TSA/Precheck

[Debra]

Well I finally signed up for TSA/Precheck the other day. $85 for 5 years seemed legit.

Basically had to fill out an online application and then schedule an 'in person' interview.

The application included asking for my maiden name as well as any 'aliases' I'd used before. So of course I felt obligated to share both my maiden name AND my OLD name. That brought back old feelings of dysphoria hah....and I wondered if I really even needed to do that (my BC does have my proper / maiden name on it nowadays).

I went in for the interview and it was really no big deal. They took fingerprints and the guy had me verify everything on the screen. If he saw or thought anything about the names/aliases screen, he didn't say it....and I was thankful.

Was way easier than I thought it would be, yay! Now I get to bypass the big lines at the airport Will come in handy for my FFS consult in San Fran (and prob for the actual surgery flights too).

[KarynMcD]

You usually skip the full body scanners and use the older style metal detectors too.

[tgchar21]

The "aliases" question is probably along the same lines as when that (or something similar) is asked when your employer wants to do a background check - the main issue is if your full criminal history is not made known to whoever is running the check because some of it is under a different name you could be accused of deception/trying to conceal your record. On the other hand, if they take fingerprints, that will reveal any history of yours regardless of what name it was under (provided that fingerprints were taken at the time of the offense - if not then matching by name would still be important).

[Starfire]

You usually skip the full body scanners and use the older style metal detectors too.

Yes, another great perk.  I signed up for Global Entry (provides benefits for international travel too) last year and in the dozen+ flights I've had through various airports, I have never had to go through the full body scanners, only the metal detectors.

[Debra]

You usually skip the full body scanners and use the older style metal detectors too.

Cool! I didn't know that part