TSA Pre-Check and Virgin America
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,286
TSA Pre-Check and Virgin America
Apologies if this has been mentioned; I didn't find it on a search.
In November 2012, VX's CEO said the airline is working to add support for TSA Pre-Check:
http://venturebeat.com/2012/11/16/vi...rbulent-skies/
As a member of Global Entry, I would certainly be enticed to fly VX more often (versus United) if I knew I could get Pre-Check. It's just so much better.
ETA: In reading other news articles about the subject, other airlines are mentioned as being in talks to add Pre-Check, but not VX. So perhaps Pre-Check isn't happening anytime soon for VX, after all. Anyone have updated information?
****
Update 6/3/13 -- Pre-Check is NOW OPERATIONAL.
In November 2012, VX's CEO said the airline is working to add support for TSA Pre-Check:
http://venturebeat.com/2012/11/16/vi...rbulent-skies/
Security
TSA hassles are the bane of business travelers who fly often enough to know what a joke our current “security” model is. The TSA has been moving toward a risk-based model that would allow frequent travelers to bypass many elements of the screening process. With recent changes to the TSA’s rules, Virgin is now eligible to participate in the TSA’s Pre Check program. Cush said the airline is working to modify its systems to enable its fliers to participate and hopes to have it available shortly after the holidays.
TSA hassles are the bane of business travelers who fly often enough to know what a joke our current “security” model is. The TSA has been moving toward a risk-based model that would allow frequent travelers to bypass many elements of the screening process. With recent changes to the TSA’s rules, Virgin is now eligible to participate in the TSA’s Pre Check program. Cush said the airline is working to modify its systems to enable its fliers to participate and hopes to have it available shortly after the holidays.
ETA: In reading other news articles about the subject, other airlines are mentioned as being in talks to add Pre-Check, but not VX. So perhaps Pre-Check isn't happening anytime soon for VX, after all. Anyone have updated information?
****
Update 6/3/13 -- Pre-Check is NOW OPERATIONAL.
Last edited by nnn; Jun 3, 2013 at 11:59 am Reason: Now operational
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: United MP, Virgin America Elevate, JetBlue TrueBlue
Posts: 35
TSA Pre-Check and Virgin America
Got an email today saying VX will participate in pre- check starting this summer. Eligible elevate members will receive personal email invitations to join.
#3
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Between EWR & PHL
Programs: UA MileagePlus dirt (former hard-way Silver); AS Mileage Plan MVP; Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 1,586
Was just at SFO T2 this weekend - PreCheck is essentially set up and ready to go - the WTMD-only lane is in place, as is the signage.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,286
#8
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 2
Up to this point, I've avoided Virgin America because of no TSA Precheck. I just fly Delta and it's pain free out of BWI. I called Virgin and got really frustrated because the representative said she had never even heard of TSA Pre-Check. This Monday, I will fly out of IAD to SFO (via Virgin). I'm going to see if the TSA agent will accept my Global Entry card and a paper Virgin boarding pass over the way-to-awesome Delta iPhone app, which beeps 3 times and lets me get through TSA in 2 minutes over 40.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 1,507
Why don't you just go to virginamerica.com and look up tsa in the FAQs? The second item on the list is pre check. It says they will have it by summer. I think I read somewhere they're specifically shooting for June.
VX does mobile BP's as well through their mobile website.
VX does mobile BP's as well through their mobile website.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,286
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,506
#12
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,762
It will absolutely not work. You have to be registered for it through your FF program and then the TSA decides whether you qualify or not. Either way it is encoded in your boarding pass. I have used precheck with AA and UA and I'd say 90% of the time I get the three beeps. VA is not participating yet, so there is absolutely no way to use precheck on a VA flight.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 2
My follow-up // VA + TSA = Fail
Long story short, presenting the card from CBT is useless. If the QR code associated with your boarding pass doesn't have the Trusted Traveler number encoded on it (giving 3 beeps), TSA doesn't care a single bit.
Didn't work at IAD.
Didn't work at SFO.
My plan is to not fly Virgin again until they can get it together. Back to Delta I go. I am looking forward to hearing my 3 beeps on Monday (for a Delta flight) and bypassing the whole mess.
Didn't work at IAD.
Didn't work at SFO.
My plan is to not fly Virgin again until they can get it together. Back to Delta I go. I am looking forward to hearing my 3 beeps on Monday (for a Delta flight) and bypassing the whole mess.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 1,507
You didn't have to through all of the trouble - we could have all told you that. The pre-check eligibility on each trip is tied to the airline vetting you through TSA on that record.
#15
Moderator, Delta Skymiles and Mileage Run
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: DL Diamond/MM, Hyatt Diamond, former AS MVPG 75K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,937
Long story short, presenting the card from CBT is useless. If the QR code associated with your boarding pass doesn't have the Trusted Traveler number encoded on it (giving 3 beeps), TSA doesn't care a single bit.
Didn't work at IAD.
Didn't work at SFO.
My plan is to not fly Virgin again until they can get it together. Back to Delta I go. I am looking forward to hearing my 3 beeps on Monday (for a Delta flight) and bypassing the whole mess.
Didn't work at IAD.
Didn't work at SFO.
My plan is to not fly Virgin again until they can get it together. Back to Delta I go. I am looking forward to hearing my 3 beeps on Monday (for a Delta flight) and bypassing the whole mess.