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TSA Pre is pretty spotty from what I remember. You still have to do 90% of what the basic line does, and if the scanner beeps at you for some reason, it's basi

TSA Pre is pretty spotty from what I remember. You still have to do 90% of what the basic line does, and if the scanner beeps at you for some reason, it's basically an on-the-spot downgrade to the normal line.

wenc 3y ago
I travel a fair bit and have TSA Precheck. It’s very far from spotty. It’s not so much about what you do in line as it is about the line — it’s way way shorter than the normal line. I get through TSA Precheck lines in under 10 minutes whereas a normal line can take an hour when it’s busy. Plus Precheck lines have a higher proportion of business travelers who know what they’re doing and know the dance to get through the line quickly (3-1-1, pockets emptied to tray, no water). Infrequent travelers are usually the biggest causes of a slow line because they’re unfamiliar with the routine. Precheck lines also don’t require you to take off shoes or take laptops out of bag. Even if you are flagged for secondary, you just have to step through the full body scanner. It literally takes 3 mins. I get TSA Precheck as part of the Nexus program and I definitely see its value.
- ghaff 3y ago
  As I wrote, TSA-Precheck is a pretty big win if you travel almost any amount at all. I'm usually through in 5-10 minutes though I don't count of it Global Entry is more variable but it costs very little more if you travel internationally. I'll generally worry less about loyalty programs beyond a bare minimum going forward as I travel less. But Pre-check/GE seem like a win for even semi-regular travelers.
- CatWChainsaw 3y ago
  I am an infrequent traveler but part of my pre-travel routine is checking the guidelines the day before, and making sure I'm following them, because I abhor being That Person. And even following the guidelines to a T, I always get selected for the extra scan, because I am constantly cold, and wear sweatshirts - not even jackets with metal zippers, just sweatshirts. Apparently armpit heat is suspicious. And the last time that happened, the scanner decided it was so suspicious that I warranted an additional pat-down, and had to wait a quarter hour before a female TSA agent finally showed up. My traveling buddy went through the basic line and came out way ahead of me.
  - wenc 3y ago
    I think what may have slowed you down is the female TSA agent, not Precheck in general. That’s unfortunate. Also business traveler tip for future: all heavy and light tops (light jackets, suit jacket, winter coats, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc) go into the bin. Pockets empty, no wallet, watches, phones, etc. — put them in your jacket or hoodie. Basically walk through that metal detector with only your basic layers and you will be through in 15 seconds.

wenc 3y ago

I travel a fair bit and have TSA Precheck. It’s very far from spotty. It’s not so much about what you do in line as it is about the line — it’s way way shorter than the normal line. I get through TSA Precheck lines in under 10 minutes whereas a normal line can take an hour when it’s busy. Plus Precheck lines have a higher proportion of business travelers who know what they’re doing and know the dance to get through the line quickly (3-1-1, pockets emptied to tray, no water). Infrequent travelers are usually the biggest causes of a slow line because they’re unfamiliar with the routine. Precheck lines also don’t require you to take off shoes or take laptops out of bag. Even if you are flagged for secondary, you just have to step through the full body scanner. It literally takes 3 mins. I get TSA Precheck as part of the Nexus program and I definitely see its value.

ghaff 3y ago
As I wrote, TSA-Precheck is a pretty big win if you travel almost any amount at all. I'm usually through in 5-10 minutes though I don't count of it Global Entry is more variable but it costs very little more if you travel internationally. I'll generally worry less about loyalty programs beyond a bare minimum going forward as I travel less. But Pre-check/GE seem like a win for even semi-regular travelers.
CatWChainsaw 3y ago
I am an infrequent traveler but part of my pre-travel routine is checking the guidelines the day before, and making sure I'm following them, because I abhor being That Person. And even following the guidelines to a T, I always get selected for the extra scan, because I am constantly cold, and wear sweatshirts - not even jackets with metal zippers, just sweatshirts. Apparently armpit heat is suspicious. And the last time that happened, the scanner decided it was so suspicious that I warranted an additional pat-down, and had to wait a quarter hour before a female TSA agent finally showed up. My traveling buddy went through the basic line and came out way ahead of me.
- wenc 3y ago
  I think what may have slowed you down is the female TSA agent, not Precheck in general. That’s unfortunate. Also business traveler tip for future: all heavy and light tops (light jackets, suit jacket, winter coats, sweatshirts, hoodies, etc) go into the bin. Pockets empty, no wallet, watches, phones, etc. — put them in your jacket or hoodie. Basically walk through that metal detector with only your basic layers and you will be through in 15 seconds.