Here's Why TSA PreCheck Is A Game-Changer For Families With A Baby

Airport security checkpoints can be stressful to deal with, but TSA PreCheck makes the process a little less tedious. Once you're approved for TSA PreCheck, you're given access to an expedited security lane without as many rules and requirements as the standard TSA line. One of the biggest perks is being able to breeze through security with your jacket, belt, and shoes on your body and your laptop and liquids in your carry-on bag.

Almost any traveler can benefit from TSA PreCheck, but families and parents flying with a baby will find the program especially useful. Traveling with a baby is challenging enough when you consider everything from packing your little one's necessities to maintaining regular nap times. Struggling to balance an infant while taking off your shoes and removing your laptop from its case means you (and your baby) will already be overwhelmed before you even board the plane.

TSA PreCheck eliminates much of this hassle. All you have to do is drop your bags on the belt, walk through a metal detector with baby in tow, and collect your items before heading to your gate. You also typically won't have to wait long in the security line, a bonus when traveling with a fussy tot. According to TSA, 99% of PreCheck passengers require less than 10 minutes to get through the checkpoint.

Not all travelers are eligible to use TSA PreCheck. You must meet a few requirements before applying for TSA PreCheck, and you'll need to pay a fee for a five-year membership. Thankfully, babies and small children are exempt from these conditions and don't need to apply for expedited screening.

As long as you're already enrolled in TSA PreCheck, your baby can accompany you without needing their own membership. This benefit lasts until the child turns 13 years old. At that age, they may only use the PreCheck lane if they're on the same reservation as an adult with PreCheck and have the PreCheck indicator printed on their boarding pass. Otherwise, they must use the regular security checkpoint.

Remember to include your Known Traveler Number (KTN) on each reservation you make so you and your baby can receive expedited screenings. This is the number assigned to you at the start of your TSA PreCheck membership. If you forget to enter your KTN in your reservation, contact the airline before departure day to make sure it's added.

Going through the TSA PreCheck lane with a baby is a mostly straightforward process, but there are a few points to keep in mind. First, keep tabs on your liquids, especially when packing large quantities of liquids for your little one. Milk and other liquids for babies are an exception to TSA's strict limits, so you generally won't have a problem bringing breast milk pouches and juice boxes through security. With that said, liquids that exceed the standard 3-1-1 rule may require additional screening. Be sure to declare your baby's liquid items to a security officer and prepare to remove them from your bag, even when using the PreCheck lane.

If your child is in a sling or carrier, walking through the metal detector will be easy-peasy. Just pass through the scanner with your baby on your back or chest. Strollers and car seats can be a little trickier. TSA requires children to be removed from their strollers or car seats and carried through the metal detector with a parent or guardian. This is true even for TSA PreCheck members, so be prepared if you choose to travel with these items.