Enrolling in TSA PreCheck will help you skip the long airport security line for five years
One holiday tradition many of us may prefer to do without is waiting in long lines at the airport security gate.
“Anybody who travels even infrequently, especially if you’re going to a lot of larger airports, the TSA lines can sometimes be very long at those airports. So this would definitely benefit anybody who is flying to larger airports or even anyone here in the future,” said Idaho Falls Regional Airport director, Rick Cloutier.
The Transportation Security Administration’s program called ‘TSA PreCheck’ is landing at our airport this week (Sept. 16-20) with an enrollment event.
It allows passengers to have easier access to their gate, by reducing the number of security measures they have to go through when they go through the TSA line.
Travelers can begin the sign-up process online and then complete it by making an in-person visit to the enrollment center. All you need is a current u.S. Passport or drivers license and a certified copy of your birth certificate.
“It makes it an easy place to get the TSA PreCheck screening done. Normally you have to get online, fill out this information, and get a schedule to do it at an office building some not necessarily near here,” said Cloutier.
Small airports don’t usually have dedicated TSA PreCheck lines, but you still get the perks.
“Most small airports that don’t have a dedicated PreCheck line, they’ll give you a card so you have less TSA screening going through the line. You won’t have to empty your bag, you don’t have to pull out your electronics things like that, you don’t have to take your shoes and belt off, and you can go to through the other screening machine, instead of the big screening machine,” said Cloutier.
The Idaho Falls Regional Airport will have a TSA PreCheck line next year when the construction is complete, but even without a line right now, you still get the perks.
Not only can adults enjoy the benefits of enrolling in TSA PreCheck but any child that is twelve and under can use the service when traveling with an eligible parent or guardian on the same itinerary.
According to TSA 93% of travelers eligible for TSA PreCheck have waited five minutes or less to be screened through security.