TSA PreCheck Program - Questions/Experiences for United Airlines Travellers
#1741
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Central US
Programs: UA Lifetime GS, AA EXP 1 MM, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat, Hyatt Gold, Hertz 5Star PC
Posts: 181
I was going to use the TSA Pre-check lane at SEA this morning, but it was a complete mess and I ended up getting through the regular security line much faster.
Seems a bit odd to me that the TSA Pre-check lane at Seattle is at the North end and not in the middle, more accessible to all gates & airlines. Oh well. No biggie, but it was just a bit strange that I sailed through regular security and even got waved through the old magnetic scanner instead of the x-ray.
Seems a bit odd to me that the TSA Pre-check lane at Seattle is at the North end and not in the middle, more accessible to all gates & airlines. Oh well. No biggie, but it was just a bit strange that I sailed through regular security and even got waved through the old magnetic scanner instead of the x-ray.
#1742
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 331
I've also posted this on the Security board but maybe I can get a clearer picture from fellow MileagePlus'ians.
I guess I don't understand this program at all!
Both my spouse and I have GE and have been approved for Pre-check. We have all our numbers registered with all the airlines and have Gold status with UA . We fly out of SFO (where pre-check is not even on the radar) but we were finally in an airport where it is offered (EWR).
I will add that we were on the inbound leg of an international, multi-stop itinerary. We were already through customs and immigration and needed to go back through security to head to SFO but we were denied. No explanation.....just a shrug of the agent's shoulders.
If this is a TSA/government endorsed program to which we have chosen to apply, relinquish some semblance of privacy and pay the fee for the privilege of being interviewed and scrutinized before being approved, why is it up to UA to say whether or when we can take advantage of it???
What am I missing???
I guess I don't understand this program at all!
Both my spouse and I have GE and have been approved for Pre-check. We have all our numbers registered with all the airlines and have Gold status with UA . We fly out of SFO (where pre-check is not even on the radar) but we were finally in an airport where it is offered (EWR).
I will add that we were on the inbound leg of an international, multi-stop itinerary. We were already through customs and immigration and needed to go back through security to head to SFO but we were denied. No explanation.....just a shrug of the agent's shoulders.
If this is a TSA/government endorsed program to which we have chosen to apply, relinquish some semblance of privacy and pay the fee for the privilege of being interviewed and scrutinized before being approved, why is it up to UA to say whether or when we can take advantage of it???
What am I missing???
#1743
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
I've also posted this on the Security board but maybe I can get a clearer picture from fellow MileagePlus'ians.
I guess I don't understand this program at all!
Both my spouse and I have GE and have been approved for Pre-check. We have all our numbers registered with all the airlines and have Gold status with UA . We fly out of SFO (where pre-check is not even on the radar) but we were finally in an airport where it is offered (EWR).
I will add that we were on the inbound leg of an international, multi-stop itinerary. We were already through customs and immigration and needed to go back through security to head to SFO but we were denied. No explanation.....just a shrug of the agent's shoulders.
If this is a TSA/government endorsed program to which we have chosen to apply, relinquish some semblance of privacy and pay the fee for the privilege of being interviewed and scrutinized before being approved, why is it up to UA to say whether or when we can take advantage of it???
What am I missing???
I guess I don't understand this program at all!
Both my spouse and I have GE and have been approved for Pre-check. We have all our numbers registered with all the airlines and have Gold status with UA . We fly out of SFO (where pre-check is not even on the radar) but we were finally in an airport where it is offered (EWR).
I will add that we were on the inbound leg of an international, multi-stop itinerary. We were already through customs and immigration and needed to go back through security to head to SFO but we were denied. No explanation.....just a shrug of the agent's shoulders.
If this is a TSA/government endorsed program to which we have chosen to apply, relinquish some semblance of privacy and pay the fee for the privilege of being interviewed and scrutinized before being approved, why is it up to UA to say whether or when we can take advantage of it???
What am I missing???
#1744
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
I've also posted this on the Security board but maybe I can get a clearer picture from fellow MileagePlus'ians.
I guess I don't understand this program at all!
Both my spouse and I have GE and have been approved for Pre-check. We have all our numbers registered with all the airlines and have Gold status with UA . We fly out of SFO (where pre-check is not even on the radar) but we were finally in an airport where it is offered (EWR).
I will add that we were on the inbound leg of an international, multi-stop itinerary. We were already through customs and immigration and needed to go back through security to head to SFO but we were denied. No explanation.....just a shrug of the agent's shoulders.
If this is a TSA/government endorsed program to which we have chosen to apply, relinquish some semblance of privacy and pay the fee for the privilege of being interviewed and scrutinized before being approved, why is it up to UA to say whether or when we can take advantage of it???
What am I missing???
