4 ms·

What's pre-check?

• alistairSH 2y ago
  TSA pre-check is a pre-screening program that air travelers can use to bypass the normal security line. It's not a huge time-saver (any more, used to be more) but gets you out of a few annoyances like removing shoes, unpacking toiletries, and a few other things. And the lines are usually a bit shorter and the ratio of regular traveller to new traveller is a bit better (less likely to get caught behind somebody who doesn't know the process and wastes everybody's time).
  • ghaff 2y ago
    And they don't put you through the nudie scanner (or whatever it's called) which is important to some people. I have pre-check automatically through global entry (that basically lets you bypass immigration coming back into the US). Just got ETA for the UK and you also have e-entry (which usually works) from the US and a number of other countries as well.
    • alistairSH 2y ago
      Usually true, though I don't believe that's guaranteed. And all the lines at IAD have the new, high-powered luggage scanners (for carry-on, so still less powerful than the ones used for checked bags). So for those of that fly with film camera gear, we need a hand check with or without pre-check.
      • ghaff 2y ago
        Right--though pretty rare in my experience. Though you can always(?) ask for a hand check rather than going through the more invasive scanner. Haven't used film for a while :-) Back in the film days, at least latterly I traveled with my film in a lead-lined bag.