The TSA doesn’t make it a secret that it wants Americans (as well as people from a handful of other countries) to join TSA PreCheck. And no wonder – since members are vetted before they get access to the program, it means they’re considered a “trusted traveler.” The more trusted travelers there are on planes, the safer planes would statistically be.
TSA PreCheck isn’t just convenient for the U.S. government as a way to hopefully increase safety; it’s also super convenient for those who use it:
- You get to go on a dedicated queue that’s nearly always significantly shorter than the “regular” queue
- You don’t have to take off your shoes, belt or light jacket
- You don’t have to remove your electronics or bag o’ liquids from your carry-on/personal bags
- As of a recent change, children age 17 and under can go through the PreCheck line with their parent or guardian who have PreCheck status
The government’s push for people to get TSA PreCheck has grown over time. In recent years, they have suggested getting it because it’s easier/faster than getting Global Entry (which requires an interview; it can take months to find an open slot to schedule an interview, although there are workarounds). No wonder that by March 2023, 15 million people had gotten TSA PreCheck since the program’s inception in December 2013!
To their credit, besides pushing for people to get TSA PreCheck, the government has tried to make it easier for people to sign up.
Idemia has offered TSA PreCheck enrollment centers for years. Years ago (like, circa 2018!!!), they partnered with Staples to help people get their PreCheck applications done quickly and easily. However I guess the more enrollment locations there are across the country, the better.
WIth that, about a week ago, TSA announced that it’s expanding TSA PreCheck with Telos Corporation, a cybersecurity company founded in 1969, with its headquarters in Ashburn, VA. Wikipedia says that, “Telos primarily serves government and enterprise clients, receiving a large number of its contracts from the United States Department of Defense,” which would explain why there’s now a tie-in with TSA PreCheck.
Anyway, they’re now offering TSA PreCheck enrollment services at 10 locations around the country. (I know, it’s not a whole lot…but hey, it’s a start)
“TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that improves overall aviation security and provides time and convenience benefits to its members,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “This expansion of enrollment providers will increase the network of locations where applicants may go to complete their TSA PreCheck membership.”
“Telos is excited to make TSA PreCheck enrollments accessible to more people where they live, work and shop with the launch of Telos as an authorized enrollment provider,” said Telos Chief Executive Officer John B. Wood.
Telos began enrolling its first applicants during trial periods in Annapolis, Md., Chantilly, Va., Ashburn, Va. and Las Vegas. They say the company will continue to expand enrollment services nationally, offering new convenient locations with expanded hours of operation. So yep, looks as if they’ll expand.
Moving forward, TSA PreCheck members may renew their memberships online with Telos or IDEMIA (TSA PreCheck’s original enrollment provider), regardless of who they enrolled with initially.
You can find your nearest TSA PreCheck enrollment center on this page of TSA’s website.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
Just be aware of the fact that the main purpose that the government wants you to apply for TSA Precheck is to run a criminal background check on you and to find out who you are in many ways. It’s part of Homeland Security. Then you get your freebies if approved. I do not have a criminal background and have dual citizenship but I was not approved for ‘Global Entry.’ I wonder why, but they don’t tell you even if you ask.