TSA Pre-Check and Virgin America
Nov 30, 2013, 5:03 pm
#106
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: Virgin America Elevate Gold
Posts: 220
Pre check is not until you get past the ID check. You will be directed to it after you get the 3 beeps
Edit: actually that's not correct any longer. They do have a pre check only line now. It is next to the priority line.
Edit: actually that's not correct any longer. They do have a pre check only line now. It is next to the priority line.
Last edited by SoCalZman; Dec 1, 2013 at 10:12 am
Dec 3, 2013, 6:25 pm
#108
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Sausalito CA
Programs: Virgin (2), Air France, United
Posts: 2
Pre Check at VX SFO
Just go way to the left of the main line. Separate entry, smooth and expedited. Very nice experience.
Dec 4, 2013, 7:39 pm
#109
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: DCA/MIA
Programs: AA CK; UA 1P
Posts: 40
The TSA website now lists the center pier as having precheck - specifically noting VX. No mention of DCA on the VX website though.
I usually fly IAD-SFO/LAX but will scope this out on Friday prior to my DCA-SFO flight.
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/airlines-airports#VA
I usually fly IAD-SFO/LAX but will scope this out on Friday prior to my DCA-SFO flight.
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/airlines-airports#VA
Both the south and the center pier are called Terminal B. They have yet to establish PreCheck at center pier, which is the one used by VX. To use PreCheck, you have to go up to the north pier. Once you have cleared PreCheck, you can take an airside shuttle, operated by US, to the center pier.
Dec 4, 2013, 7:50 pm
#110
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
The TSA website now lists the center pier as having precheck - specifically noting VX. No mention of DCA on the VX website though.
I usually fly IAD-SFO/LAX but will scope this out on Friday prior to my DCA-SFO flight.
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/airlines-airports#VA
I usually fly IAD-SFO/LAX but will scope this out on Friday prior to my DCA-SFO flight.
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/airlines-airports#VA
Dec 21, 2013, 6:00 pm
#111
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: Airplanes!
Posts: 160
TSA Pre-Check and Virgin America
I flew out of LAX this morning for a 7am flight. I went through security at 6am. The precheck line wasn't open yet but the agents processed me through the normal line but with precheck perks. It took longer than usual but it was nice to not have to be subject to the normal rules still. All of the agents were helpful.
Dec 26, 2013, 6:39 pm
#112
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
I flew out of LAX this morning for a 7am flight. I went through security at 6am. The precheck line wasn't open yet but the agents processed me through the normal line but with precheck perks. It took longer than usual but it was nice to not have to be subject to the normal rules still. All of the agents were helpful.
Dec 30, 2013, 10:05 pm
#113
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Nov 16, 2017, 2:48 pm
#114
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 29
PreCheck not on Boarding Pass
Bought ticket from Alaska on VX for tomorrow, SFO to PVR. When I made the reservation i provided my Known Traveler Number and confirmed it was in reservation recently. Upon check in today there was no Pre Check designation on my boarding pass. Agents for VX and AS say they can’t resolve issue, just try at the airport. Normally not the end of the world but tomorrow expected to be busy travel day of the year. Any ideas on best way to proceed?
Nov 16, 2017, 3:22 pm
#115
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Disc
Posts: 217
Bought ticket from Alaska on VX for tomorrow, SFO to PVR. When I made the reservation i provided my Known Traveler Number and confirmed it was in reservation recently. Upon check in today there was no Pre Check designation on my boarding pass. Agents for VX and AS say they can’t resolve issue, just try at the airport. Normally not the end of the world but tomorrow expected to be busy travel day of the year. Any ideas on best way to proceed?
1. Try again on the phone with VX (doubt AS will be able to do anything since it's not its reservation/boarding pass). I don't know why they would not be able to do whatever could be done by a VX employee at the airport.
2. If 1 fails, see what the manual check-in line looks like at the VX desk. Only if the wait looks meaningfully shorter than the difference between pre-check security and non would I bother trying to get help there. (Obviously helps if you have status or are flying F and can use that line.)
3. Bring your Global Entry (or whatever your KTN vehicle is) and see if the TSA agent will let you into the pre-check line despite the lack of designation on the boarding pass. I wouldn't get my hopes up though.
