Applying for a Known Travel Number (KTN) with the TSA

Rebecca JonesSeptember 29, 2016There has been a lot of news about the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) lately. Long lines are plaguing airline travelers all over the country. So, is applying for the Pre-Check status worth it?  How difficult is it to obtain this status?I visited www. tsa.gov/tsa-precheck to get started on the process.   It was very easy to apply online, then schedule a time to visit my local office for an in-person interview.  The application asks simple questions about your current address, birthplace, any aliases or former names used, and your criminal and mental background.Once I completed the online application, I was able to schedule a time online to visit my local screening location in person.  The first time available was the next week for me, so I scheduled a time and waited.The next week, when I went to my appointment, I was surprised to find it was in an H&R Bloch tax office.  Apparently, that is very common, and they were able to see me right when I arrived.  The gentleman I worked with was very professional, and commented they were booked straight through all day with applicant appointments, with no time for walk-ins.I sat in a cubicle with him, and reviewed all the information that I had submitted online the week before.  I had to press the enter button on a keypad to confirm all the information was correct.  Once we got through all of that, I paid the enrollment fee.  Then I had to stand and put my fingers on an electronic scanner to take my fingerprints.  Those were saved, and I signed my name on an electronic pad, then I was free to go. The entire interview took less than 15 minutes.The interviewer told me I could expect to hear an answer from the TSA as to whether or not I was approved in about 2-3 weeks.  I had an email in my inbox in 3 days, approving my status.  I received a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that I can now put into my profile with the airlines who offer the pre-check status, and will have that status when I travel with them.While the program is a great way for low-risk travelers to enjoy a more streamlined security screening, there are some things to consider before applying.There is an $85.00 enrollment fee that is payable at the in-person interview.  Your enrollment is good for five years.Not all airlines participate in the TSA Pre-Check program.  There are currently 16 airlines who participate. Major airlines include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.  If you don’t frequently fly one of the participating airlines, it may not be beneficial for you to enroll.In addition to the limited number of airlines enrolled in the program, not all airports are large enough to have a separate TSA line. There are currently 160 airports participating. If your airport doesn’t have a TSA pre-check line on a regular basis, this program may not be for you.With that in mind, if you decide to go ahead and apply for enrollment in the Pre-Check program, one huge benefit is being able to keep your shoes and light jackets on in the screening process.  You can also keep your laptop in its case, and your 3-1-1 liquids in their bag.TSA Pre-Check also means expedited screening – meaning shorter lines that tend to move faster, since no one is waiting at the end, trying to put their shoes back on while the bags stack up on the conveyor belt.If you feel it would be beneficial for you to enroll in the TSA Pre-Check Program, I highly recommend you visit their website, www.tsa.gov.