PreCheck is getting even more popular, according to the Transportation Safety Administration, which says it’s now available to 32 million travelers who are able to use PreCheck lanes at airports, take less out of their carry-ons and keep their shoes on among other benefits.
Fifteen million of those travelers applied directly through the PreCheck program, which now costs $78 to join for five years and $70 to renew. The others got their PreCheck enrollment through membership in the Department of Homeland Security’s other ‘trusted traveler’ programs—Global Entry, Sentri and NEXUS.
Although applying requires an in-person interview and background check, TSA says the processing times have become much faster, and most get their Known Traveler Number within 3 to 5 days after interview. Appointment waiting times, however, especially for Global Entry, have recently been long, perhaps reflecting increased applications; TSA says 19,200 people, a record, applied on Feb. 21 alone.
