3 hours and 27 minutes! Sounds like a long time doesn’t it?
Well, IT IS in all honesty. That time represents the amount of wait time my
family and I experienced when we took the plunge and signed up for the TSA Pre✓®
Program. I know that you are thinking… Was that the result of an appointment?
Of course not! I didn’t make one and thought that it was a good idea to just do
a walk-in. Smart idea? Nope, but at the end of the day, we were able to get
what we needed complete. You will be happy to know that once we went through
the process, everything went smoothly.
Well, IT IS in all honesty. That time represents the amount of wait time my
family and I experienced when we took the plunge and signed up for the TSA Pre✓®
Program. I know that you are thinking… Was that the result of an appointment?
Of course not! I didn’t make one and thought that it was a good idea to just do
a walk-in. Smart idea? Nope, but at the end of the day, we were able to get
what we needed complete. You will be happy to know that once we went through
the process, everything went smoothly.
 |
| Entrance to DFW Airport |
We decided a few weeks ago that it would be a good idea to go
through the process after seeing many news reports about the lines at airports
across the United States. To be honest, it put a fire under us to get it done
so that we would have a smaller chance of standing in lines that could potentially
be longer than normal. We are traveling in the summer, so this was really
important for us to follow through with.
through the process after seeing many news reports about the lines at airports
across the United States. To be honest, it put a fire under us to get it done
so that we would have a smaller chance of standing in lines that could potentially
be longer than normal. We are traveling in the summer, so this was really
important for us to follow through with.
 |
| We stared at this for hours while we waited! :o) |
We arrived at the airport, and parked in Terminal D, and
proceeded inside. Thankfully, the location was close to the entrance and was
easy to find. We got in line and was the 5th family in line, about
8:50 AM. The location opened and the representative took down the names of the
individuals in line and directed us to wait, but I found the perfect seat
behind the desk area. This was a good thing because little did we know that we
would be there for a while.
proceeded inside. Thankfully, the location was close to the entrance and was
easy to find. We got in line and was the 5th family in line, about
8:50 AM. The location opened and the representative took down the names of the
individuals in line and directed us to wait, but I found the perfect seat
behind the desk area. This was a good thing because little did we know that we
would be there for a while.
Again, we did not have an appointment, so we had to
wait for those that had an appointment and the ones that were there before us.
Bless the agent’s heart, she was the only one working but she remained pleasant, courteous,
and professional.
 |
| This was after the first hour. Look at that smile! |
 |
| This is after three hours, right before she called us in! |
Once she called our names, we were escorted into the room,
where she gave us plenty of information and told us what to expect. The first thing she did was ask for our identification, and then instructed us
where to place our fingers for finger printing. Before I go any further, I have
to say that finger printing my thumbs was not the most comfortable thing. Can
you imagine having to squeeze your upper body just to get the perfect print?
Interesting enough, Kelsey and Anthony did not have the same “issues” I did –
Go Figure! Can you say Cirque Du Soleil?? **Note: No photos are allowed in the secured area**
where she gave us plenty of information and told us what to expect. The first thing she did was ask for our identification, and then instructed us
where to place our fingers for finger printing. Before I go any further, I have
to say that finger printing my thumbs was not the most comfortable thing. Can
you imagine having to squeeze your upper body just to get the perfect print?
Interesting enough, Kelsey and Anthony did not have the same “issues” I did –
Go Figure! Can you say Cirque Du Soleil?? **Note: No photos are allowed in the secured area**
After taking our finger prints, she then reviewed the
information on our applications (which I filled out prior to our arrival), and
verified that everything was correct. She then accepted our form of
payment for $85 each, and asked for our signatures (Yes, Kelsey had to sign as well). When it was completed, she
gave us our individual receipts, and directed us to the website to check on the
status of our application, should we need to. We spent that 3 hours and 27 minutes
with them, but at the end of the day, it was worth it. HOWEVER, when we do it
again in 5 years, we will be sure to make an advanced reservation to bypass the
wait.
information on our applications (which I filled out prior to our arrival), and
verified that everything was correct. She then accepted our form of
payment for $85 each, and asked for our signatures (Yes, Kelsey had to sign as well). When it was completed, she
gave us our individual receipts, and directed us to the website to check on the
status of our application, should we need to. We spent that 3 hours and 27 minutes
with them, but at the end of the day, it was worth it. HOWEVER, when we do it
again in 5 years, we will be sure to make an advanced reservation to bypass the
wait.
There are some advantages to joining TSA Pre✓® Program which include the availability at 160 airports and 12 participating airlines. Oh and we can’t forget that you will NOT have to remove your shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, and light jackets. Sweet!!
If you would like more information, please be sure to visit the TSA Pre✓® Website.
Until Next Time!
So glad that you shared this experience Raquel. thanks for the helpful info!