Westchester Airport: Tsa Precheck Availability And Benefits

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been working with the Westchester County Airport to provide a smoother experience for travellers. In 2024, the TSA announced a temporary TSA PreCheck® application centre at the airport, allowing residents of Westchester County to enrol in the program. The TSA PreCheck® program is a valuable travel option that expedites a traveller's security screening process, allowing them to keep their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, as well as their laptops and liquids. The program is available at over 200 airports and with approximately 100 airlines nationwide.

TSA PreCheck enrolment at Westchester County Airport

TSA PreCheck Enrollment at Westchester County Airport

Westchester County Airport (HPN) offers travelers the opportunity to enroll in the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck program. This program is designed to provide a faster and more convenient airport security screening process for travelers who are considered low-risk. With TSA PreCheck, enrolled travelers can save time by not having to remove their shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets when passing through designated TSA PreCheck security lanes.

Enrollment Process:

Enrollment for the TSA PreCheck program at Westchester County Airport is typically offered during specific time periods. In the past, the airport has hosted temporary "pop-up" enrollment centers for a limited time, such as a five-day enrollment period from August 5 to August 9. During these events, travelers can enroll in person by making an appointment online or walking in. The enrollment center is usually located in the terminal, either on the ground floor near the baggage claim area or in the third-floor observation lounge.

To enroll, applicants must provide proof of identity and citizenship. The enrollment fee is $78, and approved applicants receive a five-year membership with the program. It is recommended to pre-enroll online and select "White Plains, N.Y." as the enrollment site. After completing the pre-enrollment steps, applicants should choose the "Pop-up: HPN" option from the drop-down menu.

Benefits of TSA PreCheck:

TSA PreCheck is a valuable option for travelers seeking to streamline their airport experience. It is available at over 200 participating airports nationwide and is accepted by approximately 100 airlines. In January 2023, 92% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes to be screened, highlighting the efficiency and convenience of the program.

Benefits of TSA PreCheck

While it is not yet clear if Westchester Airport has TSA PreCheck, the airport did host a temporary "pop-up" enrollment center from August 5 to 9, 2024, where residents could enroll in the program.

Save Time and Avoid Stress

TSA PreCheck allows travelers to skip the often-dreaded long security lines at the airport. In January 2023, 92% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes to be screened. Even if you don't travel frequently, no one wants to spend their precious vacation time waiting in line at airport security.

Simplified Screening Process

Enrolled travelers don't need to remove their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets when going through security. This expedited screening process makes the airport experience much simpler and less stressful.

Wide Availability

TSA PreCheck is available at over 200 airports and with approximately 100 airlines across the nation. It is offered at all the major travel hubs, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Cost-Effectiveness

The enrollment cost for TSA PreCheck is $78 for a five-year membership. Additionally, some credit cards, such as certain airline credit cards and rewards cards, offer TSA PreCheck as a member benefit or allow cardholders to use their points to pay for enrollment.

Easy Enrollment

Enrolling in TSA PreCheck is a straightforward process that can be completed in three steps. First, submit your application online, then complete your enrollment in-person at a chosen provider, which includes fingerprinting, document verification, photo capture, and payment. The in-person appointment typically takes around 10 minutes, and you may be approved within a week.

Overall, TSA PreCheck is an excellent option for travelers looking to streamline their airport experience and save time, especially if they fly frequently within the United States.

TSA PreCheck eligibility

The TSA PreCheck® program is a valuable option for travellers that expedites the airport security checkpoint screening process. Members can save time by keeping their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, as well as keeping their laptops in their cases and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bags in their carry-on luggage.

To be eligible for the TSA PreCheck® program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Provide proof of identity and citizenship: You must provide an original or certified copy of identity/citizenship status documentation, such as an unexpired U.S. passport, unexpired enhanced tribal card (ETC), unexpired Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card, unexpired U.S. Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), or unexpired U.S. Enhanced Identification Card (EID). The name on your application must match exactly with the name on your identification and proof of citizenship/immigration documents.
• Enrolment fee: The enrolment fee for the TSA PreCheck® program is $78 for a five-year membership.
• Appointment: To enrol in the TSA PreCheck® program, you must make an appointment online and complete your enrolment in person or as a walk-in.
• Boarding pass: To access the TSA PreCheck® lane, you must have a valid boarding pass with the TSA PreCheck® indicator (such as TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA PreCheck®). You can ensure this by adding your Known Traveller Number (KTN) to your airline reservation while booking.

It is important to note that if you have violated certain federal security regulations, including TSA security regulations, your access to the TSA PreCheck® program may be suspended.

TSA security at Westchester County Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Westchester County Airport is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure travel experience for its passengers. To access departure gates, passengers must undergo security screening by TSA officers, who will inspect both the travellers and their carry-on baggage.

To enhance security and improve the efficiency of the screening process, the TSA at Westchester County Airport has recently introduced new credential authentication technology (CAT). These CAT units are designed to verify the identity of travellers by scanning their photo identification and confirming their flight details. The latest version, CAT-2, also captures a real-time photo of the traveller to match it with the photo on their ID, ensuring a touchless and secure verification process.

In addition to the standard security measures, Westchester County Airport offers TSA PreCheck enrolment, allowing travellers to expedite their security screening process. This program enables enrolled travellers to keep their shoes, light outerwear, belts, and laptops in their cases while carrying 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bags. The PreCheck enrolment costs \$78 and offers a five-year membership, providing a faster and more convenient airport experience.

To enrol in the TSA PreCheck program at Westchester County Airport, travellers can schedule a 10-minute appointment or walk in during the specified times. The enrolment centre is located on the ground floor near the baggage claim area, with signage indicating the location. The five-day enrolment period typically includes two time slots: 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For travellers seeking an even faster and more exclusive experience, CLEAR Plus membership is available. This optional service provides dedicated lanes at select airports, allowing members to bypass longer security lines and reach their gates more quickly.

TSA PreCheck application process

The TSA PreCheck program offers a valuable travel option that expedites a traveler’s airport security screening process. Members do not need to remove their shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets when going through separate TSA lines.

To apply for TSA PreCheck, follow the steps below:

• Visit the TSA website (tsa.gov/precheck) to select an enrollment provider with locations near you.
• Pre-enroll online and make an appointment for the in-person process, or walk into an enrollment center without an appointment.
• Complete the online application, which takes approximately five minutes.
• Finish the enrollment process in person, which includes providing biometric data (fingerprints and photos), verifying identity documents, and making a payment.
• Once approved, you will receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you can add to your airline reservations to start enjoying expedited security screenings.

The enrollment fee for TSA PreCheck is $78, and membership is valid for five years. Enrollment centers can be found at airports and other locations, with over 400 application centers available nationwide.

In August 2024, a temporary "pop-up" enrollment center was available at Westchester County Airport, allowing residents of Westchester County and surrounding areas to enroll in the TSA PreCheck program.

Frequently asked questions