Hey, it's Kip!
Read time: about 2.5 minutes. Published 2026-02-01
Let’s talk about your options when it comes to flying through those potentially long lines at airport security. It’s definitely the worst part about flying, but even I have to deal with it, since I’m not built for long-distance solo flights.
There’s the basic approach – just going through the regular security line. Of course, the main advantage here is that it’s free. The main disadvantage is that it is often much slower, especially at peak times. You are also subject to stricter rules, like removing belts and light jackets, and placing your 3-1-1 liquids and electronics (tablets and laptops) in a separate bin. The good news is that as of July 2025, you no longer have to remove your shoes!
There’s a handful of Trusted Traveler Programs, and I’ll try to give you the basics of each, and help you decide which is right for you. They include:
TSA PreCheck is a no-brainer for most travelers. The lines are generally much shorter (usually under 10 minutes), you can usually keep your belt and jacket on, and your 3-1-1 liquids, tablets and laptops can stay in your bag.
CLEAR+ is the fastest way through security. A CLEAR+ rep escorts you right to the front of the line, even ahead of TSA PreCheck passengers. However, it’s important to note that you don’t get the TSA PreCheck benefits with CLEAR+ alone, although they do offer a bundle that includes PreCheck. Your ID is verified quickly using an iris or fingerprint scan, but as more airports switch to facial recognition, this becomes less important.
Global Entry lets you skip the customs lines when returning to the US; you use an automated kiosk to declare anything and head to baggage claim quickly. Since Global Entry comes with TSA PreCheck, this option makes the most sense if you travel internationally at least once each year.
NEXUS is similar to Global Entry, but it is also used when returning to Canada. The catch is that you have to interview in person at a NEXUS enrollment center, and those are sparsely placed among the northern states and Canada. This option only makes sense if you are a frequent traveler to Canada.
My personal recommendation is to go with TSA PreCheck for most travelers, Global Entry for international travelers, or NEXUS for frequent Canada travelers (since those two include PreCheck). While there is sometimes still a line, it’s significantly shorter than the regular line, and the benefit of not needing to remove and re-pack things take some of the stress and hassle out of the process. CLEAR+ just doesn’t seem to offer enough benefits to make it worthwhile.
TSA PreCheck is also very affordable, especially for anyone who travels multiple times each year. Costs tend to fluctuate, but it’s about $70 - $80 for a 5-year membership. It does take time to go through the application process, so you’ll want to plan ahead, at least 60 days before you’re scheduled to fly.
Pro Tip – TSA now charges a $45 fee to anyone travelling without a REAL ID or valid passport who requires manual identity verification, even if you have TSA PreCheck. Make sure you get your REAL ID before you fly!
Another Pro Tip – There are a lot of options for credit cards that give free or discounted memberships to some of these programs. If you do a lot of flying, it might be worth checking out.