Would you give your fingerprints to the TSA in exchange for a faster experience at airport security?

There’s nothing worse than waiting in a long line at the airport. You’re already running late but your line isn’t moving. Out of the corner of your eye, you see an alternative shorter line moving much faster than your line. You also notice that those passengers don’t need to remove their shoes, laptops liquids, belts, or light jackets. Those passengers must know a secret. That secret is the TSA Precheck program. If you want to save time at the airport, TSA Precheck is the best way to do it.

In December 2017, 93% of TSA Precheck passengers waited in line for less than five minutes. There are more than 5 million members already taking advantage of the program and 200 airports and 42 airlines provide TSA Precheck.

How to Get TSA PreCheck

To join TSA Precheck, you need to submit an online application and schedule an appointment at any of the 380+ enrollment centers. An additional requirement is to attend a 10-minute in-person appointment that includes a background check and fingerprinting. The cost for a 5-year membership is $85 for TSA Precheck.
Here’s a pro tip: Many travel credit cards offer to cover this cost once every five years, check your credit card benefits if they offer it use to pay for the TSA PreCeheck application.

Why the TSA Needs Your Fingerprints

In June of 2017, the Transportation Security Administration announced that it was testing technology to identify passengers by their fingerprints. The FBI also inspects your fingerprints to make certain they match the same person and identity, but the FBI does not retain your fingerprints. Ultimately, using fingerprints in the airline boarding of passengers might make the process faster. The fingerprinting is now done by a fingerprint scanning machine instead of the old-fashioned way with ink and paper.

If you decide that fingerprinting is worth it, you will want to enroll in the TSA Precheck program.

When you enroll in the TSA Precheck program, you join a group of smarter travelers who save time during the security screening process. Visit TSA.gov to enroll so the next time you travel you have peace of mind knowing you’re on the list with a TSA Precheck boarding pass in hand. Expedited screening and TSA Precheck lanes will absolutely save you valuable time.

Travel With TSA Accepted Travel Gear

Another way to speed up your journey through TSA baggage check is to use the right kind of travel accessories. There are TSA accepted items that will help you save time no matter what line you’re in at the airport.

The Triple Security TSA Lockdown Luggage Lock, pictured below, allows the TSA to access your bag and helps to keep thieves out.

The Search Alert TSA Luggage Lock, pictured below, is a luggage lock that the TSA Airport Security won’t cut off. If you don’t use TSA-accepted luggage locks, you must leave your checked luggage unlocked so that TSA agents can open it if selected for inspection. The Search Alert re-settable combination luggage locks have a security feature that allows TSA security agents, using a secured access device, to open Search Alert TSA luggage locks without destroying the locks. Learn More here.

The TSA Flexible Cable Luggage Lock, pictured below, has an easy-to-use flexible cable shank. This luggage lock is TSA accepted and they won’t cut it off. It’s also easier to attach to zipper pulls with a flexible steel cable. Learn more here.

The TSA Combo Lock with 48″ Steel Cable, pictured below, is recognized by the TSA and features a special identification mark that alerts TSA personnel that they may open this lock with a proprietary TSA passkey that doesn’t damage the lock. Learn more here.

The Search Alert Heavy Duty Longer Shackle Case Lock, pictured below, is for use on equipment cases. The Search Alert feature lets you know when your equipment was opened and inspected at the airport by the TSA. Learn more here.

The Strapsafe 100 TSA Luggage Strap by Pacsafe, featured below, is the only security luggage strap that combines the patented “Baggage Constrictor TM” technology and TSA compliance. The strap cannot be loosened once locked, unlike other luggage straps, and the TSA can open it without damaging it. Learn more here.

There are also additional items that will come in handy for the TSA airport screening such as the TSA Airport Friendly Belt. It is 100% metal free belt that is TSA accepted and will not set off the metal detector so you don’t have to remove it when going through any screening line. Leather belts with no metal and other styles will help you sail smoothly through the TSA PreCheck lines.

What are the Trusted Traveler Programs?

Decide which trusted traveler program is best to get you through the security line faster. Is it the TSA PreCheck or the Global Entry program operated by the Department of Homeland Services (DHS)? Both are designed to get pre-approved travelers faster and more efficiently through airport security. Each program has a different travel security focus depending on where you tend to travel to the most. TSA PreCheck is ideal for domestic travel and Global Entry is ideal for international and domestic travel.

