GREAT FALLS, Montana - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that residents of Cascade County, Montana, and surrounding areas can make an appointment now to enroll in TSA PreCheck® at a temporary enrollment center that will be open for five consecutive days starting Monday, May 24, 2021.
The temporary enrollment center will be located at Great Falls International Airport’s (GTF) airport security office next to the big grizzly bear. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Appointments are currently available Tuesday through Friday with the greatest availability on Wednesday and Thursday. Walk-ins will be accommodated throughout the day each day, but appointments are highly recommended. The airport is located at 2800 Terminal Drive in Great Falls.
There is no permanent TSA PreCheck enrollment center located in Great Falls, so the temporary availability at GTF is a convenient and timely opportunity to become a Trusted Traveler ahead of the summer travel season.
At airports across the country, people can “Travel with Ease” and experience a smoother screening process by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. Eligible travelers do not need to remove shoes, belts, light outerwear, laptops, electronics larger than a cell phone or travel-size liquids from carry-on luggage.
In April 2021, 98% of travelers eligible for TSA PreCheck waited five minutes or less to be screened at airports nationwide. Another benefit of the program is that children 12 and under are permitted to use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with an eligible parent or guardian on the same itinerary.
As an added benefit during the COVID-19 pandemic, TSA PreCheck travelers generally have the least amount of physical contact during the security screening process in the TSA checkpoint. For people who want to put their mind at ease to “Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.” when traveling, they should make plans to enroll in TSA PreCheck while it is available at Great Falls.
An in-person visit to the enrollment center is required to complete the application process. Applicants must bring a current U.S. passport or a driver license and a certified copy of a birth certificate. Fingerprints will be collected during enrollment.
People are strongly encouraged to begin the enrollment process online. Start by visiting www.tsa.gov/precheck and select “Apply Now.” Follow the online prompts, enter the requested information and select “Great Falls, MT” as the enrollment location.
The enrollment fee is $85, which covers a five-year period. The fee must be paid at the time of enrollment by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check.
To date, more than 10.9 million people have enrolled in TSA PreCheck. Seventy-nine airlines, including domestic and international carriers, participate in TSA PreCheck, giving travelers even more options and reasons to enroll in the program. All of the airlines that serve GTF - Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines - participate in TSA PreCheck giving local travelers an extra incentive to enroll in the program.