Nov 22, 2012, 3:26 am
Last edit by: rustykettel
PreCheck FAQ:
What is PreCheck?
TSA Pre✓™ allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines, members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs, or randomly selected passengers to receive expedited screening benefits during domestic travel. Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. (from http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-pre%E2%9C%93%E2%84%A2)
What do I need to do to enroll in PreCheck?
There are two ways to enroll in PreCheck:
1. Be invited by Alaska Airlines, or
2. Sign up for a Trusted Traveler program
At this time, Alaska appears to have only invited a limited number of MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K flyers to use PreCheck. Anyone can sign up for a Trusted Traveler program, though.
See the Alaska Airlines PreCheck FAQ page for good, detailed information on how to ensure you are set to receive PreCheck benefits.
If you are relying on a Trusted Traveler program membership to grant PreCheck access, be sure your name in your "Personal Information" in your "Traveler Profile" (as specified in the link above) is an exact match with what is displayed in your online GOES profile. If it is not, then either contact Alaska to have your profile's name edited, or be sure to edit your SecureFlight data each time you book a new reservation so that your name is an exact match with your GOES profile. A mismatch is very likely to prevent you from being selected for PreCheck.
It is also possible that you have been randomly selected for PreCheck.
If you are randomly selected, you'll see the PreCheck logo displayed on your paper or mobile boarding pass. You'll have all the benefits of PreCheck status for that flight and can use the PreCheck lane in your city of departure.
Should I opt-in with AS or sign up for a Trusted Traveler program?
Opting in with AS is free.
The Trusted Traveler programs have an associated membership fee and interview process but grant additional benefits for international travelers Global Entry is $100 for a five-year membership, requires an interview at one of several enrollment centers across the US, and allows expedited re-entry into the U.S. NEXUS is $50 for a five-year membership, includes a complimentary Global Entry membership, requires an interview at one of a handful of selected enrollment centers near the Canadian border, and allows access to expedited lanes when crossing into Canada or the U.S. at a land crossing. SENTRI is similar to NEXUS but works for the Mexican border instead. Once you receive your approval letter, the numbers on the letter are your TSA PreCheck number. When scheduling your interview, it does not have to be the nearest center - so keep this in mind and consider your travels.
Reports are that those using a Trusted Traveler membership program tend to have higher PreCheck selection rates than those who simply opt in through AS. It's possible that elites who have opted in and provide a Known Traveler program number have the highest selection rates of all, although no method guarantees 100% selection for PreCheck.
How to Add Your PASSID to Existing Reservations
If you receive approval for PreCheck via Global Entry, Nexus or another Trusted Traveler program you will receive a card which (typically on the back) contains a PASSID number. For already existing AS reservations, go to the "My Trips" section of the Alaska website. Under each reservation, go to the "Traveler Information" section. On the right side is "Traveler Documentation." Click on the "Enter Required Documentation" link and select the traveler on the itinerary (if there is more than one traveler). Click the "Continue" button and then click on the "Enter Known Traveler/Redress Number" link. In the box for "Known Traveler Number" enter the PASSID that has been assigned. Click the "Continue" button and repeat as necessary until all the existing reservations have been populated with the PASSID.
What airports does AS participate in PreCheck?
See the map on TSA's site or download the PDF guide from TSA's site. Also note, though, if:
a) You are flying on AS, and
b) You have opted in to PreCheck, and
c) the airport has a PreCheck checkpoint (shown on the map or PDF), and
d) TSA doesn't randomly decide to deny you (hopefully not),
then (assuming you qualify for and have opted in to PreCheck) you will receive a PreCheck-enabled BP. Unless the PreCheck checkpoint leads to a concourse that is not attached to the concourse containing your departure gate, you can use PreCheck at that airport. It does not matter if TSA's map or PDF guide do not specify that Alaska participates at that particular airport.
