The Benefits of TSA Precheck for Tennis Travel

What is TSA PreCheck and Who is it For? 

TSA PreCheck is a government program that started in December of 2003. People who have used the convenient and quick TSA Pre lane at the airport have gone through the process to apply to the Trusted Traveler Program or TTP. This program expedites travel within the United States and for anyone who considers travel more than a few times a year, it is definitely something to consider. When considering applying for this program, I felt like it was best to apply for the Global Entry level of the TTP, since I make both domestic and international travel. For the five year program it was only $22 more than just the TSA Program, making it only slightly more expensive.

Why I Love TSA PreCheck

In the world of the post 9/11 era, extra long lines going through security at the airport are simply a reality. I have not forgotten waiting in the long lines that snaked around the posts and ropes that show people where to cue. It is a horrible feeling to be in a long, slow moving line when you are pushing the clock, praying that you will make your flight before they close the door to the aircraft.. As a passenger, I remember the hassle of taking off your shoes and removing your laptop computer and the extra strict scrutiny of liquids and such that were implemented to keep us safe. Now, because I went through the process of applying for the Trusted Traveler Program, I have the convenience and speed of getting to use the TSA PreCheck line when I go to the airport to travel. Which is a great program to not only save time but also an easier screening process.

How TSA PreCheck has saved me time 

When it comes to getting to the airport, I like getting to the airport with plenty of time to get through security, fill up my water bottle on the other side and many even find a lounge to relax for a minute and charge up my devices before getting on the plane. 

However, when I travel with my family not everyone feels like I do and they like to keep their time at the airport short. With the TSA PreCheck program linked to your frequent travel profile, the line generally moves quickly and the screening process is less invasive, meaning that you do not need to take your shoes off or remove your laptop computer and put it in a separate bin. 

One time I was at an airport that I do not go to often and I was not paying close enough attention to the line I was putting my luggage through. Without realizing it, I got into a line that was not TSA PreCheck, it was a normal security lane. Before I could make a change, I found myself having to untie and remove my shoes, take my laptop out of my bag and go through the more intense screening. I made my flight just fine, but it was a great reminder that TSA PreCheck is so much easier and way less hassle.

When you are at a domestic airport, you will usually see a few different lines when you go through security. You will see General Boarding, CLEAR, and TSA PreCheck. According to the TSA, more than 89% of PreCheck-eligible passengers waited five minutes or less in March 2023. 

In my experience, it is rare to wait in a super long TSA PreCheck line. If I have had a bit of a wait in a TSA PreCheck line, then it just happened to be a time of high volume traffic and whatever the line is at TSA PreCheck, the line at General Boarding was much longer. 

CLEAR is another line that you will see at the airport. It is a pre-screening program that is administered by a private company. I did not choose to go the route of using CLEAR simply because it is expensive and must be renewed annually. 

It is an interesting process as it uses biometrics, such as fingerprint and iris scans, to confirm your identity at a kiosk. You must still go through physical security screenings at participating airports, but you can bypass the identification check and get straight to the conveyor belt and security scanners. In my experience, getting through the identification part is not hard so the cost of CLEAR is not worth the cost. 

I also find the CLEAR people at the airport are high pressure and not clear as to what they are selling you. Recently I was traveling home from JFK airport and I almost got sucked into CLEAR by one of their representatives. 

Look closely at their uniform, it is very similar to what airport representatives wear, but they are a private company. The woman at JFK did not present herself as an employee of CLEAR but asked if I had my card. 

Laughingly, I said I have a lot of cards and she took me over to a clear kiosk wanting me to input my email. I thanked her and went to the line for TSA PreCheck. It was not a long wait and I was not worried about it because I like to budget a cushion of time when I fly.

Things that are different about checking in through TSA PreCheck than using the normal security line? 

