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Known traveler number story ...

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by dmr, Jul 20, 2016.

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  1. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    Well, I am now a "Known Traveler", as I know I said here I was applying for it.

    The entire process took about three weeks.

    First was applying on line. Took maybe 5 minutes, which included setting up an appointment at a local office about two weeks out.

    Second was the "interview" which only took about 5 minutes. It was in a nondescript office building in west Omaha, not very well marked, literally an office within an office within an office, with things like "TSA Pre Check" written in marker on paper towel and scotch taped to the doors and such. Since I had the appointment I was called almost immediately. There were maybe 15 or so others waiting and I was one of the first to be called.

    I was fingerprinted using a finger scanner. No ink.

    The rest of the interview was interactive with a screen in front of me and in front of the interviewer. Usual questions about length of residence, any criminal history. I had to bring a copy of my birth certificate to prove that I am alive, of course :) and supporting identification.

    The only odd point was that of aliases. "Are you known by any aliases?" I said I had a nickname, two actually, so I have three names listed, my full formal name, a common shortened nickname of that, and the nickname I use informally. The interviewer said it was NBD.

    Then my CC was swiped for the $85 charge, which the interviewer reminded me was nonrefundable. She said I would be informed by mail shortly but I could check the web site in a few days if I wanted.

    Today (actually yesterday) I got the congratulatory letter and my known traveler ID. It's a seemingly random string. I have not used it yet, but I'm going to try to add it to a plane reservation (not to LV) I have next week.

    That's about it. :)
     
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  2. jamesxnj

    jamesxnj VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the info.My appt.was originally in June but NJ took 6 weeks to deliver a copy of my birth certificate,so I had to cancel it.Next available was August 1st so it looks like I'll make it in time for September trip.
     
  3. miniwhale

    miniwhale High-Roller

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    If you have a frequent flier account with any airline, you should be able to enter that info. and it will always be there in your profile. Anytime you book a flight, you don't have to enter it all again. And if anyone is considering pre check, and travels internationally, or intends to travel even once outside the country in the next 5 years, should consider Global Entry. It can save so much time going through customs/immigration coming back into the US.
     
  4. jr7110

    jr7110 VIP Whale

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    I did Global Entry and it is only $15 more ($100 total) to bundle it with TSA Pre Check. Worth every penny. I am surprised to hear DMR paid when she got to the interview - when I applied for Global Entry, they demanded the payment up front for the background check, and it was non-refundable. I had to pay just to apply, whether or not I was accepted.
     
  5. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

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    KTN is one of the best deals out there. I've had mine for a couple years. Never had to wait for more than 5 mins.
     
  6. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    IMHO, it's well worth it. I often look at "Clear" and for 5 times the price, wonder how they're getting any business. The ONLY advantage that I see is that with a Clear membership you get to take family members for free, so if you have a "large" family, you might get an advantage there.

    Of course, you need to be near a screening location . . I live in San Jose, CA and when I applied (a few years ago), had to drive to Oakland (about 40 miles away) to get my screening. They have done a good job of increasing the screening locations.

    BTW, if you EVER get a comp that includes airfare, make sure that the casino has your KTN. The last time I flew through CET, I didn't get TSA pre-check because CET didn't have my KTN when booking my reservation.
     
  7. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Oh, and another thing. Make sure that you have a "redress number" and know what it is.

    The redress number is used when there is someone with your name that ends up on a "no fly list", which causes you to go through additional screening. The official govt. explanation is:

    The Redress Control Number is the record identifier for people who apply for redress through the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP). DHS TRIP is for travelers who have been repeatedly identified for additional screening and who want to file an inquiry to have erroneous information corrected in DHS systems.

    For me, it's my cell phone number.

    Oh, and a final thing . . . .

    Make sure that all of the airlines that you have a "profile" with have your KTN registered. That way you don't have to give it to them each time you make a reservation. SWA has a field in the account profile to enter your KTN.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2016
  8. VegasGroove

    VegasGroove VIP Whale

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    DMR/DaiLun, thank you for the info. I was reading the TSA Pre-Check website yesterday and decided to do it. But I am wondering, should I do Known Traveler instead? Are these two programs the same or how are they different (Known Traveler and TSA Pre-Check)? Both are $85.