Some airports have a version of PreCheck referred to as "PreCheck Lite." Those airports (either due to space or staffing limitations) modify the benefits of PreCheck --- you may need to remove your laptop and/or remove your liquids. Keep an eye out for signage in the PreCheck lane to see if modifications have been made to PreCheck at your departure airport. You may be able to leave your shoes on (unless they have metal shanks that will alarm) and you may be able to leave light coats and sweaters on.
Here is a list of airports and checkpoint locations confirmed by FlyerTalkers to work for AS flyers:
Others listed on TSA's site as PreCheck airports but that FlyerTalkers have not verified. If you are familiar with any of these, please edit this wiki and move them to the above category!
-IAH (terminal C south)
-LIH (main terminal)
-MSP (checkpoint 4)
Links to other PreCheck-related threads on FlyerTalk
Airports with no Pre whatsoever:
GST
What is PreCheck?
TSA Pre✓™ allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines, members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs, or randomly selected passengers to receive expedited screening benefits during domestic travel. Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. (from http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-pre%E2%9C%93%E2%84%A2)
What do I need to do to enroll in PreCheck?
There are two ways to enroll in PreCheck:
1. Be invited by Alaska Airlines, or
2. Sign up for a Trusted Traveler program
At this time, Alaska appears to have only invited a limited number of MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K flyers to use PreCheck. Anyone can sign up for a Trusted Traveler program, though.
See the Alaska Airlines PreCheck FAQ page for good, detailed information on how to ensure you are set to receive PreCheck benefits.
If you are relying on a Trusted Traveler program membership to grant PreCheck access, be sure your name in your "Personal Information" in your "Traveler Profile" (as specified in the link above) is an exact match with what is displayed in your online GOES profile. If it is not, then either contact Alaska to have your profile's name edited, or be sure to edit your SecureFlight data each time you book a new reservation so that your name is an exact match with your GOES profile. A mismatch is very likely to prevent you from being selected for PreCheck.
It is also possible that you have been randomly selected for PreCheck.
If you are randomly selected, you'll see the PreCheck logo displayed on your paper or mobile boarding pass. You'll have all the benefits of PreCheck status for that flight and can use the PreCheck lane in your city of departure.
Should I opt-in with AS or sign up for a Trusted Traveler program?
Opting in with AS is free.
The Trusted Traveler programs have an associated membership fee and interview process but grant additional benefits for international travelers Global Entry is $100 for a five-year membership, requires an interview at one of several enrollment centers across the US, and allows expedited re-entry into the U.S. NEXUS is $50 for a five-year membership, includes a complimentary Global Entry membership, requires an interview at one of a handful of selected enrollment centers near the Canadian border, and allows access to expedited lanes when crossing into Canada or the U.S. at a land crossing. SENTRI is similar to NEXUS but works for the Mexican border instead. Once you receive your approval letter, the numbers on the letter are your TSA PreCheck number. When scheduling your interview, it does not have to be the nearest center - so keep this in mind and consider your travels.
Reports are that those using a Trusted Traveler membership program tend to have higher PreCheck selection rates than those who simply opt in through AS. It's possible that elites who have opted in and provide a Known Traveler program number have the highest selection rates of all, although no method guarantees 100% selection for PreCheck.
How to Add Your PASSID to Existing Reservations
If you receive approval for PreCheck via Global Entry, Nexus or another Trusted Traveler program you will receive a card which (typically on the back) contains a PASSID number. For already existing AS reservations, go to the "My Trips" section of the Alaska website. Under each reservation, go to the "Traveler Information" section. On the right side is "Traveler Documentation." Click on the "Enter Required Documentation" link and select the traveler on the itinerary (if there is more than one traveler). Click the "Continue" button and then click on the "Enter Known Traveler/Redress Number" link. In the box for "Known Traveler Number" enter the PASSID that has been assigned. Click the "Continue" button and repeat as necessary until all the existing reservations have been populated with the PASSID.
What airports does AS participate in PreCheck?
