The Best Reasons You Need TSA Precheck Or Global Entry

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All The Best Reasons To Get TSA Precheck

Here I will talk about all the reasons you should have TSA Precheck or Global Entry. You may have asked yourself that same question. Have you had that fretful moment, you have to stand in line and are often made to feel like a smuggler in security. You are a good citizen and did all the right things before you got to the airport. You made sure all of your liquids are under an ounce and you did not even carry a fingernail file or clippers.  You did really good looking at the LONG list of items you can not carry on an airplane now. As soon as it is your turn to grab a bin to put your items in to be scanned the pressure is on. 

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT TAKE ON A PLANE GO HERE!

You will be asked to remove your shoes, your belt, jewelry, and all the items in your pockets. Next your cell phone, I-pad, laptop and any other electronic device. If you have a dress on, it can be even worse.  They have to visually see the outline of your legs. If not, the frisk will be part of your entry on the airplane. By the time you board you have been made to feel like a criminal. 

I honestly used to think people complained about this just a little too much. Now, I feel differently after the 12 to 15 flights we have taken in the last few years. So, which should you do TSA Precheck or Global Entry?  

Maybe you don’t even know the difference. Well, I am about to help you out with that explanation. 

TSA or Transportation Security Administration

The TSA doesn’t mean to be intimidating, they just are. Over the last few years I have met some really nice ones. I have also met some really unkind ones. The kind that make you heave a sigh of relief when you finally sit down in your assigned airline seat.  So what is TSA?  They are the Transportation Security Administration and it is their job to keep objects or substances off of airlines and airplanes.  It is a pretty important job. 

TSA has the job of protecting our airways and that involves you too, the flier.  When you go to the airport you must be thoroughly checked out before you pass the gate. It’s a pain.  The last few years when my husband and I fly we have randomly gotten what is called TSA Precheck. When you fly if you look at your ticket or boarding pass the right corner will have a green check and will say TSA precheck. After getting it a few times we were spoiled. What do you get if you are TSA Prechecked?

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Passport Application Looks Like This

Advantages Of TSA Precheck

All The Best Reasons You Should Have TSA Precheck Or Global Entry

• The number one reason is the expedited security lines. One of the most stressful things at the airport is the long line. You wait and wait and wait, scooting your bags an inch at a time. 
• You don’t have to remove your laptop, phone and other electronic equipment. 
• Your outer garments can be left on, including a scarf, shoes, and belt. 
• The body scanner is not used, so not low level radiation every time you step up. 

“10 minutes for TSA Pre✓®, some airports experienced longer than usual wait times.”

Even if you did do all the proper things to go through security, the five people ahead of you may not have and that is what slows EVERYTHING down. It also does not mean you will never ever have to be patted down. 

TSA always has the right to pull you out and pat you down. Transportation Security can do any number of these things:

1. Check your checked bags
2. Check your carry on bags
3. Pat you down
4.  Screen you with a scanner

1. Remove you from a flight
2. Do a full body scan
3. Make you remove clothing
4. Make you take everything out and check other things in your bag with x-ray

Domestic flights only

TSA Precheck is for Domestic flights only. It expedites the processing time through the security points. How do you get it?  The wait right now is averaging 5 minutes or less. 273 airports provide TSA precheck now. 

How Do You Apply

1. The application is online.
2. The fee is 85$ (non-refundable) The application takes 5 minutes and there are many enrollment centers.
3. The enrollment center will do fingerprints and interview.

Items You Will Need

1. Drivers license, the Real ID is required or other form of ID, such as a federal employee ID
2. A passport helps
3.  Proof of citizenship: US birth certificate and other papers 

Acceptable Forms Of ID

  Unexpired U.S. Passport (book or card)
• Unexpired Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)
• Unexpired Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Card
• Unexpired U.S. Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or
Unexpired Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
• Permanent Resident Card (I-551) often referred to
as a “Green Card”
• Unexpired Foreign Passport AND immigrant visa
with I-551 annotation of “Upon Endorsement Serves
as Temporary I-551 Evidencing Permanent Residence
of 1 Year”
• Unexpired Re-entry Permit (I-327)

If you do not have anything on the left, than you must have these 2 documents.

1) a valid photo ID, and
2) a document that meets citizenship requirements. (e.g. one document from each column below)

For a complete list of what you can or can not take on flights go to TSA Here.

Global Entry

If you are planning on flying internationally then the Global Entry is the way to go. Global entry also helps expedite reentry into the country. As in TSA Precheck the wait is less and much simpler.  It is call the Trusted Traveler program for a reason.  They have already done all the heavy checking on you before you get there. Global Entry is a program from Customs and Immigrations not Transportation Security. 

Just one of the best reasons for getting Global Entry is Customs.  When you enter and foreign country you have to go through their customs at the airport.  This is where they will ask you is you brought any food, seeds, certain $ amounts of merchandise and a list of other questions to enter their country. 

Customs can also be intimidating.  It is also a very, very long line. Most airlines give you the paperwork you must fill out to enter the United States when you return as well. On their you must also declare items you are bringing back into the US. 

We were so pleased to skip this line that had a couple hundred people in it when we came back from Spain, as well as entering into many foreign countries they accept this as well. 

How Do You Apply

The process is very similar. 

• The application is filled out online. 
• The cost is 100$(non-refundable)
• You will receive a conditional acceptance
• It will require an interview after conditional acceptance as well as fingerprints and photos.

Pros

• The pros are very similiar to TSA Precheck. You still will not waint in long lines and have to take of coats scarfs or belts. 
• Reentry to the States is much simpler as well. 
• It is only 15$ and includes TSA Precheck.

Cons

• The TSA has not quite caught up with the number of travelers interested in the Global Entry. 
• Many places have not appointments available till next year.
• The first come first serve mentioned online is only available to 4-6 walk ins a day. 
• Some states do not have an enrollment center and traveling hours away is a nuisance.

If you have to be a walk in, get there early. They open at 0830. We were there at 0700. Drove 2 hours to get here. I was number 2, my husband number 3. The gentleman ahead of us was on his 3rd trip there!  He said he was getting a number this time. 

Which Should I Do?

It is one decision that should not be hard to make. If  you are never ever going to fly out of the country then do TSA Precheck, but is you plan on flying internationally, well, Global Entry is the way to go for 15 more dollars. 

Flying is a pleasure and having to wait in long security lines is not. Take the time and decide for yourself whether you should apply for TSA Precheck or Global Entry.

These are just a few of the best reasons you should have TSA Precheck or Global Entry. Get one or the other and you will not regret it. Decide which is best for you. 

They last 5 years. That is a nice long time!