25 Oct 2023

What is TSA PreCheck? Everything you need to know

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Raychelle Heath | Bankrate (TNS)

Many travelers are looking forward to a much-awaited vacation this year. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), daily traveler numbers for 2023 are approaching pre-pandemic (2019) levels.

If you’ve been considering applying for TSA PreCheck to streamline the process of airport security, here’s your guide to how it works, the interview process and more, along with some tips for using your membership for the first time.

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) designed to expedite the process of getting through airport security. The program is managed by the TSA and gives passengers access to special security lines at participating airports in the United States. TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 (previously $85) and is good for five years.

TSA PreCheck is available in more than 200 airports and with 85 airlines across the United States. When you get to the security line after check-in, an agent will direct you to the PreCheck line after confirming your membership via your boarding pass.

This membership allows you to keep your light jacket, shoes and belt on, and liquids and electronics (like laptops) can stay inside your luggage, too. Then, it’s as simple as walking through a security scanner and you’re good to go to your gate.

How to participate in TSA PreCheck

Becoming a member of the TSA PreCheck program will require a few steps, starting with your application. To apply for TSA PreCheck, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident. There is no age restriction for applicants, and children of age 12 and under can use their parents’ or guardians’ memberships and need not officially apply.

Once you’ve applied with an enrollment provider, you’ll need to schedule an appointment at an enrollment center to complete a background check and fingerprinting. At this appointment, you’ll pay your membership fee and find out if you’ve been approved. Once you’ve been approved, you’ll receive a known traveler number (KTN) that you can use whenever you book a flight. It can take up to 60 days to receive your KTN, but most applicants receive their KTN within three to five days.

Complete the online application

The application for TSA PreCheck can be found on the TSA website under “Apply Now.” When completing your application, it’s very important that your name appears exactly as it does on your government identification. Some of the information you’ll need includes:

—Full name

—Date of birth

—Gender

—Preferred language

—A preferred method of contact (email or phone)

When you complete your application, you’ll be directed to set your appointment for your background check and fingerprinting, and you’ll be given a list of enrollment centers to choose from in your area. You’ll also have the opportunity to set a time and date for your appointment.

Complete the in-person interview at an enrollment center

TSA PreCheck allows walk-ins for interviews, but applicants with appointments are prioritized. Appointments are scheduled to last about 10 minutes (if the enrollment center is busy, it may take a bit longer). It’s best to schedule a TSA PreCheck appointment while completing your application, and the earlier you can schedule it, the better. You’ll be given the option to choose from a variety of enrollment centers in your area, along with different days and times.

At your appointment, you’ll be required to present approved identification documents. This includes an unexpired U.S. passport or else a valid photo ID and a document that meets citizenship requirements (such as a U.S. birth certificate). You’ll also be fingerprinted and pay your membership fee. Membership fees are nonrefundable and can be paid with a credit card, debit card, money order, company check or certified/cashier’s check.

The interview itself is pretty low-key. You’ll be asked to verify the information on your application and may also be asked about your employment history and travel habits. If you have any criminal history, you should be prepared to give more information about that.

How to get TSA Precheck for free

Getting the most out of TSA PreCheck actually starts before you use the service. In fact, many travel credit cards provide a statement credit to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership. So, if you have an eligible credit card — like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, for example — you’ll get reimbursed up to $100 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

To receive the credit, you’ll simply pay the fee with your eligible credit card. Also check out Bankrate’s travel toolkit for tips and tricks on how to maximize travel with a credit card.

Using TSA PreCheck for the first time

Once you have your TSA PreCheck membership, here are some tips that can help you make the most of it:

—Make sure you use your KTN whenever you book a flight to ensure TSA PreCheck shows up on your boarding pass.

—If you’re a frequent flyer, add your KTN to your profile.

—Do online check-in for your flight 24 hours ahead of time to make sure your PreCheck status is there. If it isn’t, contact the airline.

—Arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of your flight to make sure your PreCheck status is confirmed (if you aren’t able to do so online or by phone).

—Be sure you are traveling through an airport with TSA PreCheck services.