See the map on TSA's site or download the PDF guide from TSA's site. Also note, though, if:
a) You are flying on AS, and
b) You have opted in to PreCheck, and
c) the airport has a PreCheck checkpoint (shown on the map or PDF), and
d) TSA doesn't randomly decide to deny you (hopefully not),
then (assuming you qualify for and have opted in to PreCheck) you will receive a PreCheck-enabled BP. Unless the PreCheck checkpoint leads to a concourse that is not attached to the concourse containing your departure gate, you can use PreCheck at that airport. It does not matter if TSA's map or PDF guide do not specify that Alaska participates at that particular airport.
Some airports have a version of PreCheck referred to as "PreCheck Lite." Those airports (either due to space or staffing limitations) modify the benefits of PreCheck --- you may need to remove your laptop and/or remove your liquids. Keep an eye out for signage in the PreCheck lane to see if modifications have been made to PreCheck at your departure airport. You may be able to leave your shoes on (unless they have metal shanks that will alarm) and you may be able to leave light coats and sweaters on.
Here is a list of airports and checkpoint locations confirmed by FlyerTalkers to work for AS flyers:
- ANC (main [B/C] checkpoint)
- ATL (south checkpoint)
- AUS (central checkpoint to the left of the AS check-in counter)
- BLI (see post 1450 re removal of liquids)
- BNA (north checkpoint for concourses A/B)
- BOI (all passengers use one checkpoint)
- BOS (The C40-C42 area that AS now uses only has PreCheck Lite)
- BWI (C checkpoint, although A checkpoint also has it and it operates consistently throughout the day)
- BZN (single checkpoint, right side)
- DCA (south pier)
- DEN (both north and south checkpoints)
- DFW (Terminal E, near gate E15)
- EAT (PreCheck Lite at the only checkpoint)
- EUG (PreCheck Lite only)
- EWR (Terminal A3) Confirmed full-scale PreCheck, at least for the morning flight
- FAI (PreCheck Lite only)
- FLL (terminal 1, concourse C--open late afternoon to accommodate AS #33)
- GEG (Terminal C, left side of existing checkpoint, sporadic hours - see post 1403 for times)
- HNL (checkpoint 5-between Delta and United, lobbies 7 and 8)
- JNU (common upstairs checkpoint) PreCheck Lite.
- KOA Gate 7 - (AS) PreCheck Lite for the 11:55PM Redeye. Also had PreCheck Lite for the 3:00 ish flight to OAK.
- LAS (Terminal 3 (AS) next to F/elite line, Terminal 1 (AA/DL))
- LAX (T6 [where Alaska departs from]; it is also possible to use the PreCheck checkpoint in T4 [American], T5 [Delta], or T7 [United]; all are connected behind security)
- MCI (PreCheck Lite)
- MCO (Far side of terminal away from AS baggage claim/checkin counters)
- MFR (only one checkpoint in airport) PreCheck Lite. (Note: checkpoint completely closes at certain hours of the day. Very small airport.)
- MRY (PreCheck Lite)
- MSY (Concourse C)
- OAK (far right side, along exit pathway, well signed)
- OGG (right side as walking from AS check-in area)
- ORD (terminal 3, checkpoint 8)
- PDX (A/B/C checkpoint; PreCheck lane closes in evening, can use D/E PreCheck lane and airside walkway connector back to A/B/C)
- PHL (D/E checkpoint has TSA Pre✓; Pre✓ also typically available at B [far side of AA counters from AS gates] but not C [near side of AA counters]; all of PHL is connected behind security)
- PHX (First class TSA entrance in Terminal 2 is now for precheck and first)
- PSC (PreCheck Lite available at the central, and only, checkpoint)
- PSP (Left side of the TSA entry point. Note, they also send a lot of wheelchairs through there, so not always faster than the premium line.)
