TSA PreCheck is one of the innovations in the past decade that has made the airport experience significantly better. Maybe this is obvious to some, but in this post I wanted to cover how to easily check whether a TSA PreCheck lane is open or not based on when you’re traveling.
In this post:
TSA PreCheck checkpoint schedule
The TSA’s website has a handy tool that will give you the schedule for various PreCheck checkpoints. Using the tool is easy — you just have to select the airport, the day of the week, and the time you’re traveling.
As you’ll see, when you select the airport, day, and time, you’ll see all the TSA PreCheck checkpoints that are open. If a checkpoint isn’t listed, you can assume it’s closed at that time.
For example, pulling up LAX for 5-6AM on Monday, you’ll see that TSA PreCheck checkpoints are available in all terminals, except Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), since it’s not listed.
Enrolling in TSA PreCheck is easy, and keep in mind that there are many credit cards that reimburse your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership fee.
Is it important to know TSA PreCheck hours in advance?
I find TSA PreCheck to be a huge timesaver, as lanes are almost always shorter than the standard security lines. So I think it’s always worth knowing in advance whether a checkpoint will be available, so you can time how early you should get to the airport.
While CLEAR can also save you time at security (and it’s a complement to TSA PreCheck, rather than a substitute), I don’t find the time savings to be as consistent.
TSA PreCheck has expanded nicely over the years, and nowadays you’ll find that there’s generally a PreCheck lane when a particular checkpoint is open. However, there are exceptions, especially at smaller airports, and in terminals with quiet periods during certain parts of the day.
A few other things to keep in mind when it comes to using TSA PreCheck:
- If a TSA PreCheck lane isn’t open but you have TSA PreCheck, you’ll generally be given a card that allows you to keep on your shoes and go through the metal detector rather than the full body scanner, while still using the “standard” lane
- Even if you have TSA PreCheck, you may not always be eligible to use it; this is especially true if you have “SSSS” on your boarding pass, as you’ll then be subjected to additional screening
Bottom line
TSA PreCheck is a fantastic program that can save you a lot of time at the airport. TSA PreCheck is available on a widespread basis nowadays, though not all checkpoints have TSA PreCheck lanes all hours of the day. Therefore it’s always useful to know before you head to the airport whether you can expect to have PreCheck or not.
If you have TSA PreCheck, what has your experience been with expedited airport security?
CVG on Monday 12/19/22 closed security check point was closed early. Me and two other passengers that I know of were not able to get their flights. No remedy was offered.
Linda L Schuurman
937 266-1618
the “tool” that you link to is helpful to a point. you have to select a one hour time increment which is too large and increment. it needs to be at least every half hour, if not 15 minutes. I had a 5am flight from ATL this morning (12/22/22). on site TSA staff first told us that precheck opened at 4 only to find out at 4:10 it opened at 4:30 am. I stayed on...
the “tool” that you link to is helpful to a point. you have to select a one hour time increment which is too large and increment. it needs to be at least every half hour, if not 15 minutes. I had a 5am flight from ATL this morning (12/22/22). on site TSA staff first told us that precheck opened at 4 only to find out at 4:10 it opened at 4:30 am. I stayed on the precheck line at 3:30 am because the general line was so long I honestly didn’t think i’d make it thru in that half hour so decided to wait. what a cluster. I made it because my flight left out of T gates.
I'm disappointed in TSA PreCheck in BWI & Atlanta. Why pay for PreCheck to have to still go through General Screening for 45mins -1hr ...... There should be a special line even in General Screening for PreCheck customers. ( BWI December 8-Atlanta 11 2022)
TSA screening, not accurate, ome person on duty says you dont have to take out shoes, because you age facyer. But when you proceeded the next staff says no you have take out the shoes. The person who has lots of fat on stomach and has pace maker,stants, they should be allowed for manual screening if it is requred. Otherwise when that goes through scan machine, latter pulled out checked physically with hands on lower...
TSA screening, not accurate, ome person on duty says you dont have to take out shoes, because you age facyer. But when you proceeded the next staff says no you have take out the shoes. The person who has lots of fat on stomach and has pace maker,stants, they should be allowed for manual screening if it is requred. Otherwise when that goes through scan machine, latter pulled out checked physically with hands on lower body. What should be the best management procedure, in this case?
I'm sitting at terminal A jet blue at Newark right now. There was no precheck or tsa line today and everyone was thrown in one line. It took an hour to get through the security and baggage check. There was no special line for us even though we did everything to expedite our arrival to get through the terminal quickly. It was a complete mess and it seemed like a lot of staff were incompetent...
I'm sitting at terminal A jet blue at Newark right now. There was no precheck or tsa line today and everyone was thrown in one line. It took an hour to get through the security and baggage check. There was no special line for us even though we did everything to expedite our arrival to get through the terminal quickly. It was a complete mess and it seemed like a lot of staff were incompetent today. Everything took so much time.
Warning give yourself an extra hour today. Many people were missing there flights and in a panic. Today was the worst experience and I travel often. I have never seen such a mess like today. Very disappointed. Thankfully my flight was delayed or I would have been late to my gate even though I luckily left myself extra time today. I think ysa should send a warning about days like today. The check your tsa site says it's open at terminal a but it's about an hour wait time with no tsa precheck privileges today except not removing you shoes. Ridiculous
How do you get your global entry number on your ticket for TSA PreCheck?
@ Dana Rheinschmidt -- You'll want to attach your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your airline ticket, and then you should automatically get TSA PreCheck. Your Known Traveler Number should be on your Global Entry card, or can be accessed through your online account with the program.
I love TSA pre check! I was going to do Global check but it was going to take too long. I literally filled out the TSA application, allocated an appointment time within 48 hours and then had the pre Check number within 48 of that Appt at a Staples!! Have had 4 flights since then, all lanes open, no shoes off and no pat downs, fantastic!
What about the my TSA app that has all this information where your fingertips and actually shows the location in the airport for every check-in lane for every PreCheck, and waiting times ...at every airport????
Duh
I think it is a great timesaver in the large airports like Newark, my departure site. Not having the added hassle is definitely worth the money. I have it with Global Entry. I recommend this for all travelers.
TSA PreCheck is very convenient - unfortunately, we do not have it in Europe.
Anyway, Munich airport bought 60 CT Scanners and beginning April 2023 there will be no restrictions on liquids in hand luggage and computers can stay inside the carry-on. This will speed up the the security lines significantly.
In the UK, Airport security rules on liquids and laptops could be lifted in UK in 2024 by also installing CT scanners.
(And...
TSA PreCheck is very convenient - unfortunately, we do not have it in Europe.
Anyway, Munich airport bought 60 CT Scanners and beginning April 2023 there will be no restrictions on liquids in hand luggage and computers can stay inside the carry-on. This will speed up the the security lines significantly.
In the UK, Airport security rules on liquids and laptops could be lifted in UK in 2024 by also installing CT scanners.
(And I always thought its some international aviation safety rule that we just have to follow. Its interesting to see if Munich really can decide on its own to allow liquids)
And here I always assumed that nations set their own rules for their airport security theater.