TSA Precheck with a Kid or Baby is Helpful

TSA Precheck with a kid or baby is helpful. SUPER helpful. Honestly, TSA precheck is 100% worth it if you travel from the United States, but it’s especially helpful if you’re traveling with children.

We’ve been doing TSA PreCheck with our kiddo since she was born. Having a baby changes travel in a lot of ways, making travel a lot harder. TSA precheck makes that travel day just a little bit easier. I’m going to tell you how and then I’ll talk a bit about how to get TSA precheck (hint: it’s not difficult!).

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is basically just an easier way to get through security at the airport. You have to go through a process to prove that you’re not a risk, and then you get to go through airport security more quickly/easily.

Once you’re approved, TSA PreCheck gets you into a designated line at the airport where you don’t have to remove your shoes, belt, or liquids, or take your laptop out of its bag. This line is typically shorter and moves faster than the regular line.

TSA PreCheck is available at over 200 airports in the USA.

Here’s our little one that we’ve been traveling with since she was 6 weeks old.

Can Babies or Kids Go with You through TSA PreCheck?

Yes! Which is awesome.

Per the TSA PreCheck website, “Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction. Children 13-17 may join enrolled adults in the dedicated lanes when traveling on the same reservation and if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass.”

So if your child is 12 and under, they can just walk with you through TSA PreCheck. If they’re 13-17, you’ll have to make sure it says TSA PreCheck on their boarding pass.

Read Next: Packing List for Baby Travel + Free Download, Tips for Iceland Travel with a Toddler, and How to Camp with a 1 Year Old.

TSA Precheck with a Kid or Baby is Helpful – Why?

Ok, everything is harder once you have a baby. Getting sleep, finding time to shower, drinking your coffee before it gets cold…. you know what I’m talking about. And then the things with the actual baby are also hard like changing a blow-out diaper, trying to calm an inconsolable infant, and attempting to get that baby to sleep.

As you can imagine – or maybe you’ve already experienced it – travel with a baby is harder too. I have a whole post about how travel changes when you have a baby.

Most people want to do anything that will make that travel easier, and this is where TSA PreCheck comes in.

Because of the TSA PreCheck Perks:

• You can have your baby in a carrier on you, and you don’t have to take them off.
• Not having to remove your shoes is surprisingly helpful.
• You’ll save time.
• You don’t have to worry about liquids being in a separate bag. One less thing to worry about.
• Usually people in the TSA PreCheck line kind of know what they’re doing, so airport security is a less frustrating experience.

If you have a sleeping infant strapped to your chest in a carrier, it is immensely convenient to not have to remove your shoes and then put them back on.

Because you can move through security more quickly, you can plan for less time at the airport. Or if you’re running behind because you had to stop to breastfeed on the way to the airport, you will hopefully still make your plane.

I promise it’s worth it. TSA PreCheck is not that expensive ($78), lasts for 5 years, and is not that difficult to obtain.

How to Get TSA PreCheck

First, find an enrollment center near you.

Then head to the enrollment application page based on whatever location is closest to you. It will be either IDEMIA or TELOS. Fill out the application, and then you’ll go to the location to do fingerprints and a background check. It’s really not difficult.

Some credit cards offer TSA PreCheck enrollment as a travel benefit, so check that before you apply!

Once You Have TSA PreCheck

Once you’re approved, you’ll received a Known Traveler Number (KTN), and you’ll input this when buying flights or after you purchase them. Always make sure it says TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass or they’ll turn you away when you get to the front of the line.

When you go the airport, always go through the TSA PreCheck lane. They say that most TSA PreCheck passengers wait 10 minutes or less at the airport, and I can attest to that.

TSA PreCheck with a Kid or Baby is Helpful

What do you think? Is it worth it?

Whether you get TSA PreCheck or not, I hope you travel a lot with your little one. It can be such a wonderful experience for you and your kiddo.

And if you’re reading this, you should definitely learn my 20 Helpful Toddler Travel Tips.

Happy Traveling!

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