Planning a spring getaway? Don’t forget to add TSA PreCheck enrollment to your pre-vacay to-do list.
The government program provides an expedited security lane at 200+ airports for travelers that pass a security screening — which includes a short application and a 10-minute in-person enrollment appointment — and are given a Known Traveler Number. Bonus: The screening is good for five years and costs $78.
The main benefit of enrolling? Saving time when traveling. Recent data found that 96% of TSA PreCheck passengers spent less than five minutes at airport security checkpoints.
To apply, find out if you are eligible, then fill out an application and schedule an appointment at a nearby enrollment center. The center in Winston-Salem is located at 200 Northgate Park Dr. It is open weekdays, though hours vary.
You can also attend an upcoming pop-up enrollment event Monday, Feb. 12 through Friday, Feb. 16 at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, ~25 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem.
In-person background checks and fingerprinting will take place in the Winston-Salem Room, on the American Airlines side of the arrivals level. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome as time permits.
Most people will know if their application has been approved within three to five days. Once your trip is booked, don’t forget to grab these airport essentials: a memory foam travel pillow, this smart luggage carry-on set, and an AirFly wireless headphones transmitter.
