Air travel can be stressful.
One of the worst and most dreaded parts of traveling by plane can be airport security. It is always the worst when the line is so long and moves so slowly, not to mention the anxiety you can feel trying to make sure you are listening to everything the TSA agents are saying. One way to make the security experience a little easier is by applying and purchasing TSA PreCheck, but there are four rules you need to consider before deciding if PreCheck is the right fit for you.
TSA PreCheck is a service that allows air travelers to skip out on some of the most dreaded parts of the security process. Those with PreCheck have a dedicated line, can keep on their belt and jacket, do not need to remove large electronics from their bag, and also get to go through a regular metal detector.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, then make sure to keep these four things in mind.
You Have to Pay for TSA PreCheck
Unlike MCO Reserve, which allows you to book a security time slot three days in advance at the Orlando International Airport for free, TSA PreCheck is a paid service. The price ranges between $79.95 and $85, and once purchased, it is good for five years.
Now, if you fly often, or at least once a year, this service can be totally worth it. But if you are only purchasing it for a single trip to Disney World, we would say it is not really necessary.
The cost of PreCheck can add up, especially if you are traveling with a larger party. One perk, though, is that children 17 and under can go through TSA PreCheck for free according to these rules:
“Children 12 and under are automatically allowed in the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with a parent/guardian who has the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass.”
You Have to Be Approved
TSA PreCheck is not granted immediately, as you must go through an approval process first. There are different ways to get approved, but on average, it will take three to five days for applicants to be approved. This is not always the case, and it could take up to 60 days.
If you want to apply for PreCheck, do so at least 60 days before your expected travel date to ensure there is enough time for the approval to go through. Applicants can receive updates on their enrollment status by email, phone, text, or by checking online through the enrollment provider they applied with.
Everything You Need To Know About Orlando International Airport Before Your 2025 Disney World Trip
Sometimes, the PreCheck Line is Not the Shortest
While the TSA says that 99% of those with PreCheck wait 10 minutes or less in line, the line can sometimes be longer than the regular security line.
We have seen this at MCO, especially when comparing it with the MCO Reserve line (which is completely free to use!). Although TSA PreCheck simplifies the security process, you should still give yourself plenty of time to make it through security and to your gate.
You May Still Get Randomly Searched
While TSA PreCheck allows you to skip out on the general security screening process, sometimes they do random security screenings, which can include a full body pat down as well as a manual bag inspection.
This can be frustrating when you pay for a service that is supposed to skip the painful security process, but it is still something that could happen. This means that it could take you longer than expected to get through security, so you’ll still want to allow for additional time.
For more travel tips and Disney news, make sure to continue to follow along with AllEars!
Regular TSA Rules Are Changing
It’s also important to note that rules for regular TSA lines have begun to change. In 2025, TSA made the announcement that you no longer need to take off your shoes to go through security. Family-friendly TSA lines have also begun popping up at various airports, including MCO Airport, which is a separate line only for families with kids 12 and under. These families are also eligible for a discount for TSA PreCheck through the “Families on the Fly” program, but since these lines are popping up more, you may feel like you don’t need the paid service.
It looks like more changes could be on the horizon soon, as TSA has also mentioned they may be changing their limits on the sizes of liquids allowed, which would make traveling A LOT easier. This rule has been around for 19 years, so to see it change will be pretty wild.
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Do you use TSA PreCheck? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
I didn’t know that you can be denied if you have lot of medicines. Or if your name is not the same on your documents
You may pay for the 5 year plan but most credit cards reimburse you for the fee
My group use PreCheck. We have found the need to contact the airline several times since getting it. The PreCheck disappeared from our purchased tickets and this means entering a chat to get it put back on. Keep your KTN (known traveler number) handy just in case it disappears between your travel flights.
My wife has Global Entry which has all the benefits of TSA Pre check plus includes the benefit of bypassing the longer passport/customs lines. Good for five years and you’re able to renew during re-entry into the USA.
They don’t even allowed me on the TSA line when I leaving. I’m put on the long line. I’m always patted down. Once I was given a paper that I didn’t have to take my shoes off. Coming back from international flight is great.
More trouble and always an issue. Either the agent reprint ticket and forgets to put tsa number. The agent resent those who have it so intentionally issued.
Always pulled a side
At the MCO Orlando airport, the TSA pre-check queue spits you out at Security line 20, then directs you to enter security lanes 1&2. So you have to try to cross in front of all the lanes to get to yours. Seems dumb. Why not have the queue lead to 1&2? And why are the TSA workers so rude?
You do know that TSA Pre also works with your NEXUS card and it is good for 5 years and allows you to use TSA Pre in every airport in the US and Canada and also on cruise ships as well sailing out of US ports. Maybe look at adding this to your article it is misleading
I have had TSA preckeck since its inception.
I am 74 years old and have had both hips
and knees replaced so I have a lot of metal
in my body. I have to go through the xray
scanner 3 times AND. have a body pat down.
I’m a woman who is 5’4”, petite and am an
American born white person with no history
of anything. So TSA does not let me off easily.
I wear an ankle brace and I have a TSA pre check. TSA hassles me every time and recently I was subjected to the legal molestation that TSA does to people. It was horrible.
Worth every penny. Wish I had global. Saves so much time.
It is worth every penny.
I’m a 70ish woman who has trouble walking. Constantly get searched. What for?
I have found that having an airline supplied wheelchair makes it easier to go through the scanner . I have a knee replacement which forces me to utilize the scanner. I’ve used a cane which apparently angers the agents. I use that wheelchair a lot.
I love my TSA PreCheck. But it does have it’s advantages and disadvantages, for example two weeks ago I got through security at Charlotte in 5 minutes but on Monday it took nearly 30 minutes and was longer than the regular lines.
Not worth it. You are subject to a background check and the government will know more about you. That is the whole purpose for it, to know who you are, and where you are going at all times. And Not worth giving the government my money for this.
The government doesn’t need you to have precheck to know more about you and where you are going. They already know before you know.
2 of the last 3 times I’ve flown, they check my bag, I carry an iPad, medicine and needles.
I use pre check all he time.
I travel from Florida to Chicago and back 4 or 5 times a year. Never any problems in Chicago or Tampa fast lines
My travel agent misspelled my name on my ticket so I could not use it last time. I have seen Pre check lines longer but they move faster. The rich people use CLEAR & Pass all of us.
I have used TSA Pre-Check for years and never had a problem, even with multiple areas of metal in my body (I do give them ample warning of same). We just smile and laugh when/if I set off any alarms.