Is TSA PreCheck running? What travelers need to know amid the shutdown
TSA PreCheck was temporarily paused on Saturday night, leading to widespread confusion
JimMin
Travelers have been left confused after a partial reversal in the suspension of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck — here’s the current status of the scheme, which is used by around 20 million Americans.
On Saturday night, February 21, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that both TSA PreCheck, the airport security fast-track scheme, and Global Entry — which enables members to bypass processing lines at U.S. passport control — would be paused to save money during the partial government shutdown.
However, after fierce criticism from airlines and travel industry groups, including Airlines for America and the U.S. Travel Association, the TSA reversed course and announced that PreCheck — which enables members to go through security in the U.S. without removing shoes, belts, liquids, or laptops — would continue to function as normal.
The takeaway for travelers today is that PreCheck lanes are open, but because staff are working without pay during the ongoing shutdown, delays may occur if no-shows spike.
However, Global Entry, available at 62 U.S. airports, is still shuttered and will remain so until the shutdown ends, along with courtesy concierge escort services.
There are approximately 13 million travelers enrolled in the Global Entry program, which includes PreCheck as a perk. Instead of face-to-face checks with immigration officials after arriving from abroad, members check in at a “Global Entry Kiosk”, a process that can take as little as 60 seconds.
Chris Sununu, Airlines for America CEO, said on Sunday: “[Travelers are being] used as a political football amid another government shutdown.
“The announcement was issued with extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly, which is especially troubling at this time of record air travel.
“It’s past time for Congress to get to the table and get a deal done that ensures TSA can fully operate and their frontline employees can be paid for the important work they do to keep our skies secure.”
Funding for the DHS, which oversees the TSA, expired February 14, as Democrats in Congress pushed to impose new limitations on aggressive immigration enforcement after agents fatally shot U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good last month in Minnesota.
Officials in both parties blamed the other side for the shutdown.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Democrats of putting “politics over public safety.”
The airport security turmoil comes as the East Coast is blasted by a bomb cyclone, with more than 3,500 flights canceled across the U.S.
