India, March 8 -- Over the last five-plus years, TSA PreCheck, which allows you to skip the standard security line at many airports, has saved me from missing countless flights and allowed me to sleep in a bit later on travel days. With PreCheck, you aren't required to take off your shoes, light jacket, or belt-and you can keep your laptop and liquids in your carry-on-so you usually zip right through security. According to the TSA, "about 99 percent of passengers wait less than 10 minutes" in PreCheck lanes.

Before I discovered this not-so-secret airport hack, though, I was one of those travelers who didn't feel like dealing with the hassle of applying for the program. But that's simply because I hadn't done my research.

There are actua...