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Waiting in lines is the best part of travel, right? Um no. It’s one of the reasons I have a job. While I can, and do, spend many hours waiting on hold for my clients, I can’t wait in that line at airport security for them.
Thankfully, there are lots of options for getting through airport security faster.
TSA Precheck works for US domestic travelers and costs $85 for 5 years. Passengers enrolled in this program don’t need to remover their shoes, computer, etc. when going through the screening process. If you think you might take one international trip, you should apply for Global Entry, which includes TSA Precheck.
For only $15 more, you can also get the benefits of the Global Entry program which will help expedite your customs processing on return from international travel. The lines for Global Entry kiosks are often shorter and, even when your bags are the last ones off the conveyer belt, there’s often a shorter line for you to exit (best feeling ever)! Please note that while children are included with their parents TSA pre-check, they need their own Global Entry membership.
I just tried out Clear at Newark airport over the holidays and it was pretty great (*UPDATE…Follow this link for 2 months free by entering promocode TzellMelissa). The wait for an attendant to help us complete enrollment was a bit annoying but I assume this will be faster on our next trip (I’ll report back)! They have lanes for passengers who only have Clear and for passengers who have both Clear and TSA Precheck. Many people have Precheck these days or some airports don’t have special lanes for them. While passengers may be able to complete their actual screening faster, the line to get to that quicker screening may still be longer than you’d like.
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear, all have fees to cover 1-5 years. A credit to reduce or entirely pay for these enrollment fees is a part of many credit card benefits. Frequent flyer programs also offer discounts to help make them more affordable.
VirtuaLine programs have been expanding to a few cities across the country after a steady start to the pilot program in Seattle. This program allows passengers to schedule a 15-30 minute window to go through security. You can register for a slot beginning 72 hours prior to your flight. Best of all, it’s free! While there is no charge, it’s only available at certain times of day and sometimes only at certain terminals. Hopefully this will continue to rollout nationwide but we’ll keep an eye on it.
There are often VIP meet and greet services that can help expedite you though customs. While it may be affordable in some international destinations, it often comes with a hefty price tag in the US. Services like this are also helpful when trying to make a tight connection and the added step of Covid paperwork approval.
Have a relative that needs a wheelchair but doesn’t want to admit it? Maybe you can entice them to use it on your next family trip by reminding them that you get to jump to the front of the check in and security line with a wheelchair passenger. This is why there are twice as many wheelchairs to get on the plane to Florida but much less on arrival (they don’t want to be the last ones off, of course). Haha.
Safe Travels!