How long to get a TSA Pre-Check?

For just TSA Pre-check? My friend did it in April of this year - had it in less than a week from start to finish.

Thanks! Now I realize maybe I should get Global Entry instead? Does that do the same thing
for domestic flights as TSA Pre-check?

Global Entry does generally include TSA Precheck and since it's only $15 more you might want to investigate Global Entry over TSA Precheck. We did already have a situation with our new Global Entry where my partner flew to Arizona on Alaska and did NOT get TSA Pre-check.

Not sure where you're posting from but there's far fewer interview sites for Global Entry than for TSA Pre-check. Do a little looking around on the Global Entry site to see where your closest interview will take place.

Took about 8 business days to get the letter with my Pre-check number.
I looked up the TSA precheck office that was nearest me, made an appointment through the TSA site.

Global entry is not managed by TSA but by Customs and Immigration.Global Entry Application I considered this in addition to TSA pre-check, but there are fewer access points available to me. And based on my experience and research, the bottlenecks are not associated with Customs and Immigration as much going through security in United States airports.

When I am going through customs and immigration when returning to US I am not concerned about missing a flight since that is my final destination.
The arrival in Europe is not an issue for me; my experience is that going though immigration in European airports is managed with more efficiency than in US airports.

Yes, Ann, my thoughts, exactly. My friend, who flies at least 250K/year agrees and got disgusted
with the Global Entry app process and dropped it. Pretty funny that here in SoCal there are 3
interview sites on the Mexican border, including the podunk town of Calexico, while the 15 million
in the LA/Orange County area have 2 places to go! In all of NoCal they ALL have to go to SFO
to be interviewed? Who is working for who?

I think we'll stick with the TSA PreCheck.

Thanks!

Reilly,
I considered getting the TSA Pre-check before my trip, & when I called to make an appointment, I was informed that it would take 45 days (after my interview) to process my information.

Just a reminder that TSA Pre✓® is offered only by the following : Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta, Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Seaborne Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country, United Airlines, Virgin America, and WestJet. So, if you are not flying one of those airlines, there is no point in applying. I don't know if it is automatic but ever since I got Global Entry, I am assigned TSA Pre most times that I fly one of the listed airlines and if I am not and show my Global Entry card at the desk, they reprint my boarding pass with TS Pre on it. It had to wait almost 6 weeks for an appointment for the interview for Global Entry at SFO in 2013 but I received my confirmation via e-mail about 2 hours later and my card about two weeks later.

I just signed up for an interview. Earliest possible in Chicago was one slot on June 28 (a cancellation), the next was July 13.

Does anyone know if it's a lifetime approval or if it's like Global Entry, with a limited time?

TSA pre check must be renewed every 5 years.
I have a credit card that pays for TSA precheck, so my cost was zero. But I would have paid because it is a game changer.

While domestically I have been automatically put in TSA pre-check when traveling solo, and that was nice, I don't see the advantage for everyone. If my various travel partners do not have pre-check or global entry, there is no point in me having it. (And they don't.) Also, as internationally I fly BA, there is also no point. Am I the only one that enjoys watching the people and process? Studying suitcases and craziness? I get to the airport in a timely manner, so I either wait in line (often no line) or wait at the gate. Coming back through the last time, I raced my seat mate who had global entry and she was only about 1-2 minutes ahead of me. On the other hand, what we often do, particularly for guests, is we have a drink at the bar next to the security lines. The receipt from the bar lets us/them skip the general line and go through the first class line, which is usually non-existent. So maybe other airports have this little secret and maybe now I've blown the secret and I'll be forced to get Global Entry...