I guess I don't understand this program at all!
Both my spouse and I have GE and have been approved for Pre-check. We have all our numbers registered with all the airlines and have Gold status with UA . We fly out of SFO (where pre-check is not even on the radar) but we were finally in an airport where it is offered (EWR).
I will add that we were on the inbound leg of an international, multi-stop itinerary. We were already through customs and immigration and needed to go back through security to head to SFO but we were denied. No explanation.....just a shrug of the agent's shoulders.
If this is a TSA/government endorsed program to which we have chosen to apply, relinquish some semblance of privacy and pay the fee for the privilege of being interviewed and scrutinized before being approved, why is it up to UA to say whether or when we can take advantage of it???
What am I missing???
Q. Can passengers access TSA Pre✓™ for international travel?
A. No. At this time, TSA Pre✓™ is only available for passengers traveling domestically on participating airlines. If any leg of an itinerary is international, the passenger will not qualify for TSA Pre✓™ for that itinerary and will go through traditional screening.
A. No. At this time, TSA Pre✓™ is only available for passengers traveling domestically on participating airlines. If any leg of an itinerary is international, the passenger will not qualify for TSA Pre✓™ for that itinerary and will go through traditional screening.
#1745
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,037
There should have been signs announcing that the PreCheck lane is moving from checkpoint #5 to checkpoint #3 (closer to the middle) next week; did you see any?
#1746
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,158
If this is a TSA/government endorsed program to which we have chosen to apply, relinquish some semblance of privacy and pay the fee for the privilege of being interviewed and scrutinized before being approved, why is it up to UA to say whether or when we can take advantage of it???
The fee you paid was for Global Entry - a separate program which serves a completely different purpose than PreCheck. Even though they are both a part of the Dept of Homeland Security, GE is run by CBP (Customs and Border Protection) and PreCheck is run by the TSA.
The fact that you had to submit to a background check for GE means you are automatically accepted for PreCheck but they are not one and the same.
#1747
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
I was going to use the TSA Pre-check lane at SEA this morning, but it was a complete mess and I ended up getting through the regular security line much faster.
Seems a bit odd to me that the TSA Pre-check lane at Seattle is at the North end and not in the middle, more accessible to all gates & airlines. Oh well. No biggie, but it was just a bit strange that I sailed through regular security and even got waved through the old magnetic scanner instead of the x-ray.
Seems a bit odd to me that the TSA Pre-check lane at Seattle is at the North end and not in the middle, more accessible to all gates & airlines. Oh well. No biggie, but it was just a bit strange that I sailed through regular security and even got waved through the old magnetic scanner instead of the x-ray.
If this is a TSA/government endorsed program to which we have chosen to apply, relinquish some semblance of privacy and pay the fee for the privilege of being interviewed and scrutinized before being approved, why is it up to UA to say whether or when we can take advantage of it???
There are two completely separate, independent ways to qualify for and sign up with PreCheck:
1) Be invited by your airline, OR
2) Become a Trusted Traveler via the CBP's Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI programs
For #1, airlines are typically only inviting their top (or near-top) elites. In UA's case, they're only offering it to Plats and 1Ks. In any case, if you opt-in to PreCheck via an invitation from UA, you will only get the benefit when flying on UA. Also, UA doesn't make the ultimate decision about whether you will receive PreCheck on any particular itinerary; they transmit your information to the TSA, who then responds back with a "yes" or "no," which UA then encodes in your boarding pass. Even if you qualify, TSA reserves the right to deny you PreCheck benefits on any particular itinerary (and appears to do that somewhat often) in order to introduce a certain amount of "randomness" into the process and keep you from getting too complacent about airport security.
For #2, you get your interview (as it sounds like you have done) and then receive a PASS ID number. You can then place that PASS ID into the Known Traveler Number field in any airline reservation (regardless of whether you've been invited to participate by that airline or not), and that will be transmitted to TSA (along with your name), and they will again determine whether to allow you access to PreCheck on that particular itinerary.
#1748
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,485
Invalid Sig
Got PreCheck (verified beforehand using PDF barcode reader).
Scan BP: get error about "Invalid Sig". I guess that means the hash didn't match... hmmm.
Scan the mobile BP (quite a PITA when using an iPad) and it works.
Scan BP: get error about "Invalid Sig". I guess that means the hash didn't match... hmmm.
Scan the mobile BP (quite a PITA when using an iPad) and it works.
#1749
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
As alluded to by mrswirl, in your instance, UA is not allowing or disallowing you from using PreCheck.
