Originally Posted by
livebetter_travelmore
Local Austin news channel reported that airport security started testing validation of PreCheck via photo ID only (effective July 27); i.e. no boarding pass required.
It seems like this might move PreCheck line faster given there's no need to scrutinize a boarding pass, and perhaps removes the barrier when traveling on an airline that didn't support PreCheck. It's not entirely clear, though, as the article states that the technology verifies the ID and cross-references the "secure flight database". I wonder if that means it only checks if you have PreCheck, or have PreCheck -and- you appear to have a flight that day and on a PreCheck-supported airline? If the latter restrictions are lifted, in theory a PreCheck member not flying that day could accompany friends and family to the gate who are flying out, or meet them at the gate upon arrival like the good, old days.
"Secure Flight Passenger Data" is the section of each airline reservation where the traveler's Name, gender and DOB are recorded. A lookup of a "secure flight database" would only match your driver license if someone with your same name, gender, date of birth, was also traveling from that airport that same day.