TSA Precheck and Chronic Illness…

When I was 10 years old, my older sister and I went on our first airline flight without my parents. We were on our way to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousin who lived just a short 4 hour plane ride away. I loved flying, but even more, I loved the idea of flying parent-less.

As we boarded the plane, airline staff sat us next to another young girl about our age who was also flying alone for the first time. She wasn’t quite as excited to be traveling without adult supervision and had been crying for her parents. Back then I was a talker, so I began talking to the girl to make her more comfortable. I made the mistake of asking what she did for fun. As she rambled on about her love for the New Kids on the Block, it was only then that the whole picture came into focus and I realized she was wearing a NKOTB hat, t-shirt, shorts, and her shoes had tiny photos of all the band members. She even had a New Kids on the Block backpack. I started to feel like I was in some kind of horror movie where NKOTB paraphernalia was attempting to swallow her whole.

Friends, my friendly “girl next door” look may be deceiving, but boy bands have never been my thing. I’m a rocker through and through. There are few topics I find less interesting than boy bands. But I knew this girl was scared and fragile, so I pretended to love NKOTB, too. She didn’t seem to notice that I gave generic answers to all her New Kids questions. My favorite song was their newest one, my favorite New Kid was “the cute one”, and all my NKOTB gear was conveniently back at home in my bedroom. So for the duration of the flight I endured endless New Kids chatter . For three-and-a-half hours.

Shortly after that my hatred of flying began.

Flying with a Chronic Illness

Air travel is difficult for most chronic illness sufferers, regardless of whether you have to endure untold hours of boy band trivia. I have provided tips on how to secure a wheelchair at the airport in the past, but for smaller airports and a shorter flight, I can mostly manage without hitching a ride. Except for the dreaded ticketing and security lines.

With postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), I won’t faint if I can keep moving. But when you can only manage to stand still for 5-10 minutes, a 45-minute security checkpoint line is a no-go. What I need is a system that drastically shortens the amount of time I spend standing in line.

For others, arthritis, balance issues, or severe pain can interfere with removing shoes or a jacket at a security checkpoint.

TSA Precheck

In a recent conversation surrounding the difficulty of flying for people with chronic illnesses, I was asked why I had not signed up for TSA Precheck. If you’re not familiar, TSA Precheck is a system offered by America’s Transportation Security Agency  (TSA) which allows pre-screened passengers to use a separate lines at airport security checkpoints. Because the passengers undergo a background check prior to Precheck approval and are considered low risk, they are not subject to the same rigorous security measures as ordinary passengers.

The Benefits of TSA Precheck

Using TSA Precheck provides numerous benefits for travelers:

1. Separate line at pre-security ID and ticket check that moves much faster.
2. No need to remove jacket, belt, or shoes at security checkpoint.
3. Laptop can remain in your computer case.
4. No need to remove approved liquids from carry-on.
5. Some airports only require you to go through a metal detector instead of the newer imaging machines.
6. Security lines move much faster due to all of the above.

How TO Sign Up for TSA Precheck

Signing up for TSA Precheck is surprisingly easy. A TSA Precheck passenger number costs $85.00 and is good for 5 years. To request a Known Traveler Number (KTN), first complete the TSA Precheck application. Once you have filled in the application, make an appointment with your local TSA Precheck office.

For your appointment you will need to bring identification documents, such as a driver’s license, birth certificate, and other form of ID if your current name is not the same as your birth name. The Precheck interviewer will take your fingerprints. My entire appointment lasted 5 minutes.

TSA will review your application and send your KTN within a few weeks. Next time you book a flight, you can enter your KTN and when you obtain your boarding pass at the airport, it will identify you as a TSA Precheck passenger. That’s it!

Signing up for TSA Precheck will subject you to a slight invasion of privacy, as they conduct a background check to determine your level of risk. If you have a violent or serious criminal history, that may affect your ability to receive TSA Precheck status. I should note, however, that I have two very minor criminal infractions on my record (just stupid kids stuff from almost 20 years ago) which did not affect my Precheck process.

If chronic illness makes navigating airports a challenge, signing up for TSA Precheck may ease the journey.

“A soul in tension that’s learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can’t keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit.” – Pink Floyd

Smell ya later.
– Linds