There are two completely separate, independent ways to qualify for and sign up with PreCheck:
1) Be invited by your airline, OR
2) Become a Trusted Traveler via the CBP's Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI programs
For #1, airlines are typically only inviting their top (or near-top) elites. In UA's case, they're only offering it to Plats and 1Ks. In any case, if you opt-in to PreCheck via an invitation from UA, you will only get the benefit when flying on UA. Also, UA doesn't make the ultimate decision about whether you will receive PreCheck on any particular itinerary; they transmit your information to the TSA, who then responds back with a "yes" or "no," which UA then encodes in your boarding pass. Even if you qualify, TSA reserves the right to deny you PreCheck benefits on any particular itinerary (and appears to do that somewhat often) in order to introduce a certain amount of "randomness" into the process and keep you from getting too complacent about airport security.
For #2, you get your interview (as it sounds like you have done) and then receive a PASS ID number. You can then place that PASS ID into the Known Traveler Number field in any airline reservation (regardless of whether you've been invited to participate by that airline or not), and that will be transmitted to TSA (along with your name), and they will again determine whether to allow you access to PreCheck on that particular itinerary.
There are two completely separate, independent ways to qualify for and sign up with PreCheck:
1) Be invited by your airline, OR
2) Become a Trusted Traveler via the CBP's Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI programs
For #1, airlines are typically only inviting their top (or near-top) elites. In UA's case, they're only offering it to Plats and 1Ks. In any case, if you opt-in to PreCheck via an invitation from UA, you will only get the benefit when flying on UA. Also, UA doesn't make the ultimate decision about whether you will receive PreCheck on any particular itinerary; they transmit your information to the TSA, who then responds back with a "yes" or "no," which UA then encodes in your boarding pass. Even if you qualify, TSA reserves the right to deny you PreCheck benefits on any particular itinerary (and appears to do that somewhat often) in order to introduce a certain amount of "randomness" into the process and keep you from getting too complacent about airport security.
For #2, you get your interview (as it sounds like you have done) and then receive a PASS ID number. You can then place that PASS ID into the Known Traveler Number field in any airline reservation (regardless of whether you've been invited to participate by that airline or not), and that will be transmitted to TSA (along with your name), and they will again determine whether to allow you access to PreCheck on that particular itinerary.
Also, you do not have to be "invited" by your airline if you don't have a TT number. Any UA MP member (I think, but at least any elite member, at least, from what I can tell) has the checkbox to apply. My wife, a 2P, without a TT number, or invitation from UA, has been successful with pre-check both directions on at least her last two trips. Some got invitations, sure, but it is not mandatory. I suspect FF status will help your acceptance (or acceptance rate) with the program.
I would guess it wasn't reading the bar code properly, causing an invalid sig. Maybe the bar code was too weak, or the reader wasn't working properly. I know my wife had this issue once, must have pulled the mobile bp away before it had finished reading it or something. But scanned it again and 3 beeps.
#1750
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
I've had this problem with mobile BPs at MCI. Usually the details show after a moment or two. If not, the clerk will rescan the BP and it will work.
#1751
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
GE number works on US flights
I was able to use the PreCheck line successfully at PIT on a US flight this past Wednesday. Entered my GE number (known traveler #?) into the reservation and it worked. No info carried over from UA FF #, it had to be done manually.
#1752
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: A3 Gold
Posts: 37
Thanks for the tip. I downloaded manatee scanner and scanned my BP from last week. No magic 3s. I have a trusted traveler number through NEXUS. What information has to match between reservation, airline profile and NEXUS profile? For example, do name/DOB have to match up exactly on all 3?
#1753
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
Thanks for the tip. I downloaded manatee scanner and scanned my BP from last week. No magic 3s. I have a trusted traveler number through NEXUS. What information has to match between reservation, airline profile and NEXUS profile? For example, do name/DOB have to match up exactly on all 3?
#1754
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Re: DEN
Pre-Check opens daily at 4:30am, and closes at 8:00pm.
Pre-Check opens daily at 4:30am, and closes at 8:00pm.
#1755
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,910
LAX success: MI only on BP, full name on ID field
Told the Van Nuys FlyAway driver "United Premier" which I wasn't (yet). Got off at T6 and headed to the roped "off" PreCheck line. Ducked and crossed. Non-TSA staffed asked whether I was PreCheck. Still to this point I couldn't be sure I really belonged, but less than half a minute later, THREE BEEPS!
BP only had LAST/FIRSTMMR. My online UA ID field had my full middle name. I believe it was without the hyphen, but it still worked.
Tomorrow's return from ATL will be AA, which doesn't officially have it yet. I'll go to the south PreCheck line and try. Report will be on AA's thread.
BP only had LAST/FIRSTMMR. My online UA ID field had my full middle name. I believe it was without the hyphen, but it still worked.
Tomorrow's return from ATL will be AA, which doesn't officially have it yet. I'll go to the south PreCheck line and try. Report will be on AA's thread.