“Don’t Go There and Have No Clue What You’re Supposed to Do.” Travel Experts Spill Their BEST TSA PreCheck Tips

Security can be one of the most stressful parts of air travel. 

There are different ways to help ease the pain of security. If you are flying through the Orlando International Airport, you can reserve a spot for security by using MCO Reserve three days before your flight. You can also use paid-for services like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. We asked Travel Experts, our awesome readers, what their best tips are for going through TSA PreCheck.

TSA PreCheck is a paid-for service good for five years. At security, those with TSA PreCheck have a dedicated line, can keep their shoes, belt, and jacket on, leave their electronics in their bag, and go through a standard metal detector. 

Our readers, who happen to be travel experts when it comes to using TSA PreCheck, shared their best tips for making security through TSA PreCheck easier. 

Many readers shared that one of the best things you can do is combine TSA PreCheck with CLEAR. While TSA PreCheck does have a separate security line, you will still need to get a form of identification check with a TSA officer. With CLEAR, you get a separate line, and your identification is checked using biometrics. Just like TSA PreCheck, you need to pay for this service, but there is a bundle that offers both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. The combination of the two will make getting your identification checked and getting through security much easier.

While TSA PreCheck typically gets you through security faster, you will still want to arrive for your flight early as sometimes there can be back-ups. One reader shared that you should still give yourself plenty of time before your flight to get through security, even if you have TSA PreCheck.

On the other hand, you do not want to arrive too early. Sometimes, security is not open in the early morning hours, and this includes TSA PreCheck. So make sure to research ahead of time to make sure you arrive when TSA PreCheck opens in the airport you are flying out of to ensure you get to use the perk that you pay for.

TSA PreCheck and the standard security line may move faster or slower depending on the airport from which you are flying. One tip a reader shared is that the line can move a lot faster if you know what you are doing. They said, “ Don’t go there and have no clue what you’re supposed to do. Get your stuff together and in the right place BEFORE you enter the PreCheck line.” This tip also works for the regular security line. Being prepared can make the line move faster. 

While TSA PreCheck does allow you to keep a jacket, shoes, and belt on, the metal detector can still go off. One reader shared that you should not wear a lot of bling and make sure you remove all metal from your pockets to avoid being stopped by security. 

If you are considering getting TSA PreCheck, the service is good for five years and costs between $77.95 and $85. If you are planning on applying, make sure to give your application plenty of time to process. While applications are typically approved in three to five days, it can take upwards of 60 days.

For more tips on traveling and Disney, make sure to continue to follow along with AllEars!

4 Unspoken Rules for Using TSA PreCheck

Do you use TSA PreCheck? Let us know in the comments!