right.

Rochester International Airport (ROC)
Pre-check lane located at main security entrance

Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

• Precheck located at terminal A main security, to the left near the crew and priority lanes. Terminal B PRE is in the works...supposedly.
• According to TSA representative it's only operational from 4:30-6am right now to coincide with the early AM departures bank. They are lobbying for more staffing to have it open all the time in the future.
• When Pre isn't open, passengers should qualify for pre-Jr. which is laptops/liquids out, shoes/jackets on, metal detector only if showing PRE on their boarding passes.

Saginaw, MI - MBS International Airport (MBS)
"Expedited Security" only

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

• The Pre-Check lane for UA is located at Terminal One. Only open 5-8AM and 3:30 to 5pm at T1. The Terminal 2 checkpoint is open more hours and you can use either checkpoint and connect airside.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

• The Pre-Check lane for UA is located at the T2 checkpoint (on the left hand side?); opened Oct 10 '13.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: ?

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

• The Pre-Check lanes for UA are located at the Premier checkpoint in T3 (the one closest to the international terminal), along the far left wall of the checkpoint, at the security entrance nearest to gate 71 (in the middle of T3), and at T1 for any United Express flights departing from there.
• Dedicated Pre lane now open at Terminal G (International). Located to far left as you face security. Hours unknown.
• Premier checkpoint verifies eligibility at the beginning of the line by scanning the BP
• Central T3 checkpoint verifies eligibility by confirming the PreCheck logo on the BP - Passbook BP will not work until the precheck logo issue is resolved.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

San Jose International Airport (SJC)

• The Pre-Check lanes for UA are located at Terminal A checkpoint (UA/AA/DL/US/VX terminal) along the far right side of the checkpoint.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: Site is not listed on TSA website but is in full effect.

San Juan, Puerto Rico Luis Mu�oz Mar�n International Airport (SJU)

• The Pre-Check lane is located in the Main Terminal at Checkpoint 4
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: reports of going thru as early as 4:15am on a Saturday

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

• There are Pre-Check lanes at all checkpoints at SEA except checkpoint 1 (which is only open very limited hours specifically for cruise ship pax). The closest checkpoint to the UA gates is checkpoint 2. All checkpoints at SEA are open 4am to 8pm except checkpoint 3 (center) which is open 24 hours. But PreCheck hours at #3 are limited to what's shown at the TSA website.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Southwest Florida International Airport / Ft. Myers (RSW)

• Pre-Check lane available at C Concourse (United/Delta)
  Hours unknown. May get Pre-Check "Lite" depending on demand.

St. Louis - Lambert International Airport (STL)

• The Pre-Check lane is located at Terminal 1, Concourse A
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)

• The Pre-Check lane is located to the far right, at the only security station, which is up the escalators. It is a dedicated lane and is full Pre-Check, liquids and laptops can stay in the bags.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

• The Pre-Check lane is on the right, next to priority security lane.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
Pre-check lane located at main security entrance

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

• Pre-Check is located in the center of the departures level in the main terminal (near Harry's Tap Room)
• If you do not get Pre-Check, you can still utilize the screening lanes adjacent to the Pre-Check lane. Those lanes feature one WTMD and one MMW scanner.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: none

Washington Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

• United travelers can access the Pre-Check lane in Terminal C (South Pier). The entrance is located on the far right of the checkpoint.
• Observed hours that differ from TSA's hours: Closes at 6:00pm

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

• United travelers have access to Pre-Check lane

West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

• United travelers have access to Pre-Check "Lite" at Terminal A/B Checkpoint.
• According to TSA's hours Hours are 04:30AM - 06:00PM.

Airports Scheduled to Come Online in 2013

Note: Some of these airlines are already online, though they are not setup at the checkpoints for UA gates.

• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

This thread replaces the original Pre-Check thread.