If you’ve ever sprinted through security, shoes off, juggling electronics, and wondering why you didn’t just spring for TSA PreCheck, you’re not alone.
But here’s the kicker: A lot of people still aren’t buying it. To that point, we thought we’d reach out to you and get your takes on why you haven’t bought TSA PreCheck.
We reached out to our followers on Facebook and Instagram to ask: “Why haven’t you bought TSA PreCheck?” We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments!
Now, let’s go over some of your top responses!
The Cost vs. Frequency Dilemma
One of the biggest hurdles for people is simple math. If you’re not flying often, the $78 fee for five years of TSA PreCheck doesn’t make sense. To that, Laura shared, “We don’t fly enough to make it worth it/be bothered waiting in a normal line.”
Nick echoed that sentiment: “Not worth it when you only travel once a year.” Cory added, “We don’t fly enough to justify the expense. Plus our wait times aren’t bad. I’ll save my line skipping budget for Lightning Lanes.”
The reality is that if you’re only taking the occasional flight, TSA PreCheck feels like an unnecessary luxury. Why pay for the fast lane when the regular line isn’t all that bad?
The Financial Factor
For some of you, it’s less about the frequency and more about current financial priorities. Travel isn’t cheap, and when budgets are tight, TSA PreCheck is an easy cut.
April shared, “I planned to get it before our next trip but for financial reasons we’re taking a travel break to save some money and catch up on some debt. It would go to waste while we’re not traveling. When our travel picks back up again it’s on my to do list.”
Heather had a similar take, saying, “We drive every single year from NJ. We’d rather spend the money we would on flights on our cruise and Disney for the two weeks we are down.”
The “I Just Don’t Fly” Crowd
Some of you just aren’t getting on planes, period. For you, TSA PreCheck is about as useful as a passport for a hermit.
Julie shared, “We are not a flying family. I think the last time anybody flown in my family was about at least a decade ago, which was for a job-related trip. I’ve never been on an airplane before. I’ve been to the airport many times to drop people off.” Matthew added, “I only travel with my RV so there’s no need.”.
The Logistics Problem
Even those of you who bought TSA PreCheck sometimes find it doesn’t work as advertised. Ron shared, “We bought & never get to use it on the flight out because we leave so early that the pre-check isn’t open.”
Paying for convenience only to find it unavailable when you need it is definitely a deal-breaker.
Well, those were just some of your thoughts on why you haven’t bought TSA PreCheck, and now we want to hear even more from you!
If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!
In the meantime, stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney news!
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Why haven’t you bought TSA PreCheck?? Tell us all about it down in the comments!
I believe a lot depends on the technology at the airports you fly out of. With the newer scanners in some airports (even some in MCO… Which in my opinion is not a great airport) electronics stay in the bag and the process is fast. You don’t need pre check. Maybe your home airport moves slowly and backs up, so I can see some value… But in most cases I see it like lightning lane; kind of pointless for those who travel at non-peak times. Most of the time I travel with colleagues that have it, I am withing a minute or 2 of their line or ahead of them… If you are impatient (the person who complains because Peter Pan is a 45 minute listed wait); have a horrible home airport; are used to cutting it so close that 10 minutes may cause you to Home Alone your way through the terminal; or just need to spend the money to feel good about yourself (you are the type of person that purchase lightning lane in early January and February) than get it for sure. For everyone else, just use your best judgement. If $75 is cheap,than it may be worth it… But for me the value isn’t there.
We don’t fly much. The fee for the TSA precheck is good for just a few years and then must be renewed. I understand that sometimes the PREcheck line is longer than the regular TSA line. It’s not prudent to pay for this perk.
I did. I am still waiting for approval!!!!
Paid for TSA. Take 6 to 8 flights per year..Received TSA for 2 years. Then we never received it again. We questioned after not getting it. Took our info and told us could not be found in the system..Never again.
Worth every penny especially if you are running late for a flight leaving soon. Hey bag fees are $35 each way. They charge just for selecting a seat or to access the internet. More than pays for itself with one trip per year because you access much shorter TSA line twice in one trip.
We had two trips planned so I applied for the pre-check a month in advance of the first one. Over two months later, and both trips completed, I still dont have an approval from TSA.
TWIC works just fine.
I just renewed mine and I haven’t been on an airplane in a couple of years. Once you get through a security checkpoint quickly without taking off your shoes it’s hard to go back
But it is FREE with a lot of credit cards…..seems silly not to get it with literally NO COST…..just sayin…..
I only fly a few times a year but am thankful for TSA pre check. For me, it’s like purchasing a lightning lane except it last 5 years instead of a day.
After finding myself in the wrong line once I decided to go for it. Although the line was much shorter I still had to take my shoes off and go through the whole deal bc I set the sensors off. One downside is if you travel with friends or coworkers who aren’t signed up you still go through the normal line vs waiting for them on the otherside of the TSA.
Precheck works for me only flying 5 times per year. Can get to the airport a little later and less stress overall..
I have young children so I would have to get TSA pre check for all of the little ones. It’s too much for a family of 6
Under 18 go through TSA pre-check with parents for free
Nope, kids under 18 can go through with a parent with pre check. For years, I had it and my wife did not, so I’d just take all our kids though with me while my wife would go through the normal line. It’s very worth it.
FYI: Children 12 and under: Can accompany a parent or guardian with TSA PreCheck in the TSA PreCheck lanes without needing their own membership
Would but there isn’t an easy way to get it here on the Big Island. Kona is an 1 1/2 hours away, and Hilo airport is 2hrs. I don’t even know if it (registration) is offered at these airports.
Those are all terrible reasons, except for the total non-flyer. It’s $78.00. That’s less than 2 checked bags. And because you’ve been screened with a background check, you’re less likely to be pulled out for a random search. You’re basically telling TSA that you’re trustworthy. And the lines are always shorter and faster because of the type of people who answered this poll. I travel maybe once a year, but that’s 2 airport departures I don’t have to sweat getting through security. People probably don’t consider that. They have a home port and a destination port and they have to go through security at each one before boarding. It’s totally worth it, and not the unholy scam that Clear is. Why the Federal government allowed a private security company into our airports is a mystery.
Pre Check has saved me time every time I fly which is at least once per month. Saving time has value by itself but saving me from the angst of missing my flight is priceless.