The Department of Homeland Security has launched a few initiatives throughout time to lessen the discomfort of standing in line at American airports. Since you are reading this article, I won’t presume you need to know more about either of their specifics. But it is sufficient to state that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry have saved millions of tired travelers time, if not their lives.

Obtaining TSA PreCheck is a rather straightforward procedure:

1.Online applications must be completed and the $78 application fee paid (I still can’t believe the cost DROPPED!)
2.Make a time to enroll in person by making an appointment.
3.Enroll in said program (really simply fingerprints for a background check).
4.Obtain your KTN (Known Traveler Number).

You now have TSA PreCheck, whoosh! The TSA claims that following fingerprinting, the majority of applicants receive their KTN in 3-5 days (TSA acknowledges that certain applications may take up to 60 days, but that seems to be the exception, not the rule).

The procedure for Global Entry is more challenging:

1.Online registration for Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP)
2.Register with TTP, fill out the application, and send $100.
3.Await conditional approval of your application.
4.After being granted with conditions, schedule an interview.
5.Determine whether you have been accepted or not.

because it can be difficult to get an interview appointment time (although there are plenty of methods to accelerate that), Global Entry takes more time (much, much more time) to complete. They have a SIGNIFICANT backlog. They already had a backlog before the epidemic, and now that more individuals are applying and fewer people are working at DHS, it’s gotten even worse.

But keep in mind that receiving free TSA PreCheck status is another benefit of having Global Entry status. It makes sense because they are already performing the rigorous screening for Global Entry, which also applies to TSA PreCheck. You received both for $100, saving you the $78 for PreCheck and the $100 for Global Entry. nice offer.

This brings up a crucial issue:

Is conditional permission for Global Entry “good enough” to allow you to skip the PreCheck line if you already have it?

Given that TSA PreCheck doesn’t need an interview, you could assume so. Sadly, the response is emphatically NO.

Keep in mind that a KTN is required to enter the TSA PreCheck line. If you want “PreCheck” to appear on your boarding card, you must provide the airlines with your KTN at some time prior to your flight (that number is your golden ticket to the PreCheck queue). Unfortunately, until the entire procedure, including your interview, is finished, you won’t be able to obtain a KTN via Global Entry.

So I just have to wait as I sit?

There are methods to hasten the interview process, as we already said.

And you can always apply for TSA PreCheck separately if you’re that interested in acquiring it while you’re waiting for your Global Entry application or interview to be finished. But you’ll still have to pay the additional $78.

I am aware that everything is terrible. However, it is what it is. Good fortune!

CLEAR

An outside business called CLEAR utilizes biometric information to expedite the identification verification procedure. Annual membership fees are $179. Your eyes and fingerprints will be scanned during enrolment and compared to your ID. After registering, you won’t need to show your ID on subsequent flights, which will save you time and streamline the procedure.