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NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 09:52 AM Nov 2013

OMG TSA PreCheck rocks!!!

Or, rather, regular security sucks.

I just got ushered out of a long line into a non-line and sent through with shoes on, no body scan, laptop in bag, jacket and belt on and nonmetal stuff in my pockets.

We'll worth the interview process.

47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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OMG TSA PreCheck rocks!!! (Original Post) NYC_SKP Nov 2013 OP
Did you yell praise Allah after that The Straight Story Nov 2013 #1
One does not keep one's Global Entry status for very long that way. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #2
How does it work? nt Doremus Nov 2013 #3
Online application is followed by in person interview and background check. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #4
$100 fee lets me out. :( Shoulda known. nt Doremus Nov 2013 #8
Once again, those who can afford it get to bypass the nonsense the rest of us have to deal with. cleanhippie Nov 2013 #10
Vast majority of people don't travel all the time... snooper2 Nov 2013 #12
Regardless, it's still elitism and fuck-those-that-cant-afford-it BS. cleanhippie Nov 2013 #13
I would suspect that since this would target business travelers tammywammy Nov 2013 #21
My employer has already pronounced that a non-reimbursable expense. MindPilot Nov 2013 #23
I think it would depend on the employer. tammywammy Nov 2013 #29
When you are on a plane at least once a month, if not more often Aerows Nov 2013 #45
So is first class. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #46
$100 each flight or lifetime fee? nt ecstatic Nov 2013 #30
$100 for 5 years. tammywammy Nov 2013 #38
Expires in 2019, paid online, and I think that's for the full suite of coverage, not just PreCheck. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #44
Word is, if you have bad credit you won't pass. They do a credit check along with kestrel91316 Nov 2013 #41
You mean with an extensive background check and the proper monetary offering MindPilot Nov 2013 #5
Getting on top of the mastodon was the hard part . . . . hatrack Nov 2013 #7
So now we can radicalize you and get you to carry a bag for us through the line??? NightWatcher Nov 2013 #6
I was thinking the same thing ecstatic Nov 2013 #28
who did the background, that same contractor that did bang up jobs on Snowden, Navy shooter, ....? NightWatcher Nov 2013 #31
omg. Good point nt ecstatic Nov 2013 #33
Now I'll go did up dirt on the guy with the prescreen pass (that USIS didnt find) NightWatcher Nov 2013 #34
I think your first scenario is plausible... ecstatic Nov 2013 #42
That's a pretty good loophole for the drug and cash couriers... hunter Nov 2013 #9
I got to use it yesterday. It was *awesome*. MadrasT Nov 2013 #11
I thought about that program, but decided it was overkill for my MineralMan Nov 2013 #14
Every terrorist will sign up! n/t backscatter712 Nov 2013 #15
I have been preliminarily approved and have my interview on Thursday. cbayer Nov 2013 #16
Approval took two days. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #18
Good news. cbayer Nov 2013 #20
How did they know to 'usher' you out of the long line Matariki Nov 2013 #17
Agent was asking group for first class flyers, I raised hand and asked "PreCheck?"... NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #19
No interview...no application...totally free..been using this since it was Beta.. HipChick Nov 2013 #22
PreCheck only, or GOES, too? NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #24
Can brown people apply ? obnoxiousdrunk Nov 2013 #25
American Express will cover its members' GOES $100 app fee mainer Nov 2013 #26
How much is the GOES card? flamingdem Nov 2013 #37
$100 for 5 years cbayer Nov 2013 #43
The plane doesn't leave any earlier. You wait ate the gate instead of at the scanner. upaloopa Nov 2013 #27
Yeah, but if you're flying 1st, you can get in a couple of pre-flight drinks. Link Speed Nov 2013 #32
Yes first class is the only way to enjoy a flight upaloopa Nov 2013 #35
That's an unfortunate truth Link Speed Nov 2013 #39
Personally I like being felt up every time I travel flamingdem Nov 2013 #36
I Started That Process RobinA Nov 2013 #40
I feel ya. NYC_SKP Nov 2013 #47
 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
2. One does not keep one's Global Entry status for very long that way.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 09:58 AM
Nov 2013

Funny thing-- flight delayed due to TSA security delays.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
4. Online application is followed by in person interview and background check.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 10:05 AM
Nov 2013

Plus a $100 fee, I think, then you can waltz through security faster than first class.

International travel is similarly simplified!

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)
10. Once again, those who can afford it get to bypass the nonsense the rest of us have to deal with.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 11:37 AM
Nov 2013

Like the rich folks paying disabled people to give them head-of-the-line privileges at Disney, this smacks of elitism.

How about all travelers (or at least frequen ones) get the pre-check interview once, then get to bypass security, for free?

Glad you had a good experience. Too bad for all those suckers standing in line...

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)
13. Regardless, it's still elitism and fuck-those-that-cant-afford-it BS.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 01:11 PM
Nov 2013

Creating a system that is more theater than security which impedes traffic, irritates travelers, and does little to stop "terrorism" that rich people can buy their way out of is bullshit.

tammywammy

(26,582 posts)
21. I would suspect that since this would target business travelers
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 02:09 PM
Nov 2013

Companies will pay the fee.

