Many clients have asked me if they should enroll in TSA Pre✓ to save time at the airport. Here’s the scoop:

TSA requires a physical visit to their centers – the closest center in the bay area is Stockton, if you live in the Los Angeles area, it is in Glendale.

If you enroll in the Global Entry program at SFO or LAX (http://www.globalentry.gov/enrollmentcenters.html), or a major airport near your home, once accepted and enrolled, enter your Known Traveler Number (Global Entry) to all of your airline accounts. In looking at your airline account online, the category for adding your number to your profile is usually the box: KNOWN TRAVELER NUMBER.

When you reserve a flight, your Known Traveler Number will automatically embed in your boarding pass. The embedded number in your boarding pass indicates to TSA that you are a trusted traveler via the Global Entry program – it does NOT make you an instant member of TSA. As a security measure, the system is set up to randomly not embed it in your boarding pass.

If you physically check in luggage with a gate agent, ask them to confirm that your Known Traveler Number (Global Entry)  is imbedded in your boarding pass.

I find it is always best to ask the security agent do you have a TSA or Global Entry line, as all the airports are not set up with 100% accuracy yet. Pass through a special security line wearing shoes and jacket, avoid the laptop and liquid removal and the scanner.  This applies to domestic travel only, international has not been added yet and it does not help you once out of the U.S.

I feel Global Entry is more advantageous as it also provides a very quick no line return when entering the U.S. from a foreign country AND the TSA advantage – without having to go to Stockton or Glendale for a TSA interview. Global Entry on U.S. return is a self-service kiosk, no lines, pass by immigration with your printed document and you depart customs in 5 minutes.

The TSA system is new to many airports and in my experience, it is NOT perfect- imagine each airport and the random sense of rules everywhere – I feel once it becomes a standard, it will be consistent.

See note from TSA: If you are eligible for TSA Pre✓™ as a trusted traveler who has been assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN), such as through a membership with U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s (CBP) Global Entry or NEXUS, you will continue to experience the same screening benefits at the security checkpoint. Current trusted travelers will not be required to apply for or to obtain a separate membership; the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program is simply a new method for U.S. citizens to participate in TSA Pre✓™, particularly for those who do not have a passport or do not intend to travel internationally.

As a trusted traveler, you should continue to make your reservations in the same manner and ensure that your KTN is included in the KTN field of all reservations. In addition, verify that your name, date of birth (DOB), and any other identifying information submitted on your reservation is an exact match to the information that is on file with CBP or your agency. If any of this information is not an exact match, you may not receive TSA Pre✓™ consideration.

Although TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport, this initiative is part of the agency’s efforts to implement risk-based concepts to enhance aviation security and allow expedited screening for low-risk passengers at the security checkpoint. For more information about the TSA Pre✓™ Application Program, please visit TSA’s Web site at www.tsa.gov.