I'm in TSA Precheck, Zen. It was pretty easy. I paid $80, IIRC, and filled out some sort of online questionnaire. Then I had to go to Greensboro, which was the nearest location to me for a in-person interview (which is about 45 minutes away). The interview took about five minutes, they fingerprinted me (digitally! so clean!) and looked at my passport, and in a couple of weeks I got my Known Traveler Number.

I love it. I would have missed a flight this year if not for breezing through security, and not having to take off shoes/jacket/take out electronics is the best.

I don't remember if they took all my fingerprints or just some. Disqualifying criminal offenses listed here [link] (Mostly treason/sedition/espionage/murder/bringing explosives onto planes, looks like.)

OK, so people do still have to take off their shoes? I haven't flown in over 5 years, so I didn't know what was current. This will inform what pair of shoes I wear when I go on vacation.

If you're not in TSA Precheck, yes.

TSA Traveler Information

OK, crochet hook yes, loom knitting hook is probably a no.

OK, so people do still have to take off their shoes?

They didn't have people doing this the last couple times I flew through Fort Lauderdale. They didn't even want me to take my laptop out of the carry-on, while in the past it had to go through on its own.

I'm taking my CPAP machine, so I expect that will catch some interest.

About half the time in Boston, I seem to get put in a Pre-Check lane even though I don't have it. It's great!

I did the TSA Precheck thing and my experience was like amyth's except that the office at BWI is closer to me. It has been so worth it!

Pre-Check is domestic only, but signing up for the international (Global Entry) gets you Pre-Check domestic and special lanes for customs, etc., for $100.

Yeah, in retrospect, I wish I had done Global Entry. I'm going to do that when my KTN expires.