Not long ago, I signed up for the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) PreCheck program and was sharing the benefits with a firm administrator at an AALA event recently. She suggested that I write a Tuesday Tip about it because everyone would like to be able to save time at the airport.
Let’s be honest, no one likes the hassle of traveling through airports these days. Waiting in long lines, and having to take off shoes are just some of the frustrations of air travel. For the busy attorney or business person, this cuts into valuable time that could be spent working. Taking the time upfront to sign up for this program will save countless hours and hassle in the future while traveling.
Once you are enrolled in the program you will be able to avoid waiting in the regular security check-in line. Instead, there is a TSA PreCheck line designed for those who are in the program. Besides the benefit of avoiding long security lines, the TSA PreCheck also allows travelers to leave on their shoes, belt and lightweight jackets. You do not have to remove your laptops or quart size bags of liquid from your luggage.
To get started in the program you need to fill out the TSA PreCheck application, answer questions face-to-face with a TSA employee, and pay an $85 fee for a five-year membership in the program. The TSA has made it simple to apply. You can fill out the application online, and schedule an appointment at an enrollment center (or show up and wait your turn – I did this and only had to wait about 15 minutes). During the appointment you will be asked a series of questions, provide valid identity and citizenship documentation, and be fingerprinted.
Once you are approved, you will receive your Known Traveler Number. It takes about 2-3 weeks for this to occur. Add that Known Traveler Number to any profile that you have set up with airlines or manually add the number when booking an airline ticket. Over 117 airports are currently participating in the program. Delta, Alaska, American, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, United, US Airways and Virgin America are participating airlines.
While our regular tips are usually technical, I thought this one might be helpful for those who travel often. Here are two other great tips from our previous posts that will keep your trips running smoothly as well, Be Careful Where you Re-Charge Your iPhone and Let Uber Hail Your Next Cab.
Alisa Michael
With over 15 years’ experience in the legal arena as well as client management, Alisa brings her experience to Network 1’s team, clients and partners. She strives to be proactive in managing clients’ needs and expectations with an outcome of client satisfaction and retention.
amichael@network1consulting.com or 404.997.7637
Network 1 Consulting is a 16-year-old, IT Support company in Atlanta, GA. We become – or augment – the IT department for law firms and medical practices. Our IT experts can fix computers – but what our clients really value are the industry-specific best practices we bring to their firms. This is especially important with technology, along with regulations and cyber threats, changing so rapidly. We take a proactive approach to helping our clients use technology to gain and keep their competitive advantage.
[…] This is a crowdsourced travel app where the users can access the waiting times for the airport security checkpoints. It will help you save time and significantly reduce your stress level while traveling – or waiting to travel. Rave reviews show it to be quite accurate. For another great tip on saving time at the airport, check out Alisa’s previous article about the TSA PreCheck Program. […]