I've hear horror stories lately. Has anyone flown out of there in the last couple of weeks? I have an 8am flight next Saturday morning (Memorial Day weekend) to Indianapolis to head up for the 500. What time should I plan on getting to the airport? I was thinking 5am.

Only time I've found it a little slow was after a big COTA race or sxsw, or spring break. Must have Precheck though and for Southwest A list preferred really helps to skip the kiosks. Seems the busiest times are around 5:30-7:00. We will see in the morning for a 6:05 flight out.

ABIA is recommending 2.5 to 3 hours before departure.

I've flown out twice in the last couple weeks and here are my data points. I have precheck and traveled with just a carry on, but got the story from others I talked to one flight.

1. Sunday afternoon flight, got to the airport around 1. 3 checkpoints open and full lines, but not extending past normal waiting areas. Precheck was only open in one checkpoint and took about 10 mins. The guy next to me on my flight had no special access, arrived around noon, and said it took him about an hour and 15 mins to get through.

2. Tuesday afternoon flight. Arrived around 2pm. No wait for precheck and normal line only had maybe 15 people in it.

3 hours seems crazy early, but I haven't been there when they have one of their lines out the door days. If you do get there early, there are plenty of breakfast tacos to be has while you wait.

If you have to check bags without having a premium/priority ticket, be prepared for a line.

If you do not have precheck or a premium/priority ticket, expect a line.

If you have those, you will have it easy. Otherwise I would plan on extra time. (perhaps 2-hours for your flight)

Precheck was usual 10-15 people. Regular screening was lined up all the way back to even with the Southwest kiosks. Not sure how you can fly without precheck anymore. If you get there early hit the Salt Lick for the Big Tex Burrito.

Don't fly out of ABIA on a Sunday morning. Awful.

We flew out this AM. Got there about 0400 for 0530 flight. We had boarding passes on phone, pre-check, and carryon. Got through in five minutes. They had quite a few staff directing traffic and facilitating movement. I will say it was pretty busy for that time of day.

How do you get pre check?

Identigo in Austin

We have Global Entry and get pre-check with that. About to get Clear, which I think is faster than pre-check.

Just did the online application for Preacheck but appointments are out all the way until June. Is there any way to get in sooner?

Not sure, we got ours years ago. I think the popularity and pandemic have led to those months-long waits.

ReloadAg said:

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Just did the online application for Preacheck but appointments are out all the way until June. Is there any way to get in sooner?

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They used to do the appointments at ABIA at one time I think , might call just to check and see about availability

Yes that was one of the available locations. I'll call Monday and see if they can slot me in this week.

Even if you have an appointment in May, it'll take a few weeks after that for them to finish your background check and issue you a KTN. It's highly unlikely you'll get it before your scheduled flights.

Once you do have it, it is still up to you to add your KTN to your iteneraray. It's not automatic.

BeowulfShaeffer said:

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Even if you have an appointment in May, it'll take a few weeks after that for them to finish your background check and issue you a KTN. It's highly unlikely you'll get it before your scheduled flights.

Once you do have it, it is still up to you to add your KTN to your iteneraray. It's not automatic.

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It took 3 days to get my KTN.

Look for an appointment outside austin. I did mine in temple. Was able to schedule it about a week out.

BeowulfShaeffer said:

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Even if you have an appointment in May, it'll take a few weeks after that for them to finish your background check and issue you a KTN. It's highly unlikely you'll get it before your scheduled flights.

Once you do have it, it is still up to you to add your KTN to your iteneraray. It's not automatic.

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I got mine at ABIA about 3 months ago, no appointment, just walked up. There was no one there.

How long did it take for them to finish your background check?

I flew out 3 times last month, leaving on Thursday, and have had zero issues with PreCheck. well worth it.

ReloadAg said:

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How long did it take for them to finish your background check?

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I did the application on line a day or two in advance. But my total time in the cubicle with the TSA agent was maybe 5 min. I had a KTN the next day.

We flew out on 5/12 at 10 am. Got there at 8 am and got through the lines in about 5-10 minutes. Don't know if we just got lucky or what. I had heard the horror stories too but fortunately, didn't have any problems.

I'd recommend downloading the My TSA app and you can check the wait times in the app for the airport(s).

Thanks