Empty pockets at PreCheck line?
 

Is there a new rule that we need to empty our pockets at the PreCheck line?

Last week I went through security at JFK T8 (AA terminal). I took nearly everything out of my pockets, but left my passport there. The TSA agent asked me what was in my pocket, I told her my passport. After I went through the metal detector, she insisted on looking at it, and flipped through it. Never had that happen before.

I was under the impression that we could still have paper items, or nearly anything that wouldn't set off the metal detector, in our pockets.
Has that changed?

I've heard the no pocket thing before, but I usually hold my passport + BP (or more often, nexus + bp) in my hand and never have a problem.

It happens. Last year I was subjected to a post-WTMD patdown in PreCheck for a pocket square. Walked through the MD without alarming, but the TSO guarding the MD decided that the chest pocket in my sport coat was "too bulky," despite the clear evidence of the pocket square protruding from the pocket.

The TSO requested another TSO to pat me down. The 2nd TSO snickered at the first, pointing out that it was just a pocket square, but did the patdown anyway.

Until that time I had no idea there was a maximum amount of silk allowed through the checkpoint. ;)

Precheck is just like before the LAG rule, shoes/belt off, computer out days. Pockets are still supposed to be empty or near empty. Security can still randomly picked people for further checks.

Everything but the lint. :)

So why not empty pockets voluntarily? I always do, and have had zero problems in the precheck line.

I have, at most, three items in my pockets when approaching the scanner: wallet (with an office key hidden inside), cell phone, and car keys. They all go in the front pocket of my carry-on when it put it up on the conveyor belt. Easy peasy.

Many people are concerned about the potential for theft at TSA checkpoints, whether by TSA employees or others.

In the past, the rules for WTMD were to empty pockets of metal - keys, coins, cellphones, etc.

There was no need to remove lint, hankies, passport, BP. They would not alarm and they are not a threat to aviation security.

The <whole body scanner> can't distinguish between sweat, lint, and explosives, so everything must be removed from pockets. Obviously, since the NoS regularly alarms on bare skin.

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I didn't think we had to for a metal detector.
I've had things like boarding passes, business cards, receipts, maybe even loose cash, etc. in my pockets before and never had any issues.

I fly all the time and rarely ever am told to empty my pockets in the PRE line with a WTMD. I always have my wallet, change, chapstick, and a mini bottle of hand sanitizer in my pocket, as well as various scraps of paper. Never an issue.

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(Actually, some screeners prefer that even Pre pax empty their pockets of hankies and lint, after wiping off any sweat, so they'll be ready if they alarm/are randomed and get sent to the NoS. Same reason some insist on belt removal in the Pre lane

Other screeners have returned to the more efficient practice of giving the pax a second shot at the WTMD if the pax/TSO know what's likely caused the alarm).

I put my pocket items in my brief case, including my keys, and any travel documents.

Why have an issue

Usually, when I go through, I put my cell phone, wallet, and keys into my carry on, and stuff my Nexus card into my pocket. Never had any problems doing this.

I've wondered if the RFID chip in the NEXUS card would set off the WTMD, and was too chicken to test it to find out (didn't want to be inconvenienced if it did set it off). Sounds like it's not a problem--thanks for the report!