Lots of newbies being sent through TSA Pre Check
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 34
Lots of newbies being sent through TSA Pre Check
It appears at least several of the airlines, including AA and VX, have been sending a whole lot of people through TSA Pre Check that have never been through it before, and most of which don't seem to be expecting to be it in that line.
Does anyone know what's going on? I asked the TSA agents at SFO T2 and they said it's been going on for about 2 weeks.
It's very frustrating as a FF to be stuck behind these people. I'm beginning to think that the regular priority line might be better.
Thoughts?
Does anyone know what's going on? I asked the TSA agents at SFO T2 and they said it's been going on for about 2 weeks.
It's very frustrating as a FF to be stuck behind these people. I'm beginning to think that the regular priority line might be better.
Thoughts?
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Gold, DL Silver, Starwood Gold, Marriott Silver, HH Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 135
Airlines sending lots of newbies through TSA Pre Check
I think these airlines or at least Virgin America are trying to showcase this feature maybe to get people to pay for it when it's offered soon. Either that or they're using it to expedite lines but doesn't that defeat the purpose of it??
I had the same thing happen to me at LAX where they finally added PreCheck for VX. I had to tell the lady in front of me that she didn't need to take off her shoes. Interestingly enough, I was denied entry to the PreCheck line at ORD where both AA and VX supposedly "share" this feature.
I had the same thing happen to me at LAX where they finally added PreCheck for VX. I had to tell the lady in front of me that she didn't need to take off her shoes. Interestingly enough, I was denied entry to the PreCheck line at ORD where both AA and VX supposedly "share" this feature.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA | VS | UA | DL
Posts: 270
I had this at MIA on AA in July this year. Went through regular and was told to go into the pre-check line. Whilst in the que I read the sign and watched people ahead of me to get the idea. The girl in-front of me wasn't so observant so started unpacking and taking her shoes / belt off. Before she got too far I told her that I think she can just go through...
Live and learn, I guess.
But then next time, when she goes through regular, will she try to walk through with shoes and belt on and hold that que up?
It has the potential to confuse people.
Live and learn, I guess.
But then next time, when she goes through regular, will she try to walk through with shoes and belt on and hold that que up?
It has the potential to confuse people.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 53
Airlines sending lots of newbies through TSA Pre Check
Article in UA flight mag explains what is going on. Random people are selected for expedited pre-check, but not all the time.
The test is in rollout.
If this works, everybody will get through faster.
The test is in rollout.
If this works, everybody will get through faster.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,888
Airlines sending lots of newbies through TSA Pre Check
It's not the airlines. It's the TSA. They are the ones who approve who gets selected and who doesn't. The only thing the airlines do is provide the info. through The secure flight info that has to be sent anyway. And when it started, of course, inviting their more frequent flyers.
I'm sure the airlines were made aware of the plans. But they have nothing to do with who gets it and who doesn't.
I'm sure the airlines were made aware of the plans. But they have nothing to do with who gets it and who doesn't.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 196
Airlines sending lots of newbies through TSA Pre Check
Had it happen at LIH two weeks ago. My daughter and I were selected to go through precheck but my wife was not so we all had to go through the main line as we were all on the same itinerary. Was not bad, I figured it was random. I have status, my wife and daughter do not.
Seemed random but yet almost half the people at security were going through precheck.
Seemed random but yet almost half the people at security were going through precheck.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 283
You should see Austin airport where every line turns into TSA pre-check on occasion (they are testing wider use). They must have 8 agents standing at the front, a bomb dog running up and down the aisle, and some electronic mat that everyone has to stand on for 2 seconds before proceeding through.
#13
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
As this is clearly a travel security topic, please follow the thread as it moves to the appropriate security forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
You should see Austin airport where every line turns into TSA pre-check on occasion (they are testing wider use). They must have 8 agents standing at the front, a bomb dog running up and down the aisle, and some electronic mat that everyone has to stand on for 2 seconds before proceeding through.
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,681
TSA preferred to let individual TSOs eyeball hot chicks to be 'randomly' selected for the NoS. In EWR, TSOs 'randomly' chose darker-skinned guys, particularly ones who 'looked' Hispanic (might be illegal) or wore 'gangsta -style' clothing (might be carrying dope).