Does one TSA PreCheck membership work for families?

The short answer to this question is no. TSA PreCheck membership doesn’t automatically transfer to your family members. The one exception is children of age 12 and under. Children in this age category can go through the TSA PreCheck line with a parent or guardian who has membership in the program.

Children of ages 13 to 17 may also be able to use the TSA PreCheck lane if they’re traveling with a parent or guardian who has TSA PreCheck and if they have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their boarding pass. However, their use of the lane is not guaranteed, and they may be required to go through standard security screening.

How to update personal information for TSA PreCheck

Your TSA PreCheck membership is good for five years. If during that time your personal information changes, you’ll need to update it as soon as you can with the provider that enrolled with. The most direct way to do so is to call it at 855-347-8371 (for IDEMIA) or 833-777-1811 (for Telos), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. You can also send an inquiry online to get information about how to change your personal information. This may take a little longer, however, because you will have to wait for a response.

The bottom line

If you do any domestic travel, having TSA PreCheck can be a real perk. Participating in this Trusted Traveler Program will enable you to breeze through security lines. While there is a membership fee of $78 to participate in this program, several credit cards offer members credits that cover this application fee. There are other Trusted Traveler Programs from the government that offer different benefits. If you’re looking to have a quicker re-entry into the U.S. after international travel, Global Entry is the program to look at — and it includes TSA PreCheck membership, too.

________

Key takeaways

—TSA PreCheck membership can help you get through airport security faster.

—With TSA PreCheck, you can keep a light jacket, shoes and belt on, and you won’t have to remove your laptop or liquids from your bag.

—To apply for TSA PreCheck, you’ll need to fill out a short online form and complete an in-person appointment at an enrollment center.

—Many travel credit cards offer a statement credit to cover the entire cost of TSA PreCheck membership (currently $78).

©2023 Bankrate online. Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

25 Oct 2023

Derrick White re-emphasizes commitment to Celtics despite not reaching contract extension

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NEW YORK — Derrick White and the Celtics did not come to an agreement on a contract extension before the deadline on Monday at 11:59 p.m., but the guard seems encouraged with how the talks went.

White, who has two years remaining on his current contract, re-emphasized his commitment to Boston even after the two sides couldn’t make a deal.

“They were good,” White said of the extension talks. “I mean, like I said, I love being here, obviously, we got another year after this year, so we’ll focus on it then. But, I think they went well and I want to be here for a long time so that hasn’t changed.”

“It’s just back and forth,” White continued of the talks. “I think we’re both in a good position and we’re just focused on the season now.”

White is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, so there didn’t seem to be urgency to get a deal done now. The two sides will have to wait until next summer to resume talks.

White could benefit from waiting if he has another impressive season in 2023-24 as he could command more money, and the C’s are tied to other commitments right now. They just signed Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis to extensions this summer, and the team is expected to offer the supermax to Jayson Tatum next summer. Jrue Holiday is also extension-eligible in February.

Those commitments could eventually make things complicated for the Celtics to lock in White, whose extension would likely start around $30 million per season. But that’s a conversation for the future now. White, a critical piece of Boston’s championship hopes this season, is keeping his focus on that.

“I think we got a good bond right now and we know what’s important right now,” White said. “And so that’s what we’re focusing on.”

25 Oct 2023

How Mike Johnson won an impossible job

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Mike Johnson’s anonymity in Washington was a driving force in his election as speaker, making him perhaps the only Republican to escape the House’s widespread feuding.

His novice status won’t help with the burden of actually governing.

The Louisianan with a distinct drawl on Wednesday became the unlikely leader to an unruly group of House Republicans that will now rely on him to run their side of the Capitol. He was next to no one’s first pick, but the onetime No. 7 Republican was shielded from much of the intraparty political drama that tanked speaker picks before him — from Kevin McCarthy to Jim Jordan to Tom Emmer.

“Politics is like the fight business. The longer you’re in it, the more you get beat up,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), explaining Johnson’s survival.

Other than his conservative reputation and leading role in challenging the 2020 election, most senators have had little or no personal contact with Johnson. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he’s never met the Louisianan and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer does not know him at all, according to the New Yorker’s office.

