There is an iphone app called “My TSA” that provides wait times for TSA Pre-check lines at all major airports. It works well and fairly accurate. I am one of those weekly commuters (EWR <–> SFO) and I do use it from time to time.
It’s not you I’m bothered by; it’s the system.
We had no issues with wait times flying from San Diego to Chicago Midway the week before Memorial Day, or returning the day after. I had Pre-Check on my boarding passes ahead of time even though I’ve never applied, but DH did not and went through regular security almost as fast as I went through TSA both times - no more than 10-15 minutes.
Here’s why you get Pre-Check assigned without applying:
I almost always do get Pre-Check, probably because I always fly Southwest, always to and/or from Midway and a handful of other airports, and I’m an older woman. DH occasionally gets it. I guess I’m a more trusted traveler!
A lot has to do with whether there is a huge convention or music festival in town- especially in mid-major markets like Nashville. The 2 days after CMAFest/Bonnaroo the airport lines are insane.
I’ve been put on precheck randomly over the years and it was just someone telling people to go on one line or the other when the crowds were bad. It’s about as accurate in foretelling trustworthiness as the weather!
That has happened to me as well. (Didn’t really make me feel all that secure!)
I was pointed to the pre check line on one trip. My understanding is that is no longer going to be done.
Recently they were sending everyone back to the regular line that had pre-check on their ticket but had not gone through the program. Some unhappy people but they seem to be getting stricter at least at our airports.
Even if it might SAY you can update your Global entry online when you renew your passport, they insisted I had to come down to the office in person with all my materials. Who knows, perhaps YMMV, but I wouldn’t count on being able to complete update online.
""As for Global Entry, getting through immigration is faster at O’Hare, but when I’ve had to wait for bags, I hit customs at the same time as those who went through the regular lanes. "
Same experience at SEA. Global entry folks had to mingle with peons like us to get their bags. 
Tip number random. Do not bring any “certified to travel to the US” bulbs from Holland. The customs will turn your luggage inside out even if you present the bulbs to them and say there are none in the suitcase. This time, we were smart - the customs agents had zero interest in the suitcase of wine we were bringing!
It’s not really that you’re mingling with peons; it’s that the bags are going to come down when they come down, and it really doesn’t matter if you zip through or you stand in line, if when you are done with immigration, the bags still haven’t come down!
@toledo, security lines in Terminal 2 (Southwest, Sun Country, etc) in Minneapolis are not bad, it is a smaller terminal. Lines in Terminal 1 can be just awful. I’ve waited over an hour (before this summer) several times in the TSA lines in Terminal 1.
"It’s not really that you’re mingling with peons; it’s that the bags are going to come down when they come down, and it really doesn’t matter if you zip through or you stand in line, if when you are done with immigration, the bags still haven’t come down! "
Lol, that’s exactly what I meant, Pizzagirl. It was a joke. So in that case, the GE folks had already been standing for 5 minutes waiting for their bags before we came down to the carousel, and then we all milled around the carousel for 20 minutes or so waiting for our bags. I’m sure it is the same way at many other airports. I have always managed to get through the Customs faster than my bags! Someone has to sniff those suitcases before they get tossed on the belt, and that is the bottleneck.
TSA etc. need to learn from supply chain pros, but unless the airlines raise a stink, no one is going to do anything about long lines. The pax always adapt and will keep coming earlier… More business to the airport either way, whether it is from landing fees or concession fees.
We both updated our new passport numbers online on the GOES (Global Entry) website. It’s been working fine.
Oh well, our HI office insisted I come in with the new passport, so I did.
OMG… All Nippon Airways has washlet toilet seats in their lavs in Economy Class on the plane I’m on. Over the top! (Or maybe under the bottom?)
Sorry about the segue. Carry on.
Well, the topic was timely. I just printed boarding passes for a family trip leaving tomorrow. I was concerned that hooking multiple family members without PreCheck or Global Entry to the reservation in my name might cause TSA PreCheck to be denied. But, we are in luck! Of course, in order to avoid rush hour traffic, we will still be arriving at the airport 3 hours in advance of a domestic flight. At least these days there are lots of breakfast places.
I just renewed my global entry (expires in Oct) but it says I have to check in periodically at the GOES site. Really? They couldn’t just send me an email when it’s approved? I still am unclear whether renewal requires a re-interview. None of my info has changed.
10 minutes in STL with pre-pass, would have been 8 if the passenger in front of me had removed his metal bracelet before the fourth time through. No need to re-do security in Detroit, even for international. We win the TSA lottery!
Don’t you hate when people wear things that are a “duh” will cause problems in security?