 

MindPilot

(12,693 posts)
23. My employer has already pronounced that a non-reimbursable expense.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 03:35 PM
Nov 2013

Kind of weird since they have already foot the bill for most of us to get clearances.

tammywammy

(26,582 posts)
29. I think it would depend on the employer.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:21 PM
Nov 2013

In your case, I would assume the Pre-Check isn't something your employer can get reimbursed from the government on, and the employer doesn't want to cover it either.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
45. When you are on a plane at least once a month, if not more often
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 08:05 PM
Nov 2013

that kind of thing is helpful. Fortunately, I am not anymore, but I used to be.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
46. So is first class.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 08:35 PM
Nov 2013

Where they give you glass and metal knives and free drinks, just for money.

Please also be upset about that.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
44. Expires in 2019, paid online, and I think that's for the full suite of coverage, not just PreCheck.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 07:37 PM
Nov 2013

I went for Global Entry, the ID card, a bunch of stuff that I think goes beyond just PreCheck.

Must be good for five or six years, expires on my birthday but I got it a couple months after my 2013 birthday.

 

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)
41. Word is, if you have bad credit you won't pass. They do a credit check along with
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 05:04 PM
Nov 2013

everything else.

 

MindPilot

(12,693 posts)
5. You mean with an extensive background check and the proper monetary offering
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 10:10 AM
Nov 2013

You are now one of the untouchable elite?

I have heard tales--wild stories about the before time--all American subjects were allowed to travel unmonitored. What a dark and dangerous time that must've been.

hatrack

(65,128 posts)
7. Getting on top of the mastodon was the hard part . . . .
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 10:11 AM
Nov 2013

Once you had a good grip on its coat, the ride was quite pleasant.

NightWatcher

(39,382 posts)
6. So now we can radicalize you and get you to carry a bag for us through the line???
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 10:11 AM
Nov 2013

And they wouldn't even really check you out?

How's that secure?

The tsa is not about real security, it's about perceptions.

ecstatic

(35,133 posts)
28. I was thinking the same thing
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:21 PM
Nov 2013

I'm guessing the TSA realizes the risks and the background check is SUPER thorough and discriminatory against certain races and religions.

NightWatcher

(39,382 posts)
31. who did the background, that same contractor that did bang up jobs on Snowden, Navy shooter, ....?
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:27 PM
Nov 2013

If USIS did the check, odds are nobody did the check, and now here's a guy who isn't going to be screened and would make a perfect bomb mule.

NightWatcher

(39,382 posts)
34. Now I'll go did up dirt on the guy with the prescreen pass (that USIS didnt find)
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:40 PM
Nov 2013

and use it to blackmail the guy with the prescreen pass to get him to carry whatever said package I want onto a plane.

This is why background checks are important. It's not only about keeping people with skeletons in their closet out of secured positions, but it's about making sure that those in secure positions cannot be blackmailed by the skeletons that they were trying to hide....that the background check missed.

ecstatic

(35,133 posts)
42. I think your first scenario is plausible...
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 05:09 PM
Nov 2013

Where someone goes crazy or becomes radicalized after being approved for PreCheck...

But I just can't imagine someone being *blackmailed* into bringing down an airliner. At that point, it's so much easier to flee the country or just confess to whatever the blackmailer knows. Even if a blackmailer threatens to kill the family, there's still no guarantee that the blackmailer won't kill them anyway after the person being blackmailed is killed or captured.

hunter

(40,851 posts)
9. That's a pretty good loophole for the drug and cash couriers...
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 11:29 AM
Nov 2013

I wonder how much they pay someone who can pass the background check?

Or is this one of those perks given only to corrupt insiders using ordinary people like yourself as cover to "explain" to the rest of us why some people can pass security without fuss?

MadrasT

(7,237 posts)
11. I got to use it yesterday. It was *awesome*.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 11:53 AM
Nov 2013

There was an hour long "regular" line. I got to use TSA precheck and there was NO ONE in the line at all.

I got to opt in when it was a pilot program due to being a very frequent flyer at the time - the airline invited me to participate. Didn't have to interview or do anything special at all.

I fucking love it. I was virtually skipping through the airport after that.

MineralMan

(151,532 posts)
14. I thought about that program, but decided it was overkill for my
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 01:41 PM
Nov 2013

couple of flights each year. I'm strictly a carry-on guy, and I've learned how to make my trip through security as painless as possible. The lines can be an issue, at times, but I've found screening areas in most terminals that are less well-known, and use them rather than the ones being used by most travelers. A little more walking, but

I really fly between only two airports, MSP and LAX, and both are quite efficient. Their TSA workers are all professional and the ones at MSP are even friendly. It's just not an issue for me.

