I solved the TSA funding and TSA lines…….your welcome

[dougp26364]

After the 5 weeks standoff we finally hit the bullet and purchased a Clear+ membership. 12 hours later, the president directs payment to the TSA.

Honestly we’d been thinking about this for a couple of years. The fact our government seems to have an affinity for shutting down essential services just pushed us across the line. Will it be worth it? I’m still not certain. We’ll get to try it out for the first time next Monday.

 

[claraj]

My friend just texted me from JFK terminal 4 (Delta). He has a 9am flight to MCO. He said it seems everyone is coming early. He arrived at 7 and had clear+ pre check and it took 50 min to get to the front but by the time he got to the front, all lines were empty, people were walking up to the front.

Also, JFK and LGA are reporting wait times again.

 

[andre10056]

My friend just texted me from JFK terminal 4 (Delta). He has a 9am flight to MCO. He said it seems everyone is coming early. He arrived at 7 and had clear+ pre check and it took 50 min to get to the front but by the time he got to the front, all lines were empty, people were walking up to the front.

Also, JFK and LGA are reporting wait times again.

So I guess the message is "come late". I'm not sure that would always work out that way, however.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I don’t know whether it’s that TSA agents will be getting paid again, the end of spring break around here, a Saturday morning, or all of the above, but wait times at Houston Bush are very short today. Only A and E are open, as they’ve been, no Clear or PreCheck, but A is only 5 minutes and E is only 7, per the airport app at this moment.

 

[DeniseM]

At the Las Vegas airport earlier this week, "CLEAR" members were being walked to the front of the (long) regular line. It didn't go over well.

 

[easyrider]

After the 5 weeks standoff we finally hit the bullet and purchased a Clear+ membership. 12 hours later, the president directs payment to the TSA.

Honestly we’d been thinking about this for a couple of years. The fact our government seems to have an affinity for shutting down essential services just pushed us across the line. Will it be worth it? I’m still not certain. We’ll get to try it out for the first time next Monday.

I didn't know this program existed. Clear is a yearly fee unlike our Global Entry & TSA precheck with 5 year renewal so It's a wait and see for us.

Bill

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@dougp26364 that is usually what happens to me so you are not alone.

FYI ..We get clear free* annually with our AMEX Hilton Aspire card. *Technically we pay for it with our AF but we also get an uncapped free night which has been valuable for Waldorf stays.

 

[dougp26364]

At the Las Vegas airport earlier this week, "CLEAR" members were being walked to the front of the (long) regular line. It didn't go over well.

It never does, but that’s why people pay $209/year same as people pay extra to sit in first class vs basic coach or get an airline CC to get a better boarding position.

 

[Passepartout]

We both had Pre-Check at Nashville for a 7am flight. got right through and sat 1 1/2 hours at our gate. Nothin' to it, but you never know. I thanked all the TSA folks for their attendance. Seems they'll get paid Monday. Another needless kerfuffle.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We traveled domestically last weekend and had zero problems with lines. I heard certain airports like SFO outsource their TSA and pay in advance to agency to avoid such issues. Not sure about other airports we flew through.

Also traveled from Canada and Mexico in Feb with Global Entry kiosks shut off. Went straight to attendant and was waived thru. No big deal. YMMV

 

[JohnnyO]

After the 5 weeks standoff we finally hit the bullet and purchased a Clear+ membership. 12 hours later, the president directs payment to the TSA.

Honestly we’d been thinking about this for a couple of years. The fact our government seems to have an affinity for shutting down essential services just pushed us across the line. Will it be worth it? I’m still not certain. We’ll get to try it out for the first time next Monday.

We bit the bullet weeks ago. Thankfully our Hilton Aspire Card pays for it. We are already in Global Entry and TSA Pre-check. When we came back from Cabo last month GE was shut down. We waited in the general line where they were taking photos of everyone before the immigration stations. They waived through some, including GE, and sent others to the immigration stations. I asked the TSA attendant if we would get a refund on our paid GE. He laughed and said this (the picture taking) was just like GE. I said yeah but I had to wait in this stinkin line first. We both had a good laugh. Picture taken and waived through. It wasn't that long of a line fortunately.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

BTW...I have heard there is a new online GE or border process that you can complete on the plane as you land. Anyone have experience with it?

I have heard that if you are flagged for further questioning, you can call loved ones in advance to let them know what is happening because Border Patrol will take your phone.

 

[dioxide45]

BTW...I have heard there is a new online GE or border process that you can complete on the plane as you land. Anyone have experience with it?

I have heard that if you are flagged for further questioning, you can call loved ones in advance to let them know what is happening because Border Patrol will take your phone.

Probably mobile passport.

 

[davidvel]

At the Las Vegas airport earlier this week, "CLEAR" members were being walked to the front of the (long) regular line. It didn't go over well.

This is exactly what Clear is. THey take you to the front of the Pre Check line.

The biggest benefits of precheck/clear are that you don't need to take liquids out, take shoes off, and take large electronics out of bags.

 

[moonstone]

This is exactly what Clear is. THey take you to the front of the Pre Check line.