To end on a positive note, my wife and I flew SFO-JFK last Thursday and for the first time I've ever experienced at SFO, the pre-check line was backed all the way past the Starbucks at T2 -- and the priority check-in line was *significantly* shorter. We ended up using that line instead and definitely made it through quicker than the people who had been in the back of the pre-check line. It was my first non-pre-check security experience at SFO in at least 3-4 years and -- probably because it was the priority line -- the passengers moved through very efficiently. While it obviously still moves slower than the pre-check line, it was nice not to have the frustration of "randomly selected for pre-check Grandpa" holding up the line by unnecessarily taking off his belt and shoes and then walking through with his keys in his pocket.
Nov 16, 2017, 5:15 pm
#117
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Alaska MVP Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 29
I would try the following, in order:
1. Try again on the phone with VX (doubt AS will be able to do anything since it's not its reservation/boarding pass). I don't know why they would not be able to do whatever could be done by a VX employee at the airport.
2. If 1 fails, see what the manual check-in line looks like at the VX desk. Only if the wait looks meaningfully shorter than the difference between pre-check security and non would I bother trying to get help there. (Obviously helps if you have status or are flying F and can use that line.)
3. Bring your Global Entry (or whatever your KTN vehicle is) and see if the TSA agent will let you into the pre-check line despite the lack of designation on the boarding pass. I wouldn't get my hopes up though.
To end on a positive note, my wife and I flew SFO-JFK last Thursday and for the first time I've ever experienced at SFO, the pre-check line was backed all the way past the Starbucks at T2 -- and the priority check-in line was *significantly* shorter. We ended up using that line instead and definitely made it through quicker than the people who had been in the back of the pre-check line. It was my first non-pre-check security experience at SFO in at least 3-4 years and -- probably because it was the priority line -- the passengers moved through very efficiently. While it obviously still moves slower than the pre-check line, it was nice not to have the frustration of "randomly selected for pre-check Grandpa" holding up the line by unnecessarily taking off his belt and shoes and then walking through with his keys in his pocket.
1. Try again on the phone with VX (doubt AS will be able to do anything since it's not its reservation/boarding pass). I don't know why they would not be able to do whatever could be done by a VX employee at the airport.
2. If 1 fails, see what the manual check-in line looks like at the VX desk. Only if the wait looks meaningfully shorter than the difference between pre-check security and non would I bother trying to get help there. (Obviously helps if you have status or are flying F and can use that line.)
3. Bring your Global Entry (or whatever your KTN vehicle is) and see if the TSA agent will let you into the pre-check line despite the lack of designation on the boarding pass. I wouldn't get my hopes up though.
To end on a positive note, my wife and I flew SFO-JFK last Thursday and for the first time I've ever experienced at SFO, the pre-check line was backed all the way past the Starbucks at T2 -- and the priority check-in line was *significantly* shorter. We ended up using that line instead and definitely made it through quicker than the people who had been in the back of the pre-check line. It was my first non-pre-check security experience at SFO in at least 3-4 years and -- probably because it was the priority line -- the passengers moved through very efficiently. While it obviously still moves slower than the pre-check line, it was nice not to have the frustration of "randomly selected for pre-check Grandpa" holding up the line by unnecessarily taking off his belt and shoes and then walking through with his keys in his pocket.
Nov 17, 2017, 9:58 am
#118
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 10
Bought ticket from Alaska on VX for tomorrow, SFO to PVR. When I made the reservation i provided my Known Traveler Number and confirmed it was in reservation recently. Upon check in today there was no Pre Check designation on my boarding pass. Agents for VX and AS say they can’t resolve issue, just try at the airport. Normally not the end of the world but tomorrow expected to be busy travel day of the year. Any ideas on best way to proceed?
Nov 17, 2017, 1:57 pm
#119
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
This is what worked for us.
When I do online check in, look at boarding passes. I do not print them out if pre-check is not indicated. I go back and re-enter KTN to accounts and check in for flight again.
Usually works.
When I do online check in, look at boarding passes. I do not print them out if pre-check is not indicated. I go back and re-enter KTN to accounts and check in for flight again.
Usually works.