| 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? |
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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.