Yet if you fly 1st class, business, Delta Comfort or Higher, get upgraded at SWA, or pay $10 priority pass at Allegiant, you get TSA-PRE and don't have to do any of that crap, or shoes, or belt, nothing. The whole thing is a crock of shit.
Travelers in standard TSA checkpoint lines at airports will have to remove all electronics larger than cellphones from carry-on bags and place them in a separate bin with nothing else above or below for X-ray screening.
I've had Pre-Check for a number of years. Well worth having if you fly more than once per year.
First class, Delta comfort (can only speak for Delta) does NOT get you into Pre-Check lanes. It does get you the expedited security lane in airports, which typically is a shorter wait time to go through security. But it does not get you into the Pre-Check lane (based on my experience) itself. 1st class passengers still have to remove shoes, laptops, etc in their security lane.
Pre-Check is a good program. Yes, they do an FBI background check on you, get your retinal scans and fingerprints, but once you've done these items, it sure makes it much more pleasurable to fly. I did the Global Entry route (which gives you access to Pre-Check), so maybe the "plain" Pre-Check isn't as detailed as the Global Entry, which really speeds up customs when going overseas.
I fly a lot and never have a problem if they say "we need to check your bag" etc which even happens occasionally in Pre-Check lanes too. Sure, it is not a fool proof system, but if it can actually catch something, it is worth it.