    Thanks!
     
  9. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

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    Pre Check assigns you a known traveler #.
     
  10. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    If you put the number in your airline profile and they use that airline, it will be automatic.

    Also, when you check in online at the 24 hour mark and your TSA PRE is not on the pass, then call into the airline to see if they can fix it. We did this with Southwest one time
     
  11. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Ditto what he said.

    If you travel internationally, then Global Entry is an option you may want to consider. Since 99% of my travel is domestic, I opt to TSA pre-check. Both Global Entry and TSA Pre-check give you the KTN.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2016
  12. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    The credit card swipe machine was on the desk right next to the computer screen in front of me. They did emphasize that the charge was not refundable if I was found to be some kind of a mean nasty ugly commie or something.
     
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  13. hotreds

    hotreds Illegitimi non carborundum!

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    I was intrigued by this as well, but for two trips to Vegas a year don't know that it would be worth the effort for SWMBO and myself.
     
  14. Jackpot Johnny

    Jackpot Johnny Wynn Fan

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    I had to pay when I made the online application. There was zero provision to pay later at the interview. But, I got both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. Best travel thing I've done since being scanned and molested became part of flying.

    We do everything we know to do to avoid travel hassles, security disasters, etc. TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, fly first class (often use miles upgrades), fly nonstop, make the flight to LAS is one of the earlier flights, arrive at the airport in plenty of time, arrive closest to the TSA entry nearest your departure gate, not necessarily your gate, etc. So far it's been working. Other than American Airlines usual maintenance and gate delay follies, we've pretty much breezed through the airport.

    As an aside, we absolutely don't like that American ended sidewalk check-in at LAS after their merger with U.S. Air (and inherited the third world country crappy, old U.S. Air aircraft-yikes). We're very lucky we fly first class, because customer service lines at McCarron can be a circus if for any reason you can't use the kiosks. We hate McCarron, but it's the price for Las Vegas. TSA PreCheck sure helps in Terminal D.
     
  15. zlanga

    zlanga High-Roller

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    When my wife and I applied for Global Entry in early June, it took about 2 weeks to get the initial approval, and to then schedule the interview. The first available date was Sept 8th in San Antonio, so I thought I would check Austin. Mid November!!! Suddenly September 8 sounded good, but jeeze that was over 90 days out. Did anyone else run into THAT issue? At least I'll have it for my October trip but missing Labor Day trip to Vancouver by a week, doh! Oh well once more thru the regular lines for old time sake...
     
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  16. jr7110

    jr7110 VIP Whale

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    Well, people have been known to just "show up" and get seen. You might have to wait for a bit if you don't have an appointment, but if you are willing to try you can head down to the office and try to get squeezed in for an interview now. I did mine two years ago and mixed up the interview dates. I went a week early by accident (the interview was scheduled at JFK airport in NYC) and they took me pretty quickly and everything went well. Of course that was before the current frenzy and everything became backlogged, BUT you still might be able to get approved well in advance of your Vancouver trip if you give it a try. Just make sure to bring your approval letter and anything else you might need.
     
  17. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

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    re: Long time for interview.

    Keep checking back and you should get an earlier date. Sometimes people cancel and that slot opens up. We went from 2-3 months to 10 days.
     
  18. shellieshoe

    shellieshoe Low-Roller

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    July 4th weekend we had a return flight out of Denver on Southwest. We were sent to priority check in because the regular lines were so long. The agent printed our boarding passes and handed them to us in the envelope. As we were leaving the line, I noticed that my husband didn't get TSA precheck even though I had it saved in his account at SWA. We went back to the agent and she looked at his account and printed another boarding pass. So be sure to check your boarding passes even though you have the info saved in account.
     
  19. zlanga

    zlanga High-Roller

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    Thanks for the heads up on the boarding pass as well as checking the interview availability!
     
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  20. salemorevegaslover

    salemorevegaslover Low-Roller

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    Just for your information......
    If you are a IUPT or P & T Veteran, there is NO cost involved for obtaining your KTN. The number is exact DoD ID # listed on your DOD Uniformed Services Card.
    "We Paid the Price"
     
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