TSA Pre?
 

I've just had what can only be described as a good experience with TSA - my BP for a US domestic flight has the TSA PRECHK annotation and I whizzed straight past the queues and was through screening in 10 seconds. All very nice but does anyone out there how this gets decided - I'm not a US citizen and not eligible for Global Entry so don't seem to meet any of the criteria the TSA sets out in its FAQ for their Pre scheme. Is there a link with BAEC - US citizens who are members of selected FF programs can be eligible?? Just curious.....

As far I know the option for airlines to nominate someone to TSA PRE will go away soon. You can gain PRE either via applying to PRE itself ($80 fee afik and if ok'ed it is valid for 5 years) or via Global Entry ($100 fee and also 5 years).

I will have my Global Entry interview soon as legal resident here. I signed up for GE because of no interviewing location for TSA PRE in the SF Bay Area (only out in Stockton), while GE interview is at SFO.

Of course, it also bears noting that British Airways don't (yet) participate in the TSA Pre program. TSA Pre have only recently added their first foreign carrier, Air Canada.

TSA Pre✓™ fee is non-refundable $85.00. Process takes about three weeks from interview. It is available only to US citizens, US Nationals or US Legal Permanent Residents. Successful applicants receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) which they include in reservations. Their boarding passes are endorsed 'TSA Pre✓' and they are excused from taking off shoes, taking out laptops and/or liquids. Lines are shorter and quicker. For security, a registered Known Traveler may occasionally not have their BP endorsed and must use normal security lines.

N.B. Only 10 airlines participate in the program.

Unless you were one of the lucky few UK citizens who got access to Global Entry a few months back. They had a limited number of application codes for non-US citizens.

I've used it every time since - it's brilliant. Well worth the $100 if you regularly travel to the US. Only drawback is if you have checked luggage - you get through immigration so fast the wait for your bags is even longer.

Possibly it was due to your BAEC status, translated into OW status on the BP. PreCheck was originally offered to members of some airlines' FF programs, and those in Global Entry. It's a great program, though lately some of the lines for PreCheck are longer than for "normal" screening.

As noted certain travelers are being granted TSA Pre in addition to those in a trusted traveler program. This has been occurring for quite some time now.
See these threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...e-i-fly-f.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...B+%26quot%3Baa
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/like...g-tsa-precheck

Joining Global Entry, if you are eligible, will make it much more likely to get access to precheck lanes and be able to keep your shoes and jacket on and laptop packed away.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...B+%26quot%3Baa
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/faqs
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-tr...s/global-entry

As noted by Chucko in some airports and at some times the Precheck lane is no longer as fast as it used to be due to the additional people being granted access and in some cases the regular lines being diverted into the precheck lane. Overall though it has been an excellent program.

I randomly got TSA pre connecting through DFW once, I was in Y so it wasn't a cabin thing. I didn't even know I had it so was taking off all my clothes, preparing for cavities to be searched, emptying the contents of my bag and making sure to be completely humourless ( to comply with TSA guidelines) when the chap on the belt told me I didn't need to.

Air carriers don't "nominate" people to Pre-Check. It was simply a way to kick off the program for TSA, as a government agency, to ask carriers, as private entities, to share data with their customers' permission.

It will soon be discontinued.

Nonetheless, passengers are occasionally and randomly selected for pre-check.

No word yet, but I would be surprised if BA isn't the next non-US carrier to join (the EU privacy types willing !)

You can also get TSA Pre Check with the Nexus program. You get Global Entry with the Nexus program as well - for $50.

Little Fruitcake has TSA pre status, or at least so his BP has said on our last few flights in the US. No idea why.

However, Mrs F and I do not, so not much help really.

BTW, I quite like the fact that the Land of the Free do all their airport security via a unified, public sector, organisation.

I had the good fortune of being randomly selected for TSA pre-check on both legs of my SAN-DIA RT flight on UA this past weekend. I made it through security in approximately one minute both times and did not have to remove my shoes or belt. The regular security line at DIA on Sunday evening was about 20 minutes. I know this because the person I was traveling with did not get selected for pre-check.

Not sure why I was selected but I definitely liked it.

TSA Pre?
 

I get TSA Pre randomly by TSA on the day. I'm Global Entry but not a citizen of the US so I've never received it on my BP - just randomly in the lines. The airlines will nominate frequent flyers at times.

I agree that it's a great program, but under the current rules, you won't get it reliably unless you are a US Citizen.

Well whatever the cause is, its looking less likely to be random as I've been TSA Pre-ed again on the return leg - still not complaining!

I was also randomly selected recently, while transferring through LAX.