Sky Priorty vs. PreCheck
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minneapolis MN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 488
Sky Priorty vs. PreCheck
Recently minted Gold Medallion, and had a trip MSP-BOS-MSP this weekend. Both airports had pretty hefty lines at TSA. On the outbound, decided to exit the PreCheck lane and head over to the Sky Priority line, which I believe saved me 10-15 minutes as PreCheck was backed up. While I had to take shoes off, etc. it was worth the speed benefit.
On the way back (in Boston), I wanted to do the same thing. The contract agent checking boarding passes told me 'you have PreCheck, they'll send you back to the PreCheck line' and wouldn't let me take the Sky Priority line (which was almost empty).
Was she right? Any thoughts on which line is better. Its a small thing to grumble about but I want to make sure I'm not in the wrong!
On the way back (in Boston), I wanted to do the same thing. The contract agent checking boarding passes told me 'you have PreCheck, they'll send you back to the PreCheck line' and wouldn't let me take the Sky Priority line (which was almost empty).
Was she right? Any thoughts on which line is better. Its a small thing to grumble about but I want to make sure I'm not in the wrong!
#2
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Recently minted Gold Medallion, and had a trip MSP-BOS-MSP this weekend. Both airports had pretty hefty lines at TSA. On the outbound, decided to exit the PreCheck lane and head over to the Sky Priority line, which I believe saved me 10-15 minutes as PreCheck was backed up. While I had to take shoes off, etc. it was worth the speed benefit.
On the way back (in Boston), I wanted to do the same thing. The contract agent checking boarding passes told me 'you have PreCheck, they'll send you back to the PreCheck line' and wouldn't let me take the Sky Priority line (which was almost empty).
Was she right? Any thoughts on which line is better. Its a small thing to grumble about but I want to make sure I'm not in the wrong!
On the way back (in Boston), I wanted to do the same thing. The contract agent checking boarding passes told me 'you have PreCheck, they'll send you back to the PreCheck line' and wouldn't let me take the Sky Priority line (which was almost empty).
Was she right? Any thoughts on which line is better. Its a small thing to grumble about but I want to make sure I'm not in the wrong!
they're also wrong here. If you have SkyPriority you can also use that line. Period.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,991
Recently minted Gold Medallion, and had a trip MSP-BOS-MSP this weekend. Both airports had pretty hefty lines at TSA. On the outbound, decided to exit the PreCheck lane and head over to the Sky Priority line, which I believe saved me 10-15 minutes as PreCheck was backed up. While I had to take shoes off, etc. it was worth the speed benefit.
On the way back (in Boston), I wanted to do the same thing. The contract agent checking boarding passes told me 'you have PreCheck, they'll send you back to the PreCheck line' and wouldn't let me take the Sky Priority line (which was almost empty).
Was she right? Any thoughts on which line is better. Its a small thing to grumble about but I want to make sure I'm not in the wrong!
On the way back (in Boston), I wanted to do the same thing. The contract agent checking boarding passes told me 'you have PreCheck, they'll send you back to the PreCheck line' and wouldn't let me take the Sky Priority line (which was almost empty).
Was she right? Any thoughts on which line is better. Its a small thing to grumble about but I want to make sure I'm not in the wrong!
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SPG LT Gold, DL PM 1MM
Posts: 692
Most non-precheck lines actually have the paper/plastic sheets that they hand you so you don't have to take off your shoes (you still need to take your laptop etc. out of your bag).
They're meant to be used when the precheck line is closed, but if you do end up there, it's worth asking and saving you the 2' and the "please stand on the yellow marks where 10,000 other pax just stood, with or without socks". Worst thing they may say they don't have the sheets or refuse to hand you one.
They're meant to be used when the precheck line is closed, but if you do end up there, it's worth asking and saving you the 2' and the "please stand on the yellow marks where 10,000 other pax just stood, with or without socks". Worst thing they may say they don't have the sheets or refuse to hand you one.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minneapolis MN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 488
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northern Minnesota, US
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG/MR Plat, Kimpton IC, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 659
Most non-precheck lines actually have the paper/plastic sheets that they hand you so you don't have to take off your shoes (you still need to take your laptop etc. out of your bag).
They're meant to be used when the precheck line is closed, but if you do end up there, it's worth asking and saving you the 2' and the "please stand on the yellow marks where 10,000 other pax just stood, with or without socks". Worst thing they may say they don't have the sheets or refuse to hand you one.
They're meant to be used when the precheck line is closed, but if you do end up there, it's worth asking and saving you the 2' and the "please stand on the yellow marks where 10,000 other pax just stood, with or without socks". Worst thing they may say they don't have the sheets or refuse to hand you one.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
#9
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: DL PM MM, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,097
An agent tried this one morning on me at DFW before I had CLEAR. She said I couldn't use the First Class line and had to use the 30 min long precheck line, even though I was in First Class. I told her she was wrong and given incorrect information, and as a First Class passenger I was entitled to the line. She let me through but said "TSA will turn you around immediately". She was completely wrong. TSA agents couldn't care less as long as they get an ID that matches a boarding pass - you're through.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dayton, OH/CVG
Programs: DA Diamond(1 MM), Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador/Charter Ambassador, Hyatt Glob, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 878
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It is theoretically DL's decision as to whether it will permit you access to its priority lane. If indeed the line minder is a DL employee or contractor (doesn't really matter), this is an issue for DL.
Two things of note:
1. Access to priority lines is controlled by the air carriers, whether directly or through a contractor or through the airport authority. TSA does not get involved until the podium.
2. While the Pre-Check lane may be physically longer, it is estimated that Pre-Check moves 6-7 passengers for every passenger moved through a standard lane. Be really sure that despite length, that Pre-Check is not faster. Lite at the standard priority lane doesn't really affect this because it only takes one non-Pre Check pax ahead to slow down the line.
Two things of note:
1. Access to priority lines is controlled by the air carriers, whether directly or through a contractor or through the airport authority. TSA does not get involved until the podium.
2. While the Pre-Check lane may be physically longer, it is estimated that Pre-Check moves 6-7 passengers for every passenger moved through a standard lane. Be really sure that despite length, that Pre-Check is not faster. Lite at the standard priority lane doesn't really affect this because it only takes one non-Pre Check pax ahead to slow down the line.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,883
#13
#14
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Do you have any citation for that number? It seems implausibly high to me. You could maybe get 6-7 times as many people through a WTMD as a nude-o-scan (although even that would be surprising to me), but taking your laptop and liquids out cannot possibly make the x-ray scanning process that much less efficient.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 26,954
Do you have any citation for that number? It seems implausibly high to me. You could maybe get 6-7 times as many people through a WTMD as a nude-o-scan (although even that would be surprising to me), but taking your laptop and liquids out cannot possibly make the x-ray scanning process that much less efficient.