I’m in a bit of a bind. I have to get TSA PreCheck, but I really don’t want to give up my biometric data to the government. I’ve read that TSA PreCheck requires my fingerprints and possibly my photo (it’s unclear). Interesting, though, is that when you’re enrolled in PreCheck you do not get fingerprinted when passing through the airport.

So, I plan to fill in my fingerprints with superglue when I sign up for PreCheck. Weak fingerprints are a condition that affect a lot of people – construction and farm workers, chemo patients, or some people just have it genetically – so I don’t think it will be too weird if my fingerprints don’t show up well in the scan. From what I’ve read (FlyerTalk, Washington Post) you can still get PreCheck even if you have weak fingerprints. And, since they don’t check my fingerprints at the airport, I’m not worried about ever having to match this scan.

My face is effectively a lost cause at this point, so I’m not gonna sweat that one.

My questions.

  • Is there any reason my fingerprint plan won’t work?
  • The PreCheck sign-up process is run by private companies (Idemia, Telos, Clear) and I can choose which one to use. I am going to rule out Clear. Is there any advantage between using Idemia or Telos?
  • Is there anything else I should know before signing up?

EDIT: Wow, these replies are so useless, I had to check to make sure I wasn’t on reddit!

  • Moose@moose.best
    16·
    1 day ago

    I’m sorry you don’t think people are being helpful but I don’t think the replies are useless, they just aren’t what you want to hear. This is a bad idea, have you considered what would happen if you get caught? You’d be lying on a government form, the TSA can fine up to $17,000 and potentially limit you from flying (which sounds necessary for your career). It’s up to you to choose but I would much rather ask my company to waive the requirement and explain why you feel that way before taking a risk like that.