How long does membership in any of the Trusted Traveler Programs last?

The two most commonly joined trusted traveler programs are TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are good for five (5) years. Assuming you fly two round-trip flights per year. That equals 20 times you’re going to stand in line, 20 times remove your shoes, jacket, and certain carry-on bag contents, and 20 times you’ll queue in long security lines. Is your time, and the inconvenience factor worth it?

Do the Trusted Traveler Programs have fees associated with them?

All of the programs managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have fees. We think the fees associated with the programs are reasonable. They really offer value if you travel even a moderate amount or are impatient with standing in long lines which results in partial disrobing and emptying your carry-on luggage. The one-time fee covers 5 years of hassle-reduced flying. The chart below shows the program costs with a cost of as little as $50 for 5 years.

Overall the best program is Global Entry

Global Entry is the best-trusted traveler program if you have a passport. Global Entry includes all the advantages of the TSA PreCheck plan plus it allows you access to an express line through customs and immigration on your way back home from international airports and destinations. Global Entry costs just $15 more than TSA PreCheck for 5 years, that’s $3 more per year.

See if you qualify for any of these time-saving programs to make your trip through airport security easier and stress-free.

Trusted Traveler Programs Explained

TSA PreCheck – applies only to air travel within the U.S. This is the most popular of the expedited airport security screening programs. Run by the TSA you get access to shorter security lines and the screening process is also more pleasant as you do not need to remove your shoes, or laptop among other items. You can use this program everywhere the TSA operates PreCheck lanes. You need to be a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

According to the TSA, the national average wait time for Precheck lines is 10 minutes compared to 30 minutes for standard lanes.

TSA PreCheck is available at over 200 US airports and the cost is $85 for a five-year membership.

TSA PreCheck Benefits Include Not Having to Practically Unpack or Disrobe to Get Through Security, So You Go Through Easier and Faster

Global Entry – is best for frequent international travelers even if it’s just once a year or once every two years that you travel internationally. Here’s why, it includes TSA Precheck and since it only costs $15 more for the five-year membership, or $3.00 per year more, it may be the better investment between TSA Precheck and Global Entry. You must have a passport to apply for this program.

This program is run by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This is the benefit of the program. You get to skip the long customs line which can have wait times of up to 45 minutes to get through, instead, you use a self-serve kiosk. The kiosk scans your passport, takes your photo, and asks a few questions. The result is a printout you hand out to an official so you can go on to collect your luggage.

Nexus – is limited to those whose international travel is mainly between the U.S. and Canada and includes TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. You can only use this trusted traveler program for travel between the US and Canada.

Sentri – is a program for travelers who regularly cross the U.S. and Mexico border by vehicle. The participant gets an RFID chipped card that brings up all your personal information quickly on the border patrol’s computer.

An interesting side note is that sometimes your boarding pass will be flagged with TSA PreCheck even if you’re not enrolled in the program and will allow you to go through the PreCheck line and not have to remove your shoes or jacket. The TSA randomly selects passengers for expedited screening based on the information they can read from the frequent flyer profile you established with the airline you’re traveling on. Bonus tip: So the tip here is always sign-up for the frequent flyer program of the airline you’re traveling with as it might get you through the TSA screening process quicker on your next trip.

For more information, visit the website of the Department of Homeland Security (or click HERE).

How do I apply for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

Applying for TSA PreCheck
1. Fill out an online application form (about 5 minutes)
2. Schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center. There are over 380 centers where you can go for your interview.
3. Go to the in-person interview and get fingerprinted.

Once approved you’ll get a Known Traveler Number (KTN). When you book a flight you must add your KTN to your reservation to get the Precheck symbol on your boarding pass. It’s this symbol on your boarding pass that lets you use the Pre Check lane at the airport.

Applying for Global Entry

1. Fill out an application online, the first step in this process is setting up your Trusted Traveler Program account.
2. Set up an in-person appointment for a background check and fingerprinting. You’ll have to bring a valid passport,\ and another form of ID like a driver’s license. If you’re a lawful permanent resident you’ll have to bring your permanent resident card.

One final thought on these programs. Both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are administered by government agencies. The agencies are well respected but you are providing them your personal data including fingerprints and a photo of your face. You have to weigh the trade-off of convenience at airports versus a bit of anonymity.

Tag Archives: security screening