- RDU (Terminal 2)
- SAN (Terminal 1, far left lane)
- SEA (south checkpoint 2, central checkpoint 3 [the one leading to the central food court] and north checkpoint 5)
- SFO (International Terminal, A pier): enter at the center, the line dragon will point you to a separate line to the left if you have PreCheck on your boarding pass. Normal PreCheck.
- SIT (Central checkpoint, Gate 1: PreCheck Lite)
- SJC (terminal B)
- SLC (use Terminal 2 checkpoint, All connected airside)
- SMF (far left, terminals A and B)
- SNA (terminal 1, lane 1)
- STL (Alaska Terminal & Checkpoint, Right side)
- TPA (Airside A)
Others listed on TSA's site as PreCheck airports but that FlyerTalkers have not verified. If you are familiar with any of these, please edit this wiki and move them to the above category!
-IAH (terminal C south)
-LIH (main terminal)
-MSP (checkpoint 4)
Links to other PreCheck-related threads on FlyerTalk
- The United PreCheck Thread (the most extensive wiki and discussion on the topic)
- The Delta PreCheck Thread
- The AA PreCheck Thread
- Questions about Global Entry are best served in the Practical Travel Safety Issues forum
- The Air Canada NEXUS thread
Airports with no Pre whatsoever:
GST
TSA Pre✓™ (PreCheck) on Alaska Airlines - Questions and Experiences (2012-21)
Mar 21, 2013, 10:27 am
#887
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
PHL
Good news on this front. Two of us successfully used OLCI BPs printed at our hotel for precheck at PHL last weekend. Maybe AS was able to address the problem after you contacted them.
Mar 21, 2013, 12:06 pm
#888
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
So any word from AS on whether this can be expanded to MVP level, and also at SFO and OAK?
As most airlines at SFO already have pre-check, you would think it not difficult to add AS. But does not seem to be on the priority list after the initial rollout at SEA.
Just makes Clear all that more valuable at SFO...
As most airlines at SFO already have pre-check, you would think it not difficult to add AS. But does not seem to be on the priority list after the initial rollout at SEA.
Just makes Clear all that more valuable at SFO...
Mar 21, 2013, 12:14 pm
#889
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: AS Million Miler since 2011, Lifetime MVPG
Posts: 853
So any word from AS on whether this can be expanded to MVP level, and also at SFO and OAK?
As most airlines at SFO already have pre-check, you would think it not difficult to add AS. But does not seem to be on the priority list after the initial rollout at SEA.
Just makes Clear all that more valuable at SFO...
As most airlines at SFO already have pre-check, you would think it not difficult to add AS. But does not seem to be on the priority list after the initial rollout at SEA.
Just makes Clear all that more valuable at SFO...
Last edited by slopeboy40; Mar 21, 2013 at 12:16 pm Reason: Spelling error.
Mar 21, 2013, 2:14 pm
#890
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sunny Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 539
Mar 21, 2013, 3:16 pm
#891
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
While I was waiting, there was a very official looking TSA guy (not CAS, the contractor), helping his friends get through the line
, but we chatted for a few minutes. He said right now there are no plans for PreCheck at T1, but "it's in the works" to be rolled out in more locations, and to include more people. He said there's a lack of space at T1 to get the lane in there right now, but I don't see why they couldn't fit one in the overflow room by the cafeteria. Delta doesn't have one at their pier either. I suspect we'll see one at SJC or OAK before SFO, especially when WN joins the program.
He did offer some advice. He said go work for an airline in inflight and join "Known Crewmember."
Mar 21, 2013, 3:48 pm
#892
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
As MVPGs my husband and I didn't get invited by AS so we got Global Entry as a means to use precheck. If you are MVP and want to use precheck you could go that route (or try Nexus.) If AS does decide to expand its pool of invitees I'd assume they'd start with folks who fly more than you or I do. Maybe someone else has a different take?
