If you plan to travel by plane any time soon and want to apply for TSA PreCheck that provides expedited pre-flight security screening, you can do so in downtown Jackson.
In June, the city of Jackson Department of the Municipal Clerk opened an enrollment center that can take applications for PreCheck and several other programs administered by the Transportation Security Administration.
“We average about 50 customers a day,” said Meagan Ghosa, public information officer for the city of Jackson. “Everything is going well.”
The enrollment center is located in the building that once housed the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership at 201 S. President St. It is open from 8:30 a.m. until noon and from 1-5p.m. Monday through Friday. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, anyone entering the office must wear a face covering unless exempted due to age or health.
Before the center opened in Jackson, metro area residents had to drive to an enrollment center in Vicksburg to apply for TSA PreCheck.
Appointments are recommended and may be made by going to www.identogo.com. Walk-ins are also welcome.
A PreCheck application requires a nonrefundable enrollment fee of $8. The fee maintains one’s eligibility for five years and covers the operational costs associated with the background check.
If approved, an individual receives a notification letter with an assigned Known Traveler Number (KTN) via U.S. mail typically within two to three weeks after applying. The assigned KTN must be used when booking travel.
PreCheck affords travelers an expedited pre-flight screening check. Among the advantages, travelers don’t have to take off their shoes, belts or light jackets during the screening nor do they have to take computers or electronic devices out of their bags. At many airports, there are also dedicated PreCheck lines, which move passengers much faster than traditional lines.
In addition to PreCheck services, individuals may also obtain Transportation Workers’ Identification Credential cards and the Hazardous Materials Endorsement assessment at the center in Jackson.
A Transportation Worker Identification Credential card is required for an individual needing to access secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels, according to the TSA website.
The HAZMAT Endorsement Threat Assessment Program is needed for individuals with commercial licenses who transport hazardous materials on the interstate highway system.
The city of Jackson began working on a TSA office in 2014 as a way to generate revenue. U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson recommended looking into PreCheck processing.
In 2019, unrelated to the city’s attempt in 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration contacted the Jackson city clerk at the time and inquired about a possible location in Jackson for a PreCheck enrollment center.
Kim Lewis, communications and destinations manager at Visit Jackson, considers the center a plus for individuals in the metro area. “We’re happy to have it here in the capital city,” she said, noting that Visit Jackson supplies the office with visitor guides and has looked into adding a mural to one of the office walls.
