# TSA Precheck-anyone signed up? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 26, 2013, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289 "2013-10-26T07:05:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/1 "2013-10-26T07:05:02Z")
Apparently in an attempt to promote the service, we were given Precheck status on a recent flight. At least, that’s what the TSA agent told us. Nice. Quick thru a special gate, no line, no shoe removal. Upon checking, we see it’s $85 for a 5 year “membership.” Other than the cost, any downside? I mean, if we were “randomly selected”, then they must have our information, right? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/2 "2013-10-26T07:27:20Z")
I’ve signed up. The biggest downside is that TSA really seems to be expanding the service so that it will soon get clogged up. The other downside is that the US has essentially created what a friend of mine calls “the US citizenship platinum program.” I do love it though, no taking your shoes off, not taking your laptop out, it’s pretty much what travel was like pre-9/11. I most appreciate it when I arrive back in the US, I just scan my passport and walk through passport control. When I only have carry on, I’m halfway home before I would have cleared customs and baggage claim before. ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/3 "2013-10-26T10:45:00Z")
My husband goes through that line but he didn’t have to sign up for it they just selected him because he is a million miler. So I’m guessing if you reach a certain airline status you get to go through. He said he really liked it. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/4 "2013-10-26T13:52:04Z")
signed up a couple of years ago. Fly over 100 times a year. well worth it to me, saves alot of time not taking off shoes,belt taking stuff out of pockets etc. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/5 "2013-10-26T14:05:14Z")
I had to fly last week. Both on my way down and my way back, I was told I had “preclearance” status, and I was directed to a special security line, where I didn’t have to take my shoes off, take my laptop out of its case, or take my wallet out of my pants. I LIKED it! I did not know this was part of a promotional scheme. I’m certainly not going to pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/6 "2013-10-26T14:47:57Z")
Wonder what’ll happen once someone who’s been precleared brings a shoe-bomb on-board. Will they scrap the program entirely? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/7 "2013-10-26T14:52:36Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Wonder what’ll happen once someone who’s been precleared brings a shoe-bomb on-board. Will they scrap the program entirely? Since, in the entire history of flying, there have been zero successful shoe-bombs and one unsuccessful shoe-bomb that we know about, this seems unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/8 "2013-10-26T16:50:16Z")
I signed up through CPB Global Entry. I fly about 2-4 times a month for work. No regrets. It’s fantastic. (Except JFK Terminal 2 refuses to setup a precheck line for some reason. But I discovered a trick whereby you can go in via Terminal 4 and take a little-known airside shuttle bus to T2.) ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/9 "2013-10-26T17:34:00Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Apparently in an attempt to promote the service, we were given Precheck status on a recent flight. At least, that’s what the TSA agent told us. Nice. Quick thru a special gate, no line, no shoe removal. Upon checking, we see it’s $85 for a 5 year “membership.” Other than the cost, any downside? I mean, if we were “randomly selected”, then they must have our information, right? Note that there is a $100 nonrefundable application processing fee, and subsequent interview requirement, for those who are not given precheck status automatically and must apply with the GOES program. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/10 "2013-10-26T17:37:34Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > I signed up through CPB Global Entry. I fly about 2-4 times a month for work. No regrets. It’s fantastic. Yep, I signed up with CBP as well. For those who are interested, GOES is a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) program. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/11 "2013-10-26T17:46:18Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > I had to fly last week. Both on my way down and my way back, I was told I had “preclearance” status, and I was directed to a special security line, where I didn’t have to take my shoes off, take my laptop out of its case, or take my wallet out of my pants. I LIKED it! > > I did not know this was part of a promotional scheme. I’m certainly not going to pay for it. I fly moderately frequently. The cost is worth it to me. ---
**Author:** ![JWT\_Kottekoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@JWT\_Kottekoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWT_Kottekoe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/12 "2013-10-26T17:52:00Z")
I got it at no cost and with no application earlier this week. It just showed up on my boarding pass. Apparently this is rolling out with multiple airlines. I was on United. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/13 "2013-10-26T20:30:19Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Since, in the entire history of flying, there have been zero successful shoe-bombs and one unsuccessful shoe-bomb that we know about, this seems unlikely. The cool thing about hypothetical questions is they don’t require a basis in reality. Come to think of it, reality seems to lack a basis in reality more and more these days. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/14 "2013-10-27T01:35:12Z")
That’s why I’m worried the pope is going to smuggle a sword on a flight and crash the plane into the Smithsonian. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/15 "2013-10-27T03:05:47Z")
I signed up for Nexus a couple years ago and our original plan for it was to avoid the border traffic when driving but it’s been amazing for our once or twice a year flights too. This summer I flew to Las Vegas and the airport was packed. Lines exploding out of their areas and into hallways. It took me 17 mins from curb to gate and that was because I had to wait in line to get a baggage tag. I would do many things to keep this. Many many things. Paying for it is not a problem at all. FYI, all Nexus participants have been given Precheck status for the duration of their Nexus agreement. I paid $50 for 5 years of Nexus. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/16 "2013-10-27T19:32:01Z")
> [@JWT\_Kottekoe](#): > > I got it at no cost and with no application earlier this week. It just showed up on my boarding pass. Apparently this is rolling out with multiple airlines. I was on United. Same thing happened to me this week, except on US Air. I’d never applied for it, never heard of it. I sure liked it, though. Not sure if I would pay to keep it. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/17 "2013-10-27T20:46:07Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > I signed up through CPB Global Entry. I fly about 2-4 times a month for work. No regrets. It’s fantastic. > > (Except JFK Terminal 2 refuses to setup a precheck line for some reason. But I discovered a trick whereby you can go in via Terminal 4 and take a little-known airside shuttle bus to T2.) Wise are you in the ways of the bus… I’ve done this too. Signed up for PreCheck a few years ago. Makes in and out of Canada a breeze. Love the perks stateside as well ! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/18 "2013-10-28T03:51:50Z")
One of the best things about the program is that the other people in line know are experienced travelers and know the drill. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/19 "2013-10-28T05:33:45Z")
Looks like Southwest is not on the list, which is a shame because I fly once a month (at least) for work or pleasure, and I’d pay the $85 for five years for this benefit. It’s only at the bigger airports though it looks like. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289/20 "2013-10-28T13:55:36Z")
Oh for those having it show up without an application - some airlines frequent flyers are being added through a deal the airline has made to share their FF information with Precheck. So if you’re a fairly high level member in your frequent flyer program that could be why you’re getting the benefit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-precheck-anyone-signed-up/672289.md?page=2)