You will need to provide some personal information when you fill out the TSA Precheck application. During the in-person interview, you will also be asked to answer a few basic personal questions and are expected to provide your current U.S. passport or a driver’s license and birth certificate.
Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck *How to pass interview*
Why do they require an interview, anyways?
Whether you’re embarking on an extended adventure abroad or a quick weekend getaway, youre probably dreading the long lines that can clog airport terminals. You can avoid the wait by applying for the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck system – but it wont happen overnight. Get the inside scoop on the application process of this perks-filled program, including tips for handling the in-person interview portion.
Common TSA Interview Questions And What To Expect
The in-person interview takes around 10 minutes or less but the waiting time might take a few hours depending on the amount of people lining up at the enrollment center. You will be required to do fingerprint scanning and you will be asked some security-related questions by a TSA agent.
These are the questions asked on your online application. Make sure to remember your answers because the TSA interviewer will ask them again during your interview ( courtesy of TSA PreCheck).
The interviewer will most likely ask variations of the questions you answered on your online application. For example, they will ask about your citizenship status, pending criminal cases (if you have any), criminal history, and military background. It’s a way for them to confirm that you are consistent with your answers.
For people with criminal history, the interviewer will probably focus more on that. They will assess the degree of your case and check if you’re going to be a threat in terms of security.
In some cases, the interviewer might ask about your employment status and a little bit about your family background. They may also ask the reason why your applying for a membership and how often you travel. Expect other travel-related and security-related questions.
The final decision for your application should arrive in about two to three weeks after your interview. Upon approval, you’ll get an email or mail confirmation that will have your Known Traveler Number (KTN). You will use this number at TSA PreCheck security lanes at airports.
A Minor Inconvenience With Major Payoffs
No one wants to think about what kind of filth is on the airport floor. If youre a member of the TSAs PreCheck program, youll never have to think about it again. Thats because members of the program are allowed to keep their shoes on at the screening checkpoint. Its just one of the perks of joining PreCheck. Members get to bypass the long line at security and join an expedited line instead, and theyre allowed to keep their laptops and liquids in their bags and keep belts and light jackets on during screening. Gaining entry to the program requires you to fill out an application and go to a quick PreCheck interview, which is more of an inconvenience than anything to be nervous about.
If you have a clean criminal record, youll probably be approved for the PreCheck program. The first step is to apply online, through the TSAs website. The online application takes just a few minutes to complete and asks for basic biographical information like your place of birth, recent addresses and country of citizenship.
The online application also addresses your criminal history, asking whether youve ever been found guilty of one of the crimes that the TSA considers “disqualifying offenses” and including a link to the list of such offenses. If you can truthfully answer “no” to all these questions, you should be eligible to join the program.
The last step of the application process requires you to set up an appointment for your PreCheck interview. The site will help you locate the nearest enrollment center. There are hundreds around the country, so you should be able to find one close by. Enrollment centers are often located in airports or in offices that specialize in identity services.