Instead of a powerhouse fundraiser like McCarthy or pugnacious wrestler like Jordan, the House’s first evangelical speaker takes the job as a policy-minded, ideological purist. He’s known to carry a copy of the Constitution and harbors big dreams on spending cuts and social issues that don’t stand a chance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Now, Johnson — miraculously unscathed from the 22-day battle — must figure out how to achieve what McCarthy couldn’t: compromise that doesn’t prompt a mutiny.

The ex-speaker’s ouster may have somewhat sated conservatives’ anger, but Johnson still faces steep challenges. First, and most immediately, will be avoiding a government shutdown on Nov. 17. Then he’ll quickly have to find some middle ground with the Senate on aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the Southern border.

Most senators could not pick the bespectacled Republican out of a line-up on Wednesday: “That’s an apt question, but no, I couldn’t,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

That may not bode well for Johnson’s negotiating ability, as he faces a crush of deadlines, a thin majority and the ever-present threat of being ousted himself. Not to mention, Johnson will be going up against two Senate leaders who have now worked together for nearly seven years atop their chamber.

Being such a cypher could be an advantage for Johnson — who could be the “tabula Rasa speaker,” as Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) put it.

“I could give you a narrative about anyone being a good choice at this point. We just need a warm body at this point, right? And I think he qualifies,” Young said as he dipped into a subway train.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), after hearing that assessment, commented dryly as Young stood beside her: “A high standard.”

Many of Johnson’s colleagues aren’t surprised he stumbled into the top perch, though some acknowledge he might have preferred the far easier role of Judiciary chair under a theoretical Speaker Jordan. If there’s any quirkiness to his personality, it’s in the spot-on impressions of his colleagues that Johnson sometimes does in private meetings.

Internally, though, Johnson is cautious and strategic about his intraparty alliances. After leading the conservative, highly ideological Republican Study Committee — the largest caucus in the Capitol— he leapfrogged to the low-key role of House GOP vice chair. The jobs allowed Johnson to largely remain unnoticed compared to higher-ranking GOP leaders, avoiding clashes with various, often warring factions of his party.

He’s also intentionally laid low when it comes to intra-leadership races: When an earlier speakership vote pitted Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), a member of his own delegation, against the grassroots’ beloved Jordan, Johnson side-stepped any endorsement altogether.

“It looks to me like it helped him over there,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), of Johnson’s relative fresh political slate. “The real work begins now … to pass anything, you have to go get Democratic votes. You don’t have to be Einstein’s cousin to figure that out.”

That necessity will remain a sticking point, as Johnson’s party recovers from the deep wounds inflicted by the debilitating speakership fight. The House GOP is still reeling from McCarthy’s abrupt dismissal three weeks ago, as open animosity against the so-called “Gaetz eight” refuses to dissipate. And Johnson may have to make up ground in both factions of the party.

He’s drawn praise from at least one of those defectors: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Johnson’s promise to the party that he’ll move spending bills on the floor “gives us a lot of hope.”

Calling Johnson a “good, godly man,” Gaetz also — so far — seemed unbothered by how Johnson might handle the upcoming Nov. 17 funding deadline, after he used the previous spending drama to trigger McCarthy’s firing: “Whether or not we have to have any sort of stopgap government bridge, I’m sure that’s something we’ll address in the coming days.”

Johnson is proposing a temporary funding patch lasting at least until Jan. 15, with little specifics on whether it will contain the blunt spending cuts that McCarthy pushed to appease conservatives. Such a stopgap would help to appease centrists, but it’s not the only area where that faction plans to pressure their new speaker.

Some centrists privately begrudge Johnson for spearheading an argument that there was a constitutional basis for not certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral win in 2020. As a former lawyer for a Christian legal advocacy group, many of his colleagues embraced his reasoning that it was unconstitutional for states to change their voting procedures during the pandemic.

Emmer’s speakership bid went down in part over his vote to certify the election, which became a bigger obstacle as Donald Trump got involved and attacked Emmer relentlessly. Johnson doesn’t have that problem, but he still will face scrutiny: On Tuesday night, Republicans literally booed an ABC reporter for broaching the subject of the 2020 election.

