In short, the TSA states: “To receive TSA PreCheck, you must include your Known Traveler Number (your CBP PASSID for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI members) in the appropriate field of your airline reservation, and the TSA PreCheck® indicator must be displayed on the boarding pass to access the lanes.”
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Boarding passesIf you're eligible for TSA PreCheck, your boarding pass will show TSA PreCheck. If you add your KTN after checking in, you'll need to get a new boarding pass.
?? Pro tip: Memorize your KTN, and add it to all your airline company profiles. You can always call your airlines directly and ask them to add your KTN to any existing reservations.
You can also update existing reservations with your TSA PreCheck number. Go to Edit Traveler Information in the Manage Reservations section on the website, at an airport kiosk or in the United app.
If you don't find out about the missing PreCheck designation until you're at the airport, take your boarding pass back to the airline check-in counter and ask them to add your KTN to your itinerary — even if you think it's not worth the trouble at that point.
Because not all airlines participate in the program, if you book on a non-TSA PreCheck carrier (not all international airlines are TSA PreCheck partners) you will still have to go through the regular security line—which is why some frequent travelers also opt to purchase a Clear membership.
It's a common question: If I have TSA PreCheck, does my wife or husband need it? The answer is yes. If you have TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass and your spouse doesn't, or vice versa, you cannot go through the TSA PreCheck lane together. Period.
Some airports have Security Checks while entering the Departure Gate. So once you pass through airport security, you might have to do that again before boarding as well (depends on the airport). There is no other Airport Security check once you are already in the terminal, finding Boarding Gate.
Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Air Force Academy and Merchant Marine Academy. Passengers 12 and younger traveling with an eligible passenger. Passengers who are selected using existing Secure Flight system requirements while traveling on participating airlines.
Actually, they hand out “freebies” pretty commonly, and some passengers say that they usually get it once every few flights. So if you want to increase the chances of randomly getting TSA PreCheck, you must travel more frequently, and you must appear as a “safe” passenger.
Usually, no, but there are exceptions. These include allowances for the following types of guests who don't have their own TSA PreCheck membership: spouses, children, those with a disability, and active military personnel.
TSA PreCheck™ lets you leave your shoes, belt, and light jacket on while you go through security. You can also leave your laptop and your liquids in your bag.