Jazmin Li
TSA PreCheck is a service that allows low-risk travellers to have a smoother experience at airport security checkpoints. While TSA PreCheck is available to all travellers, including children, it is generally recommended for those who routinely travel alone. When travelling with family, children under 18 are usually eligible for TSA PreCheck if their parent or guardian has it. However, this is not always guaranteed, and there have been reports of children being turned away at security and directed to the standard screening process. For travellers 75 and older, expedited screening is available through risk-based intelligence-driven security, which allows for a more efficient allocation of resources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is there an upper age limit for TSA PreCheck? | No. |
| Do people aged 79 and above need to apply for TSA PreCheck? | No, they can enjoy expedited screening without having to apply separately. |
| What documents do they need to present at TSA PreCheck? | A valid identification document, such as a driver's license or passport. It is advisable to carry a government-issued photo ID. |
| Can they use TSA PreCheck with a companion? | No, TSA PreCheck benefits cannot be extended to companions or family members who do not have their own TSA PreCheck designation. |
| Can children use TSA PreCheck? | Yes, children qualify for TSA PreCheck at any age. Children under 12 can use the benefits when travelling with an enrolled parent or guardian. Children under 18 can use the TSA PreCheck lane if they have their own membership. |
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What You'll Learn
TSA PreCheck for children
Generally, children do not need to apply for TSA PreCheck unless they routinely travel alone. When travelling as a family, children aged 17 and under are eligible for TSA PreCheck without needing their own Known Traveller Number (KTN). The child does not need to have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass to accompany their parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lane. However, if the child is on a separate airline reservation, they will need their own KTN to get TSA PreCheck.
To get the TSA PreCheck indicator on a child's boarding pass, the adult and child must be on the same airline reservation, and the adult's boarding pass must have the TSA PreCheck indicator. If the child does not have their own KTN, do not enter one for them on the reservation; leave the KTN field blank.
Unaccompanied minors without an adult escort in the TSA PreCheck lanes must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. Contact the airline for questions regarding their specific ID requirements for travellers under 18.
Passengers aged 75 and over can receive some form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security. This allows the TSA to better focus its resources on passengers who are more likely to pose a risk.
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TSA PreCheck for adults
TSA PreCheck is a program that expedites the security screening process for travellers at participating airports within the United States. U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and citizens of partner countries enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI are eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck. Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS are also eligible.
To enrol in TSA PreCheck, individuals must submit an application and set up an appointment. Adults 18 and older must have their own Known Traveller Number (KTN) and enter it when booking their airline reservation.
When travelling as a family, children 17 and under are not required to have their own KTN and can accompany their parents in the TSA PreCheck lane as long as the adult's boarding pass has the TSA PreCheck indicator. However, if the child is on a separate airline reservation, they will not be able to use the TSA PreCheck lane unless they have their own KTN.
Unaccompanied minors without an adult escort in the TSA PreCheck lanes must show acceptable identification to receive expedited screening.
It is important to note that TSA PreCheck benefits do not apply to gate passes, and passengers with gate passes will be directed to standard screening regardless of membership status. Additionally, there are no specific senior rules that allow non-PreCheck passengers to enter the dedicated PreCheck lane. However, some airports run blended lanes, combining PreCheck and standard lanes, which would allow passengers with different screening statuses to go through together, with each passenger receiving their respective screening type.
For individuals 75 and older, some form of expedited screening is available through risk-based, intelligence-driven security measures. These individuals may keep their shoes on during screening and can request to be seated during the process.
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TSA PreCheck eligibility
TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveller program that allows eligible travellers to undergo expedited screening at participating US airports. It is important to note that eligibility for TSA PreCheck is determined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on a flight-by-flight basis, and there is no guarantee that a passenger will benefit from it even if they are enrolled in the program.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: While there is no explicit age criterion for TSA PreCheck, children under 18 are generally eligible if they are travelling with an enrolled adult. Children who routinely travel alone should enrol in TSA PreCheck or another DHS Trusted Traveller Program.
- Citizenship: Applicants must provide proof of citizenship or immigration status during enrolment.
- Name: The name provided during enrolment must match the name on the identification documents and airline travel reservations exactly.
Enrolment Process:
To enrol in TSA PreCheck, applicants must complete the following steps:
- Review the eligibility requirements for the various DHS Trusted Traveller Programs (TSA PreCheck Application Program, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI) and determine the best program for their needs.
- Submit an application and pay the associated fee, which covers operational costs and maintains eligibility for five years.
- Provide the necessary identification and citizenship/immigration documents for vetting.
- Protect personal data by opting in or out of marketing communications and ensuring that their information is encrypted, stored, and transmitted securely.
After enrolling, most applicants receive their Known Traveller Number (KTN) in 3-5 days, although some applications may take up to 60 days. This KTN must be entered when booking an airline reservation to be eligible for TSA PreCheck screening.
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TSA PreCheck lane access
While I could not find information specifically about 79-year-olds and TSA PreCheck lane access, I did find some general information about the TSA PreCheck lane.
The TSA PreCheck lane provides expedited screening for travellers at select airports. To access the TSA PreCheck lane, travellers must meet certain eligibility criteria and have their Known Traveller Number (KTN) displayed on their boarding pass. This is indicated by a TSA PreCheck indicator on the pass.
Eligibility
Travellers aged 18 and over must have their own KTN and enter it when booking their reservation. Children under 18 are also eligible for TSA PreCheck screening if they meet certain criteria. If a child is on the same reservation as an eligible adult and the adult's boarding pass has the TSA PreCheck indicator, the child does not need the indicator on their own pass to accompany the adult in the TSA PreCheck lane. However, if the child is on a separate reservation, they will need their own KTN to access the lane.
Identification Requirements
Unaccompanied minors in the TSA PreCheck lane must present an acceptable form of ID to receive expedited screening. If you are escorting a child with a gate pass, you will be directed to standard screening, as TSA PreCheck benefits do not apply to gate passes.
Availability
The availability of TSA PreCheck lanes varies across airports and is subject to change based on operational needs. Travellers can check the schedule online or contact AskTSA for more information. If a TSA PreCheck lane is unavailable, travellers can still receive expedited screening in a standard lane by presenting their TSA PreCheck boarding pass.
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TSA PreCheck for international travel
TSA PreCheck® is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Traveler Program that provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. airports. This means that passengers can enjoy a faster and more convenient security screening process when travelling from a U.S. airport.
To be eligible for TSA PreCheck®, passengers must be travelling on an airline that has partnered with the TSA to offer this service. Most applicants receive their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days.
Children 17 and under are also eligible for TSA PreCheck® screening if certain criteria are met. Children travelling alone must enrol in TSA PreCheck® or another DHS Trusted Traveler Program. Unaccompanied minors must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening.
While TSA PreCheck® is available for flights departing from the U.S., it is not applicable for international travellers entering the U.S. Instead, international travellers entering the U.S. can enrol in Global Entry, another DHS Trusted Traveler Program. Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travellers entering the country and members also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits when departing from U.S. airports. If you travel internationally four or more times a year, Global Entry is recommended.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, passengers 75 and older can receive some form of expedited screening.
TSA PreCheck provides low-risk travelers with a smoother experience at airport security checkpoints.
To get TSA PreCheck, you must include your Known Traveler Number in the appropriate field of your airline reservation.
Generally, children do not need to apply for TSA PreCheck unless they routinely travel alone. Children 17 and under are eligible for TSA PreCheck when traveling with an adult who has it.