The biggest benefits of precheck/clear are that you don't need to take liquids out, take shoes off, and take large electronics out of bags.

Our DD and 1 DS (& his wife) have Nexus since they travel frequently. The cost is $120.US and the card is good for 5 years. The last 2 trips our DD took (out of YYZ) this winter there was nobody in front of her at security. When she was leaving TPA a couple of weeks ago there were 3 people ahead of her.

I found out, quite by accident, when I started asking for a wheelchair, the wc pusher bypasses all the lineups and I (& DH) get through security and Customs/Immigration in all airports very fast, usually with very little or no waiting in line. DH said even after I get my other knee replaced, I should still request a wheelchair just so we can get through the airport and to our gate fast.


~Diane

 

[GrayFal]

BTW...I have heard there is a new online GE or border process that you can complete on the plane as you land. Anyone have experience with it?

Yes, I used it last week at JFK Terminal one.
You take your picture sitting in the plane when you land and bypass the GE machines walking right up to the agent at the exit.

Here's a photo of the app

Mobile Passport is another app/program and you don't need GE to use it

 

[geist1223]

Our last 2 times through Customs have been very simple. Present Passport. Have picture taken. They did not want the filled out Custom Form. Just one question - Are you bringing in more than a $1,000 of purchases each.

 

[jeff123]

Our last 2 times through Customs have been very simple. Present Passport. Have picture taken. They did not want the filled out Custom Form. Just one question - Are you bringing in more than a $1,000 of purchases each.

The past couple times we came back from Mexico they never even needed our passports. They took our pictures and one time asked us the value of things we were bringing back and the other time didn't even ask us any questions. I think we came back through Phoenix both times.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

When we returned in Feb without GE kiosk working the officer asked what we were doing in Canada (this was Vancouver entry point). After we told him on vacation skiing, he asked "who fell first?" He either wanted to ensure we were there on vacation not business, or he was bored and wanted to pass time by hearing about vacations.

 

[easyrider]

I think the Global Entry at SEATAC was only our picture last Feb. It was fast. The official who watched everything sat in a chair and said welcome back as we walked by.

Bill

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I have had Clear for years, got it right after it was introduced. It definitely does save time overall, but that varies by airport and time of day. They don't operate at all airports, so it would be less useful if your home airport is not covered.

They also operate at some sports stadiums, maybe that's valuable or maybe not. I take advantage of the service at games, but wouldn't pay extra for a service like that otherwise.

 

[am1]

Our DD and 1 DS (& his wife) have Nexus since they travel frequently. The cost is $120.US and the card is good for 5 years. The last 2 trips our DD took (out of YYZ) this winter there was nobody in front of her at security. When she was leaving TPA a couple of weeks ago there were 3 people ahead of her.

I found out, quite by accident, when I started asking for a wheelchair, the wc pusher bypasses all the lineups and I (& DH) get through security and Customs/Immigration in all airports very fast, usually with very little or no waiting in line. DH said even after I get my other knee replaced, I should still request a wheelchair just so we can get through the airport and to our gate fast.


~Diane

Nothing like abusing the system. The tip to the wheelchair pusher should outweigh the savings. Lots of miracle flights to India where everyone needs a wheelchair to board but when the plane arrives they can all walk.

 

[RX8]

Flew out 10 days ago and took 5 minutes to get through security. Returned 3 days ago and the wait at the other airport was less than 15 minutes. This was regular security. I guess we got lucky that TSA decided to show up for our flights.

 

[moonstone]

Nothing like abusing the system. The tip to the wheelchair pusher should outweigh the savings. Lots of miracle flights to India where everyone needs a wheelchair to board but when the plane arrives they can all walk.

I do not abuse the system and never will! I can not walk more than about 200 feet without being in extreme pain in my knee that needs replacing. I have no cartilage left and 3mm of bone on my tibia has worn away. I had the same issue with my other knee before it was replaced, it is good now.

I first asked for a wc at the Toronto airport a couple of years ago because when arriving, especially on flights from the USA, there is about a mile long walk then possibly a long wait at Immigration. A couple of winters ago we had a 2.5hr layover/connection at Chicago on our way home from Belize. If I had needed to walk from our arrivals gate through US Customs and to our departure gate we never would have made the flight. As it was with a wc pusher almost sprinting and going through the short wc area lines, we arrived at our gate as the plane was boarding. And of course we always tip generously.

Often at the Toronto airport DH ends up pushing me because the wc pushers there only push a short distance then you need to wait for a different one to take you on the next leg, then you wait for another pusher, and so on possibly having 4 or 5 different pushers. We dont often see people tipping them there.


~Diane

 

[dioxide45]

Nothing like abusing the system. The tip to the wheelchair pusher should outweigh the savings. Lots of miracle flights to India where everyone needs a wheelchair to board but when the plane arrives they can all walk.

Wheelchairs regularily go through a special line at checkpoints so the pusher can be done faster and move on to another flier than needs a wheelchair. If they didn't, they would need to employ double or more the number of pushers. Not everyone tips.