“It would be my preference to have someone [as speaker] who stood by the reality that President Biden won,” said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). “They know it was not stolen. But they don’t want to have to say it because if they do, then Donald Trump comes after them.”

Still, Johnson remains in better standing with GOP hardliners than virtually anyone else in leadership. Those members see him as more “purely conservative,” in the words of one GOP aide, than others in leadership — his vote against the stopgap spending bill last month is considered a point in his favor.

Part of Johnson’s appeal, his colleagues say, comes down to their trust in his character. As a practicing Southern Baptist, he comes from the northern chunk of Louisiana that’s more Bible Belt than Mardi Gras (some Lousianans refer to it as “Southern Arkansas.”). He even founded the “Civility Caucus,” drafting a pledge with former Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) that states that “our political rivals in Congress are not our enemies.”

Perhaps that’s the mindset that allowed Johnson to do what more than a dozen of his colleagues could not: Win the gavel.

“For all the things that Kevin McCarthy did — both good or bad — there’s always baggage there,” said Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas). “You know what they say in Batman: Either you die the hero or you live long enough to become the villain.”

Jordain Carney and Daniella Diaz contributed to this report.

25 Oct 2023

Novelist’s ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ hits the big screen

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When novelist Karen Dionne learned her 2017 best-selling psychological thriller, “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” was being adapted into a movie, she had to pinch herself.

“I’m pretty much black and blue from pinching myself and you can quote me on that!” said the former Shelby Township resident, laughing. “I have a fair number of writer friends whose books have been optioned. It’s not as rare as you think, but of those whose materials have been optioned and have been made (into a movie) – whether it’s in the theaters or went straight to streaming – is small. The number who have had it made (into a movie) for a theatrical release is smaller yet. I have no idea what the numbers are, but it’s definitely pinchworthy.”

Karen Dionne

In “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” Helena Pelletier is happily married with a loving husband and two beautiful daughters. But she has a dark past she hoped would stay buried. Her father, Jacob Holbrook, alias the Marsh King, abducted her mother and she was born two years later. Helena was raised in captivity in the marshlands of the Upper Peninsula. Eventually, Helena escaped her father’s thrall and Jacob went to prison.

More than 20 years pass and Jacob escapes from prison. After murdering two guards, he’s disappeared into the marshlands. The police launch a manhunt, but Helena knows they haven’t a prayer since that is his domain. The only person who can bring down Jacob is the one person trained by him: Helena.

“Every once in a while you read a book that’s so good, you can’t look up until you finish. It’s so clear and specific and moving that you know it’s the book the author was meant to write. (The book), set in the U.P., is indelible in every way: setting, story, and character,” said Robin Agnew, former owner of Aunt Agatha’s bookstore in Ann Arbor.

Opening Friday, Nov. 3, “The Marsh King’s Daughter” stars Daisy Ridley (Rey in the 2015-19 “Star Wars” sequel trilogy) and Ben Mendelsohn (“Captain Marvel”). Adapted for the screen by Mark L. Smith (“The Revenant”), “Daughter” is directed by Neil Burger (“Divergent”).

Garrett Hedlund starts in “The Marsh Kings Daughter”(Photo courtesy of Philippe Bosse/Roadside Attractions)

Dionne’s involvement in the movie has been “pretty close to zero,” in her own words.

“When my literary agent sent (the ‘Daughter’) manuscript around to editors to see if anyone wanted to publish the book, he sent me an email, ‘By the way, you also have a film agent.’ Honestly, my first thought was, ‘I guess it could be a movie.’ I did not think movie for one second when I was writing the book because I was writing the book!” she explained.

Dionne praised Ridley, Mendelsohn, and Smith.

“I have zero screenwriting experience and didn’t even picture my book as a movie, whereas (Smith) is super-talented. I was more than happy to hand off the adaptation to him,” she said. “I’ve seen an early version of the movie and (Ridley) is fantastic. I had no idea she could deliver such a nuanced performance and I really think she captures Helena’s push-pull relationship with father. I’m very impressed. … (Mendelsohn) is so creepy. He’s fantastic. He epitomizes Jacob.”

