Herb687

I always clear security at the E14 or E15 checkpoints because of generally much shorter lines than any of the AA terminals, parking usually available in the same part of the E garage so I can just go to my regular spot (only once was not able to find parking in the center E garage), and, most important of all, no radiation or molestation at the checkpoints.

Precheck is only at E14, not E15. It's comingled with the elite line as far as the TDC position. E15 has an elite line as well pre-TDC. AA elite/Precheck has always been fine to access the elite line at E14 or E15.

Just overall a much more hassle-free experience than any of the AA terminals. But the lack of pornoscan and grope is the strongest selling point.



You're not the only one. As I pointed out, as a status only Precheckee, no GE, no NEXUS, no nothin' (and in fact I don't even have status with DL anymore) I am 100% across two airlines if I throw out one really goofy reservation (BA PNR, BA-plated ticket Avios redemption).



Please direct me to this real evidence. I would like to see it.

I'm familiar with a site called FlyerTalk where a non-random sample is allowed to post their experiences. Anecdotes, I believe these experiential reports are called.

Cite please?

Why not just stay on FlyerTalk where I can get a ton of anecdotal commentary, including from people who think their anecdotes are somehow more statistically valid than my anecdotes?

ironcow13

Has anyone been denied Precheck twice in a row? I was denied my very first flight after getting pre, but never since then until this trip (DFW - MSP) on both legs. This was my first time flying AA since getting pre and the itinerary was booked through my company's travel company. I made sure to tell the company my known traveler number. Additionally, when I looked at my reservation on AA.com, it looks like the number was entered (there are asterisks for some of the digits so impossible to know if it was entered improperly, but my AA.com profile has the correct number).

It was a pain to go through normal security, and at both airports I walked a long way only to find I didn't get pre, so it was a pretty frustrating experience. Hoping to avoid such an experience again if I, or my travel company, did something wrong.

Herb687

This will obviously strike some on this thread as too "anecdotal" for their taste but I strongly suspect the problem is that it was a travel agency booking.

Booking through a travel agency instead of direct just adds that many more fields/data elements in the PNR and across different computer systems. Many more opportunities for something to mismatch.

Having seen the "guts" of heaps of PNRs there is just no comparison between simple PNRs created within one airline's own res system and the gigantic messes of extraneous data that are agency PNRs.

flyer703

Thank you smashr. I know this is a relatively old post but was glad to see this as I am considering switching from UA to AA since I will need to travel to DFW frequently for business in the coming months/year.

Has anyone else used the DCA North Pier PreCheck with GE in an AA boarding pass?

akarneboge

You're right. I guess your stories and tall tales are much more valid than mine and many others on this board. Plus, you're absolutely right that we have every reason to mislead and not tell the truth to you and everyone else who reads this forum with our "anecdotal commentary".

The facts remain, however, Herb, that myself, and many other FF's on this board had their pre-check rates skyrocket to at or close to 100% once they added GE to their status.

So, believe what you want, call me and many others liars with clever words masking the word "lie" as you did earlier upthread. Just don't come here looking for sympathy when all of a sudden your pre-check rates start to plummet out of nowhere.

Cheers.

derekchad

I cleared PreCheck at LAX flying to YYZ on Monday.

AATrout

I've done it plenty of times, before and after I was cleared for GE via NEXUS. It's an excellent option to the center. But on a few occasions the shuttle run gets slow when a/c are moving in and out of the gates.

If there's a really short queue in the center sometimes I just use the elite line if it's open and go thru regular screening. It's summer, so all the the piers will be be crowded today (Saturday) - I'm outbound on #1285 to DFW, and from the scan know I will clear Pre again, and will definitely use that option.

akarneboge

I wouldn't NOT use the north pier as long as I'm clear for Pre. Why would you go through regular security and deal with shoes off, coat off, 3-1-1 and laptop out, everything out of your pockets, and then go through the scanner and still get a pat down most of the time?

The shuttle has been a bit slow sometimes, but there have been other times when I've been the only passenger on it and it was simply waiting at the door for me.

fanger

So use the precheck at the US pier and ride the shuttle? No downside I presume except it might take longer if security is not busy at the center.

akarneboge

It might take longer airside to get to the admirals club or the gate, yes. But it won't take you longer to get through security, regardless of line length. It's precheck. Just don't let the TSA agent give you a hard time about what gate you're going to. Phone BP's work the best for this IME.

lovely15

I've tried a couple different decoders now and they all say they can't find a barcode on my boarding pass. What gives?

akarneboge

Are you using a phone to scan it? I use manatee works's "Scanner" on the iPhone for Barcodes (set it to PDF 417) or NeoReader for the "square style" mobile boarding passes. Qrafter and a number of other readers out there should be sufficient as well, and should be cross platform (iOS or Android).

lovely15

I use a BlackBerry, and so far I haven't found a barcode decoder for it - I use a computer.

AATrout

Try holding your iPhone if that's what you are using, about 6 inches away. Don't try to fill your screen with the barcode.

AATrout

Decent question,really. Pre in the N pier opens at 0600. Sometimes they don't really open until 0615. Depending on the day it can just be easier for an early departure to just clear the center. US and DL seem to have many more early AM east coast short-haul departures so their regular lines always seem to be longer.

Besides, since on return from some trips like ANC, EGE or GRR, where Pre is not an option, I have not ditched the habit of prepping for regular screening with stuffing wallet, watch, pens, pocket litter into one of those Tom Binh travel trays. And I rarely travel with a laptop any more, so pulling out the 3-1-1- bag and slipping off the shoes is no big deal.

But yes, except for very early, it's usually the right call to go to the North Pier, if you know you'll get LLL in advance.