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I started traveling a lot for work around 2010. I’ve used that experience to write many travel articles giving tips and tricks to make traveling easier despite the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis. This is an article that I never thought I’d write until my 16-year-old son convinced me that I needed to get TSA precheck. As a dad, I hate to admit it, but he was right. 

TSA Precheck is a game changer for those of us living with MS, but maybe not for the reasons you think. Most people think that TSA Precheck is just a way of cutting the TSA line, so it saves you a couple of minutes over waiting in the big line. I was one of those people who believed that. I tend not to spend money on convenience items for myself. Why would I spend the money just to cut the security line? It didn’t seem worth it to me. I mean, if I was running late and needed to upgrade to priority, I could get to the head of the line anyway. Spoiler alert, I did that more times than it would have cost for a TSA Precheck enrollment, so I lost money on that. 

The real benefit of TSA Precheck I have found for someone living with MS is that TSA Precheck is a process that is makes life easier. With TSA Precheck, I no longer have to take off my shoes. While that may seem insignificant to a layperson, to someone living with MS that is a big deal. Especially me, because I have custom orthotics that make it hard to slide my shoes on and off. I also have neck problems associated with MS that make it hard to sit and bend over at the airport benches when I have to put my shoes back on. From a quality-of-life standpoint, not having to take off my shoes has made all the difference.

Other benefits to TSA Precheck include not having to take out larger electronics, such as my laptop, from my bag. As small as this may sound, in the regular TSA line, I would have to hold my shoes, repack my computer, and gather my other stuff, all while others are waiting to grab their items off the conveyer belt. With MS, I don’t move as fast as I used to, so I always felt pressured from other travelers to hurry. With TSA Precheck, I no longer have that worry when I travel. Another benefit is not having to stand in the X-ray machine with my hands over my head for three seconds. As I mentioned before, I have neck issues, and keeping my hands raised over my head is uncomfortable, even for three seconds. As an aside, they also see my cervical fusion plate in that X-ray scan but have never asked me any questions about it.

Back to the obvious benefit, yes, TSA Precheck does save a lot of time. Not only does it save time waiting in the line, but the process itself is much faster because I don’t have to take off my shoes, take out my electronics, or wait for the X-ray scan. I drop my bag on the belt, walk through the metal detector, grab my bag on the other side of the belt, and head to the gate. I have had TSA Precheck for my past three flights, and it has saved at least a half-an-hour each time. The time savings does help reduce the stress of travel, so there is an added benefit there. 

Finally, the cost. My son was the one who pointed out that I spent more on upgrading to priority than what I would on TSA Precheck. Upgrading to priority gets you to the front of the TSA line, but you have to still take off your shoes, take out your computer, etc. The cost of TSA Precheck is $78 for five years. That means that if you fly once a year, it is about $15.60 per round trip over five years. Not bad right? Considering I was spending $20 each way for priority (where available). Talk about being pennywise and pound foolish.

As a side note, for those who fly internationally, I recommend enrolling in Global Entry. Global Entry includes TSA Precheck in the enrollment and also gets you to the head of the customs line.

Knowing what I know now, I would have enrolled in TSA Precheck a long time ago. As someone living with MS, I find the benefits outweigh the cost. Now, I do travel a lot for work, but I would recommend TSA Precheck to anyone living with MS, who takes at least one round trip flight per year.