TSA PRECHECK A BOON FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS
Quick trip through security can brighten the entire journey
A quicker pass through airport security makes the entire flight experience a little more pleasant, according to a recent survey by the Global Business Travel Association.
The poll found that among those enrolled in the Transportation Security Administration’s Pre Check program, which expedites screening, 66% said they were satisfied with their treks through airport security. That’s compared with the 47% of business travelers who were not Pre Check members.
Sixty- six percent of Pre Check enrollees said they were satisfied with their subsequent flight, as compared with 54% of business travelers who were not part of the program and felt the same way.
“Getting through security is one of first steps for a business traveler once they arrive at the airport,’’ says Michael McCormick, the GBTA’s executive director. “It sets the tone, so it’s no surprise that when that goes smoothly, it carries over to the whole flying experience.”
The GBTA’s poll found 55% of corporate trekkers overall said they were satisfied with the security screening process. That was significantly lower than other aspects of the travel experience, such as staying at a hotel, which was deemed satisfactory by 83% of business travelers.
TSA’s Pre Check allows fliers to be screened more quickly because they don’t have to take off their shoes, belts or light jackets and can leave liquids and laptops in their luggage. That’s been a relief to some business travelers who find security screening to be one of the more nerve- racking aspects of travel.
“It’s brilliant, and works very well,” says USA TODAY Road Warrior Mika Manninen, who lives in Santa Monica, Calif., and is co- founder of Scandinavian Meat Masters. The program “reduces my stress considerably. For someone who flies more than 100 times per year, it’s essential.”
The Pre Check program is in place at more than 150 airports and has more than 2.1 million travelers enrolled.
To take advantage of the faster screening, fliers must fill out an application and make an appointment during which they provide fingerprints, documentation such as a passport or birth certificate and an $ 85 fee. Once approved, their status is good for five years. Those who belong to other trusted traveler programs, such as NEXUS or Global Entry, can participate in TSA Pre Check without enrolling separately.
“Most who were traveling through the U. S. aviation system in the years after 9/ 11 appreciate the progress that TSA has made,” says Kevin Mitchell, head of the Business Travel Coalition. “Pre Check members are a very satisfied lot.”
There had been complaints that some fliers, pre- screened but not enrolled in the program, were being allowed to access the Pre Check lanes, bogging down a process others had paid to expedite. In September, the TSA officially stopped using behavior detection officers and some other security methods to screen non- enrolled passengers for entry to the Pre Check lines.
The opportunities to sign up are increasing. The TSA says there are 357 enrollment centers, and fliers can sign up for the program at some H& R Block locations and other temporary enrollment centers across the USA.
Milwaukee County’s General Mitchell International Airport, for instance, invites travelers to enroll at a temporary center in the airport’s mall for two short periods nextmonth.
“It is a mutually beneficial arrangement,” airport spokesman Harold Mester says, referring to General Mitchell International’s relationship with the TSA. “The more travelers who sign up for TSA Pre Check, the faster our security lines will be, which gives travelers more time to shop or grab a bite to eat near the gates before boarding their flights.”
USA TODAY Road Warrior Kendra Kalimanis, who owns a software sales and consulting firm and lives in Portland, Ore., has belonged to TSA Pre-Check since March, 2014. “The ability to move through security faster and to generally not deal with the irregular or inexperienced traveler definitely improves my experience and my attitude,” she says.
Paul Giangarra, a Road Warrior who is an information technology engineer in Spicewood, Texas, says the program is not perfect. “Many airports are experiencing longer lines without adding capacity,” he says.
“The good part is that most airports are now checking to ensure that only travelers with ( TSA PreCheck) are in the line,” he says.
The program “reduces my stress considerably. For someone who flies more than 100 times per year, it’s essential.”
Mika Manninen,
Scandinavian Meat Masters