Demand by travelers interested in enrolling in the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Pre✓ program has been so strong that a temporary application center will be offered at the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) from October 29 until November 9.
The TSA Pre✓ temporary application center will be in the IdentoGO TSA Pre✓RV in the parking lot of the Asheville Regional Airport Department of Public Safety on Wright Brothers Way starting on Monday, Oct. 29 through Thursday, Nov. 8, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and on Friday, Nov. 9, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (Closed Saturday and Sunday).
Local travelers can make an appointment for TSA Pre✓ enrollment online by completing the initial enrollment information, then selecting Asheville from the drop-down menu (on the last screen of the initial enrollment) to make an appointment. A link to the online application is provided at flyavl.com.
Applicants may then complete their enrollment in-person at the TSA Pre✓ application center during their appointment. The application fee is $85 and is good for five years. It can be paid at the time of your appointment by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. Enrollees will need to bring documentation proving identity and citizenship status. And fingerprints are collected during the in-person enrollment session.
In addition to the temporary application center at AVL, travelers can also enroll at one of the on-airport locations at several airports around the country.
After completing enrollment, successful applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) via U.S. mail within a few days that is valid for five years. The enrollee should enter the provided KTN in the “Known Traveler Number” field when booking airline reservations. The KTN also can be added when booking reservations online via a participating airline website, via phone call to the airline reservation center, or with the travel management company making your reservations. Additionally, the KTN can be entered in participating airline frequent flyer profiles, where it will be stored for future reservations made directly from your profile.
More than 200 airports are participating in TSA Pre✓ nationwide and more than 50 airlines participate in the program including American, Delta and United. While the program is not yet at AVL, expedited screening is offered (no need to remove light jackets, shoes or belts). Also, you may be able to use your TSA Pre✓ privileges at your destination airport on your return journey.
TSA Precheck can be used at any of the airports in the program. Travelers who are enrolled in TSA Pre✓ or one of the other “trusted traveler” programs such as Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS are permitted to keep on their shoes, belts and light outerwear jacket, and they can leave their laptops and liquid 3-1-1 bags inside their carry-on bags when they go through a checkpoint while the program is being run. Wait times are typically five minutes or less.
The Transportation Security Administration was created to strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation systems and ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA uses a risk-based strategy and works closely with transportation, law enforcement and intelligence communities to set the standard for excellence in transportation security.
For more information about TSA, please visit their website at tsa.gov. And again, to begin TSA Pre✓ enrollment and make an appointment, a link is provided at www.flyavl.com, or directly at www.identogo.com/precheck.