TSA PreCheck offers a streamlined airport security experience, but sometimes, even with membership, you might not see the TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re expecting a quicker passage through security. A key component of your TSA PreCheck membership is your Known Traveler Number (KTN). If you’re wondering why your TSA PreCheck isn’t showing up, understanding your KTN and its status is the first step to resolving the issue.
One common reason you might not receive TSA PreCheck benefits is related to violations of federal security regulations. Actions such as assault or threats to flight crew, physical or sexual assault on an aircraft, interfering with security operations, access control breaches, providing false documents, making bomb threats, or bringing prohibited items like firearms or explosives to the airport or on a plane can lead to disqualification from expedited screening. The duration of this disqualification from TSA PreCheck is determined by the severity of the violation and any history of repeated offenses. First-time offenses can result in suspension for up to five years, while serious incidents or repeated violations may lead to permanent disqualification.
Furthermore, TSA PreCheck members are subject to ongoing criminal history checks. If new criminal records are reported to TSA during your membership, your TSA PreCheck eligibility may be temporarily suspended while TSA investigates. This investigation usually takes less than 30 days, but in some cases, it can extend up to 90 days. If a TSA PreCheck member is found to have committed a disqualifying offense, their enrollment could be temporarily suspended or permanently revoked, depending on the seriousness of the offense.
If you are unsure why you aren’t seeing the TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass, the first step is to verify that your TSA PreCheck membership is still active. You can easily check the status of your KTN here. This online tool will allow you to confirm if your membership is current. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the airline you are flying with participates in the TSA PreCheck program. You can find a list of participating airlines by clicking here.
If your KTN is active and your airline is a participant, the next step is to double-check with your airline that the KTN, your name, and date of birth are entered correctly in your flight reservation. Even a minor discrepancy in this information can prevent the TSA PreCheck indicator from appearing on your boarding pass.
Should you continue to experience issues with TSA PreCheck not appearing on your boarding pass after verifying these details, or if you have further questions about your TSA PreCheck status, TSA offers several avenues for assistance. You can reach out to AskTSA through various social media platforms such as X (Twitter @AskTSA) and Facebook Messenger (http://www.fb.com/AskTSA). For Apple users, Apple Business Chat is also an option (https://bcrw.apple.com/urn:biz:f6ea5e84-10e9-47ae-8aa5-774439d8fdc4). You can also text “Travel” to AskTSA at 275-872, contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673, or submit an online inquiry form (/contact/contact-forms). If you have received a notice of violation from TSA, it’s crucial to contact your assigned case agent directly for specific information regarding your situation.
It’s important to remember that TSA employs unpredictable security measures throughout airports, both visible and behind the scenes. While TSA PreCheck aims to expedite screening for eligible travelers, expedited screening is not guaranteed for any individual, and all travelers will undergo some form of security screening.
