TSA PreCheck at Atlanta airport: where the lane is and when it runs
ATL lists a TSA PreCheck lane at Domestic Terminal South and the International Terminal. CLEAR's own lane at South starts later than the checkpoint.
TSA PreCheck at ATL runs at two checkpoints: South in the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal checkpoint. ATL’s table lists no PreCheck lane at Main, North or Lower North, so a domestic trip with PreCheck starts at South. For the other checkpoints, our security page lists each one with its published hours.
Where ATL and CLEAR put the lane
ATL’s passenger security page gives each checkpoint’s hours. CLEAR’s Atlanta page gives the hours of its own CLEAR+ lanes, the ones for CLEAR members, so the two answer different questions.
| Checkpoint | ATL’s page | CLEAR’s page |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Terminal South | TSA PreCheck, PreCheck Touchless ID and CLEAR with PreCheck, 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. | CLEAR+ lane for TSA PreCheck, 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| International Terminal | Standard Screening and TSA PreCheck, 4:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. The page also lists 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. without saying which lane they belong to | CLEAR+ lanes for Standard and TSA PreCheck, 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
At South, ATL lists the checkpoint’s PreCheck lane from 4 a.m., and CLEAR lists its own CLEAR+ lane from 4:30 a.m. If you plan to use CLEAR there, 4:30 a.m. is the time to go by. ATL’s wait times page labels South a PreCheck-only checkpoint. Our PreCheck listing gives no hours.
When South is closed
Main is the checkpoint ATL lists open around the clock, with a Standard lane and no PreCheck lane. ATL doesn’t say whether PreCheck members get any shortcut there.
What PreCheck does and doesn’t promise
TSA says PreCheck lets you leave electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in your bag and keep your belt, light jacket and shoes on. TSA also says about 99% of passengers wait less than 10 minutes, and it gives no figure for ATL. It adds that it uses unpredictable security measures and that no one is guaranteed expedited screening.
To get the lane, TSA says to enter your Known Traveler Number in each airline reservation, which puts PreCheck on your boarding pass. ATL’s security page adds that PreCheck members aren’t exempt from the ID rules, so you still need a REAL ID, a passport or another acceptable ID.
South also lists a PreCheck Touchless ID lane. TSA says it needs PreCheck, a valid passport and an active profile with a participating airline (American, Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest or United) or Google Wallet.
What it costs and where to enroll
TSA says five years of benefits cost $85 or less, and lists three enrollment providers with these prices:
| Provider | Price on TSA’s page |
|---|---|
| CLEAR | $84.95 |
| IDEMIA | $79.75 |
| Telos | $85.00 |
ATL’s page says to apply online, then book an interview and fingerprinting at an enrollment center. ATL’s pages name no PreCheck enrollment center at the airport. CLEAR’s page lists a PreCheck enrollment point at Domestic Terminal North, on the departures level near the checkpoint entrance, with its own hours, though the same page says that enrollment point was still planning to open. If you have both, our CLEAR Plus with TSA Pre listing is the one for the combined lane.
Children 17 and under can join an adult in the PreCheck lane for free, according to TSA.
Sources
- Our security page, PreCheck listing, South checkpoint listing, Touchless ID listing, and CLEAR Plus with TSA Pre listing
- ATL’s passenger security page and wait times page, TSA’s PreCheck and PreCheck Touchless ID pages, and CLEAR’s Hartsfield-Jackson page