Mar 21, 2013, 4:27 pm
#893
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
Mar 21, 2013, 5:21 pm
#895
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,291
As to AS at SFO, one could try clearing Pre-Check in T3, then taking the United airside shuttle to T1. You might, however, need to talk yourself past the Airserv dragon at the door to the shuttle. (As far as the security checkpoint at T3, I don't think CAS would care that you're holding an AS boarding pass, if you say you're taking the shuttle.) I have not seen reports of anyone trying this.
I wish they had Pre-Check at OAK, as we are flying out of there on AS next week. Unfortunately, Pre-Check is like a drug -- hard to go without it.
Mar 21, 2013, 5:31 pm
#896
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Just sign up for Global Entry. It is a surer route to Pre-Check than airline status.
As to AS at SFO, one could try clearing Pre-Check in T3, then taking the United airside shuttle to T1. You might, however, need to talk yourself past the Airserv dragon at the door to the shuttle. (As far as the security checkpoint at T3, I don't think CAS would care that you're holding an AS boarding pass, if you say you're taking the shuttle.) I have not seen reports of anyone trying this.
As to AS at SFO, one could try clearing Pre-Check in T3, then taking the United airside shuttle to T1. You might, however, need to talk yourself past the Airserv dragon at the door to the shuttle. (As far as the security checkpoint at T3, I don't think CAS would care that you're holding an AS boarding pass, if you say you're taking the shuttle.) I have not seen reports of anyone trying this.
I appreciate the suggestion, but the shuttle would take more time than simply using Clear and risking the usual TSA molestation.
My point is: AS should roll this out to all elites who are GE members and should ask TSA to roll it out for its terminals at airports like SFO that already support precheck.
The space issue is BS, it is more about personnel cost. They have reconfig the space several times since 9/11, it is easy to do if there is a will to do it.
Mar 21, 2013, 5:38 pm
#897
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
I was never under the impression that all MVPGs were invited and that's fine with me. Global Entry has given me 17 consecutive successful trips through precheck (plus additional triple beeps at airports that don't have precheck) so it's been well worth it.
I was pretty much fed up with air travel last year due primarily to the unpleasant experiences I was having sometimes at security. One TSA agent physically hurt me while doing her bit when I opted out and I was losing patience with the travelers ahead of me in line at security when they were either thoughtless or clueless or both. I was biting my tongue too often and was about ready to cut back my air travel to only when absolutely necessary. Precheck literally turned that around and Global Entry made it possible.
Stepping off my soapbox now...
Mar 21, 2013, 5:58 pm
#898
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AS MVP, PriorityPass, Global Entry
Posts: 748
That is already true, if you have GE, you can enter your PASSID into your profile/the ticket, and you can use PreCheck (excluding the TSA not allowing it for a particular flight or for other issues). AS doesn't have to invite you to use PreCheck if you have GE, period, no ifs, ands, or buts. An invitation from AS only makes a difference if you don't have GE (or Nexus or SENTRI).
That's a whole other issue, and I'm sure they want it, but it depends on the TSA's roll out schedule and deployment choices.
and should ask TSA to roll it out for its terminals at airports like SFO that already support precheck.
Mar 21, 2013, 6:53 pm
#899
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: 23,195
If you are asking for PreCheck at a particular terminal, I'd suggest writing all three. Also consider writing a letter to the airline operating the majority of flights/gates behind a particular checkpoint--at SFO, AS is a minority player, but if you can get US Airways to push for PreCheck (WN is the majority player in terminal 1-B, but good luck getting them to push for PreCheck, seeing as how they don't participate), AS flyers will benefit from that.
Mar 21, 2013, 8:17 pm
#900
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,834
That is already true, if you have GE, you can enter your PASSID into your profile/the ticket, and you can use PreCheck (excluding the TSA not allowing it for a particular flight or for other issues). AS doesn't have to invite you to use PreCheck if you have GE, period, no ifs, ands, or buts. An invitation from AS only makes a difference if you don't have GE (or Nexus or SENTRI).