General Boarding vs. TSA PreCheck is really no contest at all. In General Boarding you have much more intense screening. You will need to remove your shoes, you need to take your laptop out of your bag and put it in a different bin. The General Boarding process will put you through the image screening machine, which some people feel is invasive. You used to have to take your bag of liquids out, but I think they have changed that requirement. 

TSA PreCheck is much easier. Firstly, the line is shorter, but also the screening process is simplified. I do not have to remove shoes, take my computer out of my bag or go through the image screening process. 

For me, TSA PreCheck is worth the investment of a bit of time and money to be part of the Trusted Traveler Program. In my opinion, being able to get through the TSA PreCheck line is definitely the way to go for anyone who enjoys traveling but doesn’t like the additional hassle of waiting in long lines. 

Who is TSA PreCheck for? 

Applying for the Trusted Traveler Program and the TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Program is worth it for only who makes a few trips a year. If you rarely travel on an airplane, maybe this is not for you. However, If you travel three or more times a year on an airplane, I highly recommend it! 

Because I usually travel abroad at least once a year and wanted to apply to be part of the  Trusted Traveler Program (TTP), I applied for the Global Entry Program. This is a program that includes TSA PreCheck.  For me, I use the TSA PreCheck part of the program the most. If you apply for the Global Entry level, which is what I did, you need to schedule an interview and sometimes that appointment can be 4-6 months out. 

You will be dealing with a government office, so imagine the DMV and don’t expect the process to be a quick one. But the good side is that once it is done, it is easy to renew. 

There is a questionnaire on https://ttp.dhs.gov/ to see which of these plan is right for you and what your travel needs are.

What do you need to gather to apply for TSA PreCheck? 

When you apply for TSA PreCheck you will need a few pieces of information. TSA PreCheck, you will need proof of citizenship like a birth certificate or passport or a Permanent Resident Card, but if you are looking at Global Entry, there is a bit more that you will need. We have passports, so using that along with a driver’s license, we were able to apply for Global Entry. Your application can depend on your citizenship so check https://ttp.dhs.gov/ for specific requirements if you don’t have a passport and driver’s license already. 

When you set up your TTP account, you will need:

• An email address (in order to create a Login.gov account)
• Address history for the past five years
• Employment history for the past five years
• International Travel history for the past five years
• Court documents (if you have ever been convicted of a crime other than a traffic violation)
• Vehicle information (if you plan on driving across the border from Mexico into the United States)
• Phone number(s)
• Documentation to prove any other citizenships (if any)

How much does it cost to get TSA PreCheck? 

The cost associated with getting TSA PreCheck is $78 for 5 years or Global Entry is $100 for the same 5 years. 

One thing of note, that if you get TSA PreCheck, you cannot upgrade it to $100. If you decide that you want Global Entry after you get TSA PreCheck, it will be an additional $100. That is why I got Global Entry from the start, because it was not a lot more and I do travel overseas. 

Where do you apply for TSA PreCheck? 

If you are interested in applying for either the TSA PreCheck Program or the Global Entry Program, you can apply online. The Global Entry Program does require a face to face interview, and sometimes those appointments can be 4-6 months out. 

My daughter just applied for Global Entry. She made her appointment in December, for an interview in April. It is smart to plan ahead when considering applying. She also told me that while there was a four month wait, the interview itself was very quick and easy.

My husband traveled to Europe with his parents and siblings last year and many of them do not have a TTP account. It was a lot more difficult to travel with the members of the family that did not have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The lines were so much longer and they got way too close to missing a connection because they were held up coming back into the United States and couldn’t breeze through the entry process with Global Entry. 

Summary – TSA PreCheck – Just Do it! 

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are an absolute must for anyone out there that enjoys traveling and wants to keep the process as simple as possible and the waiting in line as short as possible. When I travel, I appreciate the streamlined process that I enjoy as being part of the Trusted Traveler Program and using the TSA PreCheck lines at the airport. I highly recommend looking into this program because while there is joy along the journey, it is a lot more fun to explore and learn than to wait in a long line. 

