Yes, MCO has TSA PreCheck lanes in all main terminals, giving eligible travelers faster screening with shoes, laptops and 3-1-1 liquids left in bags.
Orlando International Airport stays busy, and the security line can set the tone for your trip. If you use TSA PreCheck, knowing how it works at MCO helps you choose a better checkpoint and arrival time.
Does MCO Have TSA PreCheck? What Travelers Get
The short answer to “does mco have tsa precheck?” is yes. MCO is one of the airports on the official TSA PreCheck map, and it offers dedicated lanes in the North Terminal complex (Terminals A and B) and in the newer South Terminal C. If your boarding pass shows the TSA PreCheck indicator and the lane is open, you can use it.
TSA PreCheck members can usually keep shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops, and 3-1-1 liquids in their bags during screening, which keeps the line moving and cuts down on tray juggling. According to the TSA PreCheck program page, these benefits apply across all participating airports, including Orlando.
MCO notes that TSA PreCheck lanes normally run from early morning to late evening, with regular hours starting around 4:00 a.m. and wrapping up close to 8:30 p.m., though exact times can shift with flight schedules. Overnight or late flights may use standard lanes only.
| Option At MCO | Who It Suits | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard TSA Security | Travelers without any expedited screening | All hours when checkpoints are open |
| TSA PreCheck Lanes | Travelers with TSA PreCheck on the boarding pass | Most days from early morning to mid evening |
| CLEAR Plus | Members who want faster ID checks | Used before Standard or TSA PreCheck screening |
| TSA PreCheck + CLEAR | Frequent flyers who value time savings | Fast ID check followed by expedited screening |
| Family Lanes | Adults with strollers, car seats, or small kids | Gives extra time and space at security |
| International Departures | Travelers leaving the US from MCO | Often eligible for TSA PreCheck at departure |
| International Arrivals | Travelers returning to the US | TSA PreCheck does not apply to passport control |
| Global Entry Kiosks | Frequent international travelers | Speeds up arrivals; separate from TSA PreCheck |
TSA PreCheck At Orlando MCO: Terminals, Lanes, And Hours
To use TSA PreCheck smoothly, match your airline and gate to the right checkpoint. Orlando’s layout can feel confusing on a first visit, since Terminals A and B share a central building with two large security areas, while Terminal C sits in a separate complex to the south.
North Terminal: Terminals A And B
Terminals A and B share two main checkpoints: West and East. The West checkpoint serves Gates 1–59, while the East checkpoint serves Gates 70–129. Both usually have dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes during the core part of the day. Signs in the ticketing hall and overhead boards show which airlines route through each checkpoint.
Normal TSA PreCheck hours at these checkpoints often start around 4:00 a.m. and run until close to 8:00 or 8:30 p.m. If you fly out before sunrise or on a late-night departure, the lane may open later or close earlier. For the latest details, MCO’s own security information page gives current details.
South Terminal: Terminal C
Terminal C at MCO handles a mix of domestic and international flights. TSA PreCheck lanes are available here as well, though hours can differ slightly from the North Terminal checkpoints and may depend on daily schedules.
The checkpoint in Terminal C connects to its own group of gates and offers both regular screening and expedited lanes. CLEAR operates in this terminal too, and TSA now partners with CLEAR as an official PreCheck enrollment provider at the airport.
When TSA PreCheck Lines Are Busiest
Peaks at MCO hit in the early morning bank of departures, late morning, and late afternoon. During those times, TSA PreCheck lanes still tend to move faster than standard lines, but you may not breeze through in just a few minutes, especially around holidays and school breaks.
How To Use TSA PreCheck At MCO Without Stress
Before You Book Or Check In
First, make sure your TSA PreCheck membership is active and that your Known Traveler Number appears in your airline profile. Most major airlines that fly from MCO allow you to store a KTN in your frequent flyer account so it auto-loads every time you book.
Next, match your name on the reservation to the name on your TSA PreCheck account and travel ID. The system is sensitive to middle names, hyphens, and spelling. If your name does not match, the TSA PreCheck indicator may not show on your boarding pass.