I fly on Sun Country airlines exclusively now. It's in the smaller Terminal 2 at MSP and in Terminal 2 in LAX, as well. At MSP, there's a second security screening area at the very end of the terminal. It's small, and most people don't even know it's there. You just walk down, go up a flight of stairs and walk right through. There's a similar one at LAX in Terminal 2, also. It's quite a way from the check-in kiosks, but I always have my boarding pass from home, so it's not an issue, since I don't check a bag. Going back, it's the same thing. I just go in the door nearest the screening area.

Most people see the nearest security screening location and just get in line. If the line's long, ask one of the nice TSA folks if there's another screening area in the terminal. They'll point it out to you, and you'll see that very few people are using it, so there you go. You'll walk a bit farther to your gate, but...you won't be standing in the long line, watching people fumble through their stuff.

I stopped carrying a notebook computer long ago, and just have my little Kindle Fire tablet. That's already in my carry-on. Everything else on my person, including my belt goes in one of the pockets in my travel jacket, which I chose for its numerous large pockets that have button flaps. It's actually a Czech Army dress uniform coat that I bought brand new at a surplus store for $10. It's a great travel garment.

When I get to the belt, I slip out of my shoes, put the carry-on on the belt, put my jacket and shoes in a bin, and I'm done. I walk through the metal detector or the scanner, and then pick up my stuff off the belt, sit down on one of the handy chairs, put my shoes on, put my belt and other crap on or in my pockets, put my jacket on and roll my carry-on to the gate. It's a simple routine. The whole thing just takes a few minutes, and I'm done.

Oh, yeah, I arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, too, so I usually have a bite to eat at one of the handy places near my gate. I'm in no hurry.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
16. I have been preliminarily approved and have my interview on Thursday.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 01:46 PM
Nov 2013

As the wait at the Tijuana border can be up to 3 hours (or even more), it is well worth the fee and time to get the approval.

They will also be inspecting my car so that I can drive through the border without any hassle.

It's not elitist at all, imo. The background check is extensive and if your time is worth more than about $1/hour and you have to cross borders frequently, it pays for itself very quickly.

It's totally optional and every individual has to make the decision as to whether it is worth the cost to them.

How soon after the interview did you get the authorization?

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
18. Approval took two days.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 01:54 PM
Nov 2013

Interviewed on Saturday, approved on Monday, card came on Friday.

Quick!

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
20. Good news.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 02:07 PM
Nov 2013

In addition to needing to cross the border in my car, I will be taking more international flights over the next couple of years.

My understanding is that when entering the country, you can use a kiosk to do almost everything that needs to be done. This is also going to be extremely efficient and time saving.

Very glad to hear that it is working out for you.

Matariki

(18,775 posts)
17. How did they know to 'usher' you out of the long line
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 01:46 PM
Nov 2013

Do you get a tattoo during the interview?

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
19. Agent was asking group for first class flyers, I raised hand and asked "PreCheck?"...
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 01:56 PM
Nov 2013

And she hailed me over.

HipChick

(25,615 posts)
22. No interview...no application...totally free..been using this since it was Beta..
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 02:11 PM
Nov 2013

I just stay in the top tier of my airline FF program...I just look at the plebs that still have to go through the body scanner, take out the laptops, take off the jackets and belt and ...

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
24. PreCheck only, or GOES, too?
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 03:56 PM
Nov 2013

This process is for Global Entry, which includes PreCheck.

Comes with a fancy card and everything!

mainer

(12,579 posts)
26. American Express will cover its members' GOES $100 app fee
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:16 PM
Nov 2013

I got the GOES card because I make multiple international trips for business. Makes coming back into the country so easy, using just the kiosk and no waiting in line for the immigration agent. However, even GOES approved flyers will sometimes randomly be sent through regular screening, just to give the system some semblance of security.

As for domestic pre-check, yeah it's great.

upaloopa

(11,417 posts)
27. The plane doesn't leave any earlier. You wait ate the gate instead of at the scanner.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:19 PM
Nov 2013

I mean what's with paying to get on board first? You get to cram a storage bin with all your stuff before anyone else gets a chance to put theirs in?
Flying sucks I think. I flew a 767 from Atlanta to LAX and it was hell. I could not recline the seat. I was forced to watch travel commercials on the screen in front of my face and the seat was so small with no let room.
I'd rather stay home or drive or take a train.

 

Link Speed

(650 posts)
32. Yeah, but if you're flying 1st, you can get in a couple of pre-flight drinks.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:30 PM
Nov 2013

I love that part.

 

Link Speed

(650 posts)
39. That's an unfortunate truth
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:52 PM
Nov 2013

GF and I are so fortunate. Two-seat rows (so we don't have to share a row with someone who should be required to purchase two tickets) and no kids.

Most of our flights are coast-to-coast and my knees and hips barely survive Coach flights.

RobinA

(10,478 posts)
40. I Started That Process
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 04:53 PM
Nov 2013

but they wanted my fingerprints. My aim in life at this point is to die an old lady without ever giving government my fingerprints, my blood, or my DNA.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
47. I feel ya.
Tue Nov 5, 2013, 08:37 PM
Nov 2013

I'm keeping my DNA.

They have my prints already from other clearance procedures.


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