I happened to see the news that Trump is eliminating the requirement for taking your shoes off... which I agree with, the whole thing is a little silly... but, it got me thinking about the TSA PreCheck thing.

I used to have it when I worked for the agency, but we were told not to use it because it would make us a target when we were traveling (since all Federal employees automatically got it). But the thing that bothers me about TSA PreCheck is that I believe it's unconstitutional. For something to be challenged as unconstitutional, there has to be some perceived "injury." Injury obviously does not mean pain or physical adverse action caused... but it can mean financial loss, loss of freedoms, loss of time, all kinds of things are considered injury. It must also be challenged... the Supreme Court (or district courts for that matter) do not merely decide on something unless someone brings a lawsuit to them... and no one wants to sue to eliminate TSA PreCheck because many people benefit from it, and few people are upset with it.

Here's my thought... TSA PreCheck, and why I despise it. In Constitutional law, we are innocent until proven guilty. Yet, we've created a system whereby everyone is automatically now considered suspicious and guilty, and must go through a process... but we can PAY money for the government to not consider us guilty. I'm not suggesting that we should be free of security checks, but I disagree with the perspective that we must now pay money for the Government to consider us trustworthy.


I realize this is an unpopular take, haha... but this is something that's always bothered me about this program since it's inception.

So here's the question. Asking because I haven't flown since July of 2001, and haven't bothered to keep up with it.
Is there a background check - or even a bit of profiling - done, before the pre-check enrollment is completed? Or just "gimme some money" and you're good to go?
And, if so, is there possibly a random spot check done on the person's record or background?
If you're not a frequent flyer, do you have to renew your pre-check?

quote Originally posted by Raydar: So here's the question. Asking because I haven't flown since July of 2001, and haven't bothered to keep up with it. Is there a background check - or even a bit of profiling - done, before the pre-check enrollment is completed? Or just "gimme some money" and you're good to go? And, if so, is there possibly a random spot check done on the person's record or background? If you're not a frequent flyer, do you have to renew your pre-check?

So yeah... it's good for 1 year, and then must be renewed. It does perform a basic background check, which honestly just runs a credit check, searches the FBI database for convictions or charges, and a couple of other databases... all of which are automatic and already free to the government (since they are government systems). There's another one called Clear, which is a competitor to the government one, and for some airports has a similar lane, or also uses TSA PreCheck.

Federal employees get it free because at a minimum, Federal employees will have gone through what's called a "Public Trust" background check, all the way up to full clearances depending on the organization (if it's part of the DoD or the IC). But there in also provides another point of "injury" of a potential lawsuit. Not everyone can afford the $125 or $150 bucks or whatever it is... and the government is essentially providing decreased scrutiny for a cash pay-off.

Certainly not saying it's a bad idea... but I think on it's face, it's unconstitutional... but no one would fight it because people like it.

TSA Pre-check was ruined at the San Diego airport by Clear being allowed to escort their customers to the FRONT of the Pre-check line. There have been early morning trips where we have literally stared at one person after another being put to the front of the line, resulting in the Regular security line running much, much, faster than the Pre-check line. (Interestingly, with the new administration coming online in 2025, the volume of passengers using Clear dropped dramatically. Likewise, the legions of people sleeping in the baggage area vanished. The reader may draw their own conclusions ...)