On Friday I flew out of SFO with Aer Lingus. As a holder of Global Entry I have always been able to use PreTSA in the past, even in those few cases when it was not specifically indicated on my boarding card. But Aer Lingus apparently does not participate in PreTSA (despite their entire long-haul network being focused on North America), so the agent at SFO (private contractor CAS) did not let me use PreTSA and proceeded to rudely lecture me that Global Entry had nothing to do with PreTSA. :roll eyes: I ended up getting pissed off at him, but dutifully waited in line (over one hour) as I realise the rules do in fact state the airline must participate. Other passengers were having similar experiences around me.

Overall, a very disappointing experience. It baffles me that "airlines must participate" to begin with, when I have already been vetted and have a card to prove it. It baffles me that security agents charged with protecting our airways are not up to date with current rules (i.e. that Global Entry entitles one to use PreTSA). It baffles me, and everybody it seems, that an agency and our airport infrastructure cannot adequately carry out a core and basic function: security.