When you check in online or at a kiosk, confirm that the TSA PreCheck symbol appears on the digital or printed boarding pass. If it is missing, edit your passenger details to re-enter the KTN or ask an agent at the check-in desk to refresh your record.
Picking The Right Line At The Airport
Once you reach the ticketing hall, follow signs for your terminal and checkpoint. Overhead boards and wall signs list which airlines use West or East checkpoints and whether TSA PreCheck is available there. Keep your ID and boarding pass in hand until you pass the document check.
After that, place your bags on the belt and follow the directions from TSA officers. In a TSA PreCheck lane you usually keep shoes, belt, light jacket, laptop, and 3-1-1 liquids inside your carry-on, unless an officer gives a different instruction. Sometimes, even when you have TSA PreCheck on your boarding pass, the system may route you to standard screening for that flight as a random security measure.
Traveling With Kids Or Groups
Children 12 and under can use the TSA PreCheck lane with an eligible adult on the same reservation. Teens 13–17 may also use it when the indicator appears on their own boarding pass. Groups with a mix of PreCheck and non-PreCheck passengers can either stay together in the standard line or split, with eligible travelers using the expedited lane and meeting on the other side.
Step-By-Step Plan For TSA PreCheck At MCO
Here is a simple plan you can reuse whenever you fly out of Orlando.
| Step | When | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Check Membership | One to two weeks before travel | Confirm TSA PreCheck is active and note your KTN |
| Update Airline Profiles | Before you book or right after | Add your KTN to profiles for airlines you use from MCO |
| Review Booking | After ticket purchase | Check that your name matches your TSA PreCheck account |
| Confirm TSA PreCheck Symbol | During check-in | Look for the TSA PreCheck indicator on each boarding pass |
| Arrive At MCO | Two to three hours before departure | Head to the terminal and checkpoint that matches your gate |
| Pick The Lane | At the security entrance | Join the TSA PreCheck line if it is open and shown for your checkpoint |
| Move Through Screening | At the conveyor belt | Follow officer directions and leave allowed items in your bag |
| Recheck The Gate | After screening | Confirm the gate on the monitors in case of a last-minute change |
Enrollment Options For TSA PreCheck Near MCO
If the topic “does mco have tsa precheck?” brought you here because you are still thinking about joining the program, Orlando is a convenient place to finish enrollment. TSA partners with multiple providers, and one of them, CLEAR, runs an enrollment center at MCO itself.
The basic TSA PreCheck application starts online through the official portal, where you submit personal details and pick an appointment. After that, you visit an enrollment center for fingerprinting and ID checks. Many travelers now start on the main TSA PreCheck page and then choose an airport location such as Orlando for the in-person step.
At MCO, the CLEAR-run center listed by TSA sits at 1 Jeff Fuqua Boulevard in the main terminal complex, with one site near the West Security checkpoint for Terminals A and B and another location in Terminal C on the security level. Hours in recent TSA notices run roughly from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
TSA PreCheck lasts for five years at a time, and membership can be renewed online in many cases. If your Known Traveler Number is about to expire, Orlando’s on-airport enrollment center can help with renewal appointments when an in-person visit is required.
Extra Tips For TSA PreCheck Users At Orlando Airport
Pack For Success
Even with TSA PreCheck, pack your carry-on so that laptops and liquids are easy to reach. Every now and then, officers may ask travelers in the expedited lane to remove certain items or send bags through secondary screening, so a tidy bag helps you clear the checkpoint faster.
Know When TSA PreCheck Might Not Apply
TSA PreCheck only works when you depart from a participating airport on a participating airline. If you connect through a smaller airport on a separate ticket, you may not see the same options, even if your KTN remains valid. TSA can also apply random screening, which means you might receive TSA PreCheck for your morning flight out of Orlando but not for a late-night return from another city.
Keep An Eye On Airport Updates
Security setups change over time as airports add new checkpoints or shift traffic between terminals. Orlando has seen steady growth, and TSA has been rolling out new tools such as Touchless ID lanes for some PreCheck travelers. With clear expectations about where TSA PreCheck lives at MCO and how the lanes run through the day, you can turn one of the stress points of air travel into a short, predictable stop on the way to your gate.