TSA Precheck For Military Spouses
If we're talking about passports, then we are most likely talking about airports. So, let’s explore the ins and outs of airline travel for military spouses, starting with TSA Precheck.
For those who are more unfamiliar with flying, there are typically two to three types of security lines at an airport. There will be a traditional, TSA Precheck, and CLEAR line. CLEAR is relatively new to the airport security game, and it is only in 50-ish airports today, so it might be worth pursuing if the airports you regularly fly in and out of have it, but otherwise, it’s probably not worth the cost. Unlike TSA Precheck, CLEAR has an annual fee of $199, making it significantly more expensive.
TSA Precheck is often an expedited form of security. Typically, you don’t need to remove your shoes or pull any items out of your bag for screening. In most airports, the precheck line moves much faster than the traditional one. That being said, with constant changes to screening measures and increasing popularity, the most significant benefit might be keeping your shoes on. This is a huge benefit for anyone like me who doesn’t like putting their feet (even with socks) on the airport floor.
The bigger reason you may want to consider this for airline travel is that our service members automatically get TSA Precheck. Their DOD number is the same as the Known Traveler Number that airlines and airports use to give that benefit. When booking travel, they just need to put their DOD number in the KTN field that every airline lists when booking a flight. Navigating an airport with your partner can make travel feel much smoother, especially if one or both of you are unfamiliar with traditional air travel. When we lived in Oklahoma, there would always be a ton of people in uniform trying, and it was not uncommon for me to see someone who would have a lot of flying experience with their job struggle in the airport setting because it is a totally different world than what they are used to.
The application process is pretty simple. Assuming you don’t have any disqualifying felonies on your record (not all felonies are disqualifiers), you fill out the basic application online through one of the TSA Precheck approval organizations (either CLEAR, IDEMIA, or Telos). Then, you’ll take the application to a local enrollment center. I’m pretty sure I did my enrollment at Staples. At the center, they will take your document and identification (you may need two forms depending on what kind of ID you have), fingerprint you, and take a photo. Payment is between $75 and $85, depending on where you enroll. However, check with your credit card company before doing so because many cards offer rebates or discounts on Precheck, especially if it is a card designed for travel.
It can take a couple of weeks to get approved, but it is usually a pretty smooth process. Once it is complete, you will receive a KTN that you will use when booking flights. From then on, your boarding pass will have a little checkmark on it. TSA Precheck lasts for five years, at which point you can renew.
I love air travel, and being in Oklahoma forced me to do a lot of it. My family lived 18 hours away which just wasn’t a feasible drive to make. If family is nearby, adding TSA Precheck may not make sense for you, especially if flights are few and far between. Just get to the airport as early as they recommend, and you rarely encounter security issues. But, if this is a tool you want to add to your belt, this is your starting point: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck. And I wish you all safe travels.
We are heading off on our cruise this weekend, so I will be taking next week off of the blog, especially since I won’t know the Wi-Fi situation on the ship. However, we will be back on February 17th to celebrate President’s Day together. Heads up, that is a four-day weekend for most service members, so now is definitely the time to plan something fun.