'Pop-Up' Makes Getting TSA PreCheck Easier For Westchester Travelers

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Flying through airport security just got easier for Hudson Valley air travelers.

Residents of Westchester County and surrounding areas will be able to enroll in the convenient TSA PreCheck program without having to travel to a regional office. A temporary "pop-up" enrollment center will be accepting applications at the Westchester County Airport from Aug. 5 to 9.

To take advantage of the limited time only enrollment opportunity, travelers need to make an appointment online and pre-enroll online. The agency said it typically only takes 10 minutes to pre-enroll.

After completing the pre-enrollment steps, applicants need to select the enrollment site for "White Plains, N.Y." and select "Pop-up: HPN." Applicants can select an appointment date and time using the drop down menu.

TSA PreCheck is popular among frequent flyers because it can, in theory, expedite a traveler’s airport security checkpoint screening process. Participants who are approved can leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on, in select TSA airport checkpoint screening lanes.

About 200 airports and 100 airlines participate in the program.

Applicants must bring documentation proving identity and citizenship status. Visit the Universal Enroll website for a list of required documents to prove identity and citizenship.

The application fee is $78 and is good for five years. It must 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. Fingerprints and a photograph also are required during the in-person enrollment session.

After completing enrollment, successful applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) via U.S. mail within about 10 days that is valid for five years. Many individuals are approved in just a few days after completing the in-person appointment, so applicants are encouraged to check your status online.

The enrollee should enter the provided KTN in the "Known Traveler Number" field when booking airline reservations. The KTN can be added when booking reservations online on a participating airline website, via a call to the airline reservation center, or with the travel management company making reservations. Additionally, the KTN can be entered in participating airline frequent flyer profiles, where it will be stored for future reservations.

For the pop-up at Westchester County Airport applicants only need to make an appointment online (appointments are being taken now). You will complete the enrollment in-person. The enrollment center will be located in the arrivals area near baggage claim. The center will be open from Monday, Aug. 5, through Friday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon and afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m.

To learn more about TSA PreCheck visit the TSA PreCheck page or the TSA PreCheck® Frequently Asked Questions page. For more information on the Department of Homeland Security’s four Trusted Traveler programs – including Global Entry and NEXUS– all of which provide TSA PreCheck eligibility, visit DHS.gov.