A Grosse Pointe North High School alumna, Dionne attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She wrote three novels – 2008’s “Freezing Point,” 2011’s “Boiling Point,” and 2014’s “The Killing: Uncommon Denominator” – before breaking out with “The Marsh King’s Daughter” six years ago.

The book has earned many awards and accolades. It won the Barry Award for Best Novel. It’s been translated into 27 languages. Not only was it a best-seller in the United States, but also in Germany, Sweden, and Iceland. The New York Times and People Magazine gave it rave reviews.

The book cover of “The Marsh King’s Daughter” (Photo courtesy of Karen Dionne)

“My first three books had modest success. (Regarding the book’s reception), I often say that you’d have to take all of my previous publishing experience, combine it, and then supersize it to equal what’s happened to me with ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter,’” Dionne said. “On my website, if you go to the ‘about’ page and click on my ‘awards’ tab, it’s crazy how many booksellers, newspapers, bloggers and authors chose it as one of their best books of the year the year it came out. There’s a long list there. Those are just some of the highlights that distinguish (‘Daughter’) from my early novels.”

Her first two novels were science-based thrillers and the third was based on the 2011-14 AMC series “The Killing.”

“What I discovered after ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ is psychological suspense is my forte and this is what I should’ve been writing all along,” Dionne said. “Just because an author begins their career writing a certain kind of book, it doesn’t mean that’s where their strengths lie. I’m fortunate to discover the kind of fiction I happen to be very good at. … By pushing myself to do something different, I discovered I was a better writer than I realized.”

To date, Dionne has penned five novels. “The Wicked Sister,” which also occurs in Michigan, came out in 2020. She is in the finishing stages of her sixth novel, which is set primarily in Grand Marais and has a climatic fight scene on Lake Superior in a fishing boat during a storm.

“‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ uses the marshland as its main setting. ‘Wicked Sister’ takes place in the forest. The Great Lakes are such a huge part of Michigan, particularly in the U.P., so I wanted to use that as the main setting of the third book,” she explained.

“‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ could be set nowhere else but the U.P., and Dionne is an amazingly evocative and vivid writer describing her setting,” Agnew said. “While I grew up in Michigan and spent my summers ‘up north,’ entering the U.P. always felt like I was going to a different country, and Dionne is (an) expert in portraying that feeling.”

Alongside New York Times best-selling author Hank Phillippi Ryan, Dionne co-hosts The Back Room, an online conversation from 7-9 p.m. Sundays. Started in 2020, it features four authors who discuss their books. Ryan and Dionne do a brief interview with the authors, who are then divided into four breakout rooms for 15 minutes, giving the audience the opportunity to have a discussion with their favorite authors.

Dionne and Ryan have hosted best-selling authors Linwood Barclay, Jeff Abbott, May Cobb, Don Bentley, Kathy Reichs, Samantha Downing, Michael Koryta, Mark Greaney, Yasmin Angoe, Brian Freeman, Gregg Hurwitz, Paula Munier and more. The Nov. 5 event will feature Tess Gerritsen. The Nov. 12 event – the last for the fall – will feature Jacquelyn Mitchard and Farmington Hills author Stephen Mack Jones.

“Karen is a treasure,” Ryan said. “She is brilliantly, amazingly, consistently generous and thoughtful, and absolutely one of the most humble and respectful people I have ever met. Karen somehow manages to be completely confident while being supremely grateful. Her joy and love for life and family is unmatched – and so is her talent for her beloved writing craft. Diligent, hard-working, and the authentic real deal. I am so thrilled with all the amazing buzz about the movie.”

Dionne has a message for those who’ve read the book and plan to see the movie.

“When fans see the movie, I hope they realize it’s (an) adaptation of my book, not a recreation,” she said. “I’d like them and sit back and enjoy (the) movie for what it is. They can go back later and compare the movie to the book.”

Visit Dionne at karen-dionne.com. For more information about The Back Room, visit the-back-room.org.