I just went through security for the first time at Albany International Airport (it’s not exactly an international airport; I only saw domestic flights on the departures board but I believe some flights used to fly into Canada.) The security line had about a dozen people in it and as I made my way to the TSA PreCheck lane, an airport worker (not the TSA), yelled at me and said I was going the wrong way, as there’s only one security line. “Even for passengers with TSA PreCheck?” I asked. He answered yes, but said I would still get the benefits PreCheck affords passengers. I was thinking to myself, ‘isn’t one of the benefits to get a shorter line?’ but I wasn’t in the mood for arguing and I wasn’t in a hurry.
In the regular line, I noticed the TSA agent handing nine out of 10 of the passengers a laminated TSA PreCheck card that stated that passengers did not have to “take off your shoes, belt, headwear or lighter outer garment.” But the next paragraph read that you must “divest your laptop computer and 3-1-1 compliant bag of liquids and must place them in a divesting bin.”
Divest? Really? Do you think most passengers know what divest means? I had to look it up. And worse yet, all the passengers around me had no idea what TSA PreCheck was. Now, I’m not even sure what the point of having TSA PreCheck is. Aren’t you supposed to be “pre-checked” with an interview? According to the TSA website, the PreCheck program “allows low-risk travelers to experience expedited, more efficient security screening at participating U.S. airport checkpoints for domestic and international travel.” But in order to receive this privilege, you must apply, undergo a background check, provide fingerprints, have an interview, etc. Only once approved and granted a Known Traveler Number, should you then be able to use the TSA PreCheck line.
So – what gives if TSA agents are randomly handing out TSA PreCheck cards and what does this mean for the safety of passengers and the security process as a whole?
TSA had managed to make a good thing controversial.http://www.boomeresque.com/tsa-precheck-yes-please/
Just went through the same thing at North Bend, Oregon airport flying out from Bandon Dunes. Confusing, somewhat inconvenient, but ultimately more worry some because of history: didn’t most of the 9/11 hijackers enter the system through smaller regional airports? If the inconsistent application of TSA-Pre exists at these locations then they are a weakness in the security of the system and need to be fixed.
I have enjoyed TSA Precheck for a couple years and never applied. I suspect it has been because I fly so often with United. Seems I read somewhere that TSA was being lenient in order to encourage others to apply. I have never had a problem except in the smaller airports. For some reason, smaller airports still want the liquids out and sometimes shoes off. I love the convenience so applied for GE and enter my Known Traveler # when I book a domestic flight.
Ah.. LAX in the past I have been told that I was not prechecked one day. and a few days later told i was. I have done everything I needed to do. I have never had a problem in NY or Honolulu or Miami – airports I use a lot. But LAX I am never sure they will recognize me Pre Check… so I have to get there the same time as if I was not pre Checked. The system is a waste of time and money for the TSA.
Randomly, you will be subjected to normal screening even if you have a known flier number. If you check in before going to the airport, your boarding pass will tell you if you have gotten precheck before you head to the airport.
According to the TSA web site, that card is wrong. You’re not supposed to have to remove your laptop or 3-1-1 compliant bag from your carry-on.
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/what-tsa-precheck
Actually the card is correct if you are a precheck passenger in a regulat( non precheck) lane. They do this in most airports if you are sent to or choose to use the non precheck check point.
OK so can you tell me why I went through a background check, interview, fingerprinting, photos etc and the privilege of paying a charge north of $100 – what do I get??
Simple, you weren’t at Albany airport, you were really in Albinia airport? ;)
I have flown from LAX to Heathrow 6 times in the past 9 months. On three occasions I was sent to the TSA Pre-check line and did not have to remove my shoes or computer from its case. I have the same questions about this that you do. What is the answer?
Completely agree. Having submitted to the interview and paid $100 for global entry, it is very frustrating that the airlines or agents just put randoms in the line. I’m happy you were handed the cards because when I’ve been in the airport people have no idea WHAT to do and they take their belts and shoes off and hold you up. I don’t really understand why they bill it as exclusive if they are going to offer it to anyone at will.
It is that way at my home airport every week. They have a dedicated pre-check lane and at 5 am on a Sunday I was behind two families with 3 kids each and no clue what they were doing. I would have spent less time in line going thru regular security lanes. I have been pre-check since inception and it continually gets worse. At inception it was a convenience for frequent travelers to apples up time spent in security. Now it’s a dumping ground for the elderly and families they don’t want clogging up standard security lines. Yes, I am very disenchanted with it.
It’s been my experience that TSA PreCheck is interpreted differently at “minor” airports (such as Albany). This is actually pretty surprising since TSA is a nationwide program. But it is what it is…and what it is is inconsistent. On a recent trip my husband and I passed through multiple airports and only in San Jose, did the TSA confiscate his teeny tiny Swiss Army knife…same carry-on bag, same knife. It just seems to be their thing in SJC because while we watched, they nabbed several other Swiss Army carrying passengers.
Many small airport don’t have space/money to do a PreCheck line so they do the Card thing.
The letting many people go thru PreCheck is go get them to see how nice it is and give our Government $100 to do it. It’s all about $
The 2″ Swiss Army knife is because the Crybaby Stewardess’ Union whined about letting us have them but you can bring on 24″ sewing needles and sharpened dinner kniives and plastic knives. American’s are ruled by the whiny minority!
I agree Johnny, too many times I have gone through TSA precheck lanes and the TSA agents are redirecting non prescreened passages through the Lane because these lines are shorter. I have now seen this numerous times at LAS, SNA and SLC. Then the lines slow down because these people don’t understand they do not have to remove jackets, computers etc. I guess I spent $100 for GE to get this privilege, including waiting months for an interview, fingerprints, background check so I can watch someone get in front of me and
know not what to do…sheeesh!