So do yourself a favor and sign up for TSA PreCheck – spend your time thinking about fun (and tennis!) rather than security lines at airports

To Apply for TSA PreCheck: : https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/tsa-precheck

What is Digital ID and is it worth it?

Recently, I traveled back to Utah from Atlanta. The night before the flight, I checked in with my phone, like I always do and there was an unusual flag that occurred. My Delta app notified me that I qualified for Digital ID and did I want to proceed with that. I clicked yes, and was interested to see that this would do.

What is the Digital ID program? 

Digital ID works in conjunction with TSA PreCheck, it is not designed to replace it. The Digital ID program is a biometric screening that can take you all the way from curb to gate with no need of any documents. Of course, if you look at the fine print, you should still have your physical documents, just in case you get flagged for random check. This new program does not get you to cut to the front of the line like CLEAR, but in my experience, Digital ID made getting through the line much quicker. It is still being rolled out, so currently it is only available at ATL and DTW.

Who will benefit from the Digital ID Program?

Anyone who travels often, especially from Atlanta (ATL) or Detroit (DTW) will really appreciate the convenience and ease that the Digital ID Program offers. This is a new program and it is to be expected to be rolled out in other airports. Currently there is no specific date assigned to this future roll out. Additionally, some states like; Georgia, Colorado, Arizona and Maryland have capability to link your state issued identification to your Apple Wallet. Even with this link, it is a good idea to have your identification on you. 

Why is Digital ID a good idea?

In my mind, anything that helps the security screening process proceed in a safe and timely fashion is a win for all of us. In the past, I have had to stand in very long lines at the airport to get through security. I appreciate that the good people of the TSA are doing their best to make sure that we are safe while we travel, but with some of these programs in place, we are able to get through that process quicker. 

How will Digital ID work for me?

TSA continues to integrate new technologies so that we can have a faster, easier travel experience. Since 2020, there has been a collaboration on several innovative digital identity initiatives that will work in place of a physical identification, like a driver’s license and our boarding passes. It seems like the process is slightly different each time I go to the airport, but I imagine that is because the technology is changing and updating so quickly. If you are wanting to try the Digital ID program, be sure to follow the steps to setup and activate your selected digital identity solution before your trip so it’s ready to present at the TSA checkpoint. I discovered that I was eligible for this when I checked in for my flight 24 hours before, so keep a look out from your travel carrier. You might be getting advice on how to get through security quicker. If you are traveling out of a select airport, you will be able to opt-in to participate in the TSA PreCheck® Touch less Identity Solution program during check-in with participating airlines. Take a minute and store your participation preference, TSA PreCheck® KTN and Passport Number in the airlines mobile app. By opting in, your identity can be verified without presenting a physical ID at the bag drop, the security checkpoint, and at the boarding gate. So much easier!

Here is a really cool tip to consider:

If you have a smartphone, you might be able to have a Mobile Driver’s License. If you live in certain states, you can add your state-issued eligible driver’s license or identification card to your phone’s digital wallet. When going through security, you can present your ID at select TSA PreCheck® checkpoints by tapping your phone or linked device. Your photo will be taken by the TSA reader at security to proceed to screening. You must still carry your physical ID as needed.

In conclusion, I am really glad that I took the route of Digital ID when traveling from Atlanta to Salt Lake City in June of 2023. The general boarding line was as long as I had ever seen in an airport in the United States. It was interesting to see that the TSA Pre Check line was also very long. But the Digital ID line was very short and moved very quickly. I look forward to this convenient option to be available in many airports in the USA. I will keep my eyes peeled for more information about Digital ID and how to get through security quickly and safely. 

About the Author – 

Katri is an avid club player and certified tennis junkie. Katri lives by the tennis mantra of, “Do whatever it takes to keep tennis fun. Sometimes it is playing more, sometimes it is buying a new tennis skirt.” Sportsmanship and fair play are utmost important and promotion of the game of tennis is paramount. Follow along for further tennis fun and friendship while keeping your head in the game.