I recently interviewed for a job that would involve some travel, and I decided if I was hired I would apply for a Known Travelers Number for TSA Pre-Check. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the job but I decided to apply for a KTN anyway. Even without the job, I'll be flying at least three times this year alone (or six flights / trips through airport security) so it seemed worth it.I wasn’t really sure what was involved, and as is my nature, I was very nervous. But it was really easy. First, I filled out the pre-application on-line and then booked my in-person appointment. I’m happy to say that the staff at the Application Center could not have been nicer. We simply went over the information I had submitted and they checked my passport. Then they took my fingerprints electronically. We laughed a bit when I admitted that I had expected ink pads and paper, like in the ‘70s cop dramas. Maybe I need to remember it’s 2016 and almost everything is done with computers these days.
Anyway, my clean, ink-free fingertips and I were finished in about 10 minutes or so. Once I paid my $85 fee, I was given a receipt with an id number so I could check on-line and see where my status stood. I was told I should see my KTN on-line in about a week and receive a confirmation in the mail in about a month. For me, who is a total goodie two shoes, my KTN was assigned by the following day!
Life with diabetes is full of hassles. For me, spending the $85 for 5 years of TSA Pre-Check is well worth the (hopefully) reduction in travel hassles it will bring. I’m excited to fly without being groped by a stranger first!
It probably won't take that long to get your KTN!
ReplyDeleteI got mine last year and it's been a huge help to my travel. I'm in the air 5-8 times a year between work and personal trips. It's nice to be able to keep everything in my bag and not deal with the judgement of other passengers, frustration of agents and overall ignorance of passenger rights have a pat down... not to mention no longer getting felt up by a stranger!
Some airports don't have the Pre-Check lines however and you can't take advantage of it if you're flying internationally unfortunately. I hope the program helps you out as much as it's helped me!
I totally thought this would be a good idea but I don't think we have such a thing in Australia...yet. It sounds brilliant, particularly if you travel a lot. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've had PreChek for a while through Delta and for some reason have never had to pay anything. I rarely fly other airlines and I suspect I would not get PreChek with them. Just know that occasionally you won't get PreChek and once in a while it's not available for any passengers. But it definitely makes diabetes easier because I just go through a metal detector and don't declare anything.
ReplyDeleteI recently travelled to the US from the UK. Although I am a frequent flyer (6 - 10 flights per year), it was my first trip with a pump. In my very small sample of experience, I would say that the UK treated the pump very differently to the Americans. In the UK, they recognised the pump for what it is, understood that I can remove it temporarily but not go through x-rays or body scanner. They respected my desire to see the pump at all times and swabbed the pump as I went through the scanner. IN the US, as you say, I had to be patted down with little respect for my personal dignity. As for the pump, they appeared to be petrified of it and would not touch it at all.
ReplyDeleteI will be back in the US later this year and hope my recent experience is isolated.
I am just seeing this blog now (sorry Karen) ... I have to agree with Helen above about how when flying within the USA area - that the treatment elsewhere in other countries that I fly in / out of - is much different then in your country of American. I am not sure if it's the training of American personnel, maybe their wages are not as good as in other countries as airport security, but I have to admit, if I can drive to my destination in the USA, I prefer it over flying. Any other country, I have no issue. Again, though, I think it depends on the knowledge of the TSA agent working at the airport, and maybe how their day is going (which it shouldn't alter how they treat a polite Canadian one bit ;) )
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to register! My son who is 21 and type 1 is in college 12 hours away and flies somewhat frequently. He's going on a study abroad this summer so when he flew home last week for spring break he mentioned that he should apply for it. I'll forward the link to him now! Thanks!
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