I swear that MSP has created the long lines as a marketing scheme to get people to purchase the 5 year TSA precheck. How does a place that had minimal issues open up a huge checkpoint only to have security lines get out of control? Think about it. I refused to pay the $85 just on principle but my Hilton membership offered this to be waived using 30k points. That was ok to me since my points come from mostly work trips and I'd, therefore, consider this free.
Note: this review is for the Bloomington IdentoGo located at 5705 W Old Shakopee Rd, Ste 100, Bloomington, MN 55437-3127, which is not found on yelp. The Bloomington IdentoGo location had openings a few days after I completed the online paperwork/application so I went with it. I was given an option of using an enhanced drivers license, which I comprehended as drivers license (Note: this is not the same). You also had the option to use a birth cert, valid passport, newly expired passport and some other docs. I went in with my regular ol' MN drivers license and was told that it wouldn't be sufficient to prove my citizenship. Thankfully, they provided an alternative since I was born in MN and knew my mothers maiden name. They could then get to my birth cert and use that. This was $24 so not a big deal. The person that administered my interview was super great/friendly and the whole thing took about 10-ish minutes. He had me verify data by looking at screen, asked me a few questions, sign a few things, took my fingerprints and that was about it. Overall, it was relatively painless and I'd definitely recommend going to this office...if you want to pay that $85. 5 stars!
TSA and the whole precheck application program was pretty bad. I waited the advertised 30 day review period and heard nothing so I called them and was told to wait 15 more days. Called them again at 45 days and was told that it was not completed. When I pressed for a date, the rep got all huffy. She pointed me to some hidden disclaimer on the site and stated that she would not give a promised completion date. I was annoyed enough and decided to keep her on the phone stating how it's unacceptable that consumers are paying for their service and then they cannot meeting any of the promoted timelines (30 days quoted for review). I kept pressing for her information so that I could include in my BBB complaint. She hung up. The next day, my status was updated stating that they had sent me information in the mail. I thought they would find something on my application for being a dick but I received the letter a few days later and the application was approved.
So, to sum up:
MSP airport - 3 stars - you're a nice airport but your checkin and security (TSA) are lame
Bloomington IdentoGo - 5 stars - quick/easy/nice people
TSA - 2 stars - you're a shitty program, false advertising, poor customers service read more