We’ve never signed up for TSA Pre, yet we’ve almost always gotten it for the last 4 years. We just recently moved and I wondered if that would affect our getting it. I flew last week and on my outbound flight didn’t get it, so I figured the change of address was the reason. But then on my return flight, I got it. I did fly different airlines on those flights, so that was probably more the reason (airrline’s discretion) than the change of address.
If I flew 5 times a year which is 10 flights, that’s under $2 a flight for TSA precheck. I would give up my Diet Coke or coffee in the airport for that! I actually fly much, much more than that, and while it isn’t always perfect, it has saved my butt a few times. I despise having to take off shoes and unpack electronics, and just being in the line where no one else has to do that either is wonderful!
When I was at an engineering conference in Chicago last month, I met a nice woman. We shared Uber to the airport, then realized our flights were taking off from adjacent gates. We decided to go through security together and then have lunch before our flights departed. I had Precheck and she didn’t. I breezed through, but it took her at least 15 minutes. Made me thankful for Precheck!
Wife and I don’t have the paid TSA precheck but we seem to get it 75% of the time anyway.We have flown quite a bit in the last year and haven’t felt the need to pay for it. A couple of times one of us had Precheck and the other didn’t. First time I said, ok, we both will just go through the regular line together. Now, if one has it and the other doesn’t it’s, too bad,see you later! one goes through the regular line and the one with precheck uses it and waits.
But here’s the thing. If you are thinking about safety, security, catching bad things, subjecting one population to less rigorous screening - If you randomly assign a person TSA precheck even one time, why not give it to them every time? Makes no sense to me the way they do it.
I tried to sign D up for GE last summer, but the wait for an interview in the Boston area and anyplace within reasonable driving distance was many many months. She ended up getting Precheck because of the timing.
ORD had next day interviews in almost every time slot last week for GE.
I have GE but the last time I flew the couple in front of me took off their, coats, belts, shoes, etc. There was no one there to yell at them.
^^^ I flew within Australia last month. To my surprise, the 40ish age Aussie man in front of him took off his shoes. I asked, “Do we take off shoes in this country?” He said, “No, but I have a titanium knee and I know what is coming.” Sure enough, he had an extra exam. I doubt that this was going on with your couple, but who knows?
If you go thru TSA Security at ORD terminal 5, there is generally no dedicated GE/PreCheck line. If you want your privileges, you have to make a point of telling the personnel and show the PreCheck boarding pass. Even then, you still wait with the mobs of others.
Here are some sample appointment availability times at major locations for Global Entry, just to see how far out things are with appointments. This is as of today, 12/5, 10:45am PT. This is for full days only, many locations have onesie cancellations where you can sneak in, which I am not including:
ATL - Jan 22
BOS Logan - Jan 5
DEN - April 1
DFW - almost immediately
DTW - immediate
IAD - Dec 26
JFK - immediate
LAS - sporadic, but almost immediate
LAX - 12’26-1/11, nothing after that
IAH - Jan 10
MIA - immediate
ORD - Dec 10
PHL- Dec 20, but partial slots available almost immediately
SEA - January 15-Jan 31, then nothing after that
SFO - January 22
Lol, Denver. Maybe they have one person and that person is out on leave?
There are sometimes non-airport offices (typically US customs and border patrol) that you can enroll at, too. Most in/near major cities.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-centers
Ditto for TSA Pre-check enrollment
@martharap I feel your pain. Two fake hips that set off the metal detector here as well. I have GE and precheck and have always received TSA Pre on my boarding pass, but can’t get through quickly due to the hips. I do get to keep my shoes on and to cut in the regular line, but there is always a delay.
The fun of explaining fake, metal body parts in foreign airports is an added bonus…one time a security agent insisted I “just take them out.”
Regarding Denver and appointments for GE–I know several people in this area who have taken very cheap flights to Phoenix, done the GE interview, and flown back to DEN the same day. The long waits have been going on for at least two years.
An advantage to Global Entry is an often a much quicker entrance from abroad via kiosk that checks fingerprints for customs in US airports. Usually the line is much shorter (or non-existent) and gets you out of the airport faster. Likely to change as more people have it. Helps when you’ve had a long trip.
Like many other posters here, I’ve frequently gotten randomly assigned TSA Pre-Check tickets although I’ve never enrolled in the program. That could be about to change, however. In September, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would limit Pre-Check to people who are officially enrolled with TSA. As far as I know, the Senate hasn’t acted on the bill yet, but it sailed through the House with strong bipartisan support, so it might not be a controversial bill. If it doesn’t pass in this year’s lame duck session, it will probably be back next session.
A cynic might say Members of Congress just want shorter Pre-Check lines as they scurry back and forth between DC and their districts. But I won’t go there.
Post #52 - yes, that’s a wonderful advantage. We skipped a very long line in Boston in July. 
You can get a GE appointment tomorrow in Calais, Maine. It’s a haul, though.
Re #52 - speed of GE entries - In my experience, there is an advantage only if you don’t check luggage. I come through immigration/customs about every other month. When I have no luggage, which is 90 % of the time, I often beat the flight crew out the door. I certainly know I am among the very first through from my flight. However, if I have checked bags, even Business Class priority, I’m with the non-GE travelers from my plane when it actually comes down to setting foot on the other side of the arrivals door. Of course, my experience in re-entry is limited to O’Hare. Other airports may have faster luggage claims.
Post #52 - yes, that’s a wonderful advantage. We skipped a very long line in Boston in July. I got luggage quickly.
I fly only 1-2x a year, but I still have TSA. I may fly with others have TSA, so it makes it easier if we are in the same line.
^^^ DH has always received PreCheck when on the reservation with me. I’ve had the same experience flying with a young adult son on one reservation. Neither has PreCheck or high status Frequent Flyer status. I may be lucky!