  Using techniques from loop quantum gravity, the standard theory of
cosmological perturbations was recently generalized to encompass the Planck
era. We now apply this framework to explore pre-inflationary dynamics. The
framework enables us to isolate and resolve the true trans-Planckian
difficulties, with interesting lessons both for theory and observations.
Specifically, for a large class of initial conditions at the bounce, we are led
to a self consistent extension of the inflationary paradigm over the 11 orders
of magnitude in density and curvature, from the big bounce to the onset of slow
roll. In addition, for a narrow window of initial conditions, there are
departures from the standard paradigm, with novel effects ---such as a
modification of the consistency relation between the ratio of the tensor to
scalar power spectrum and the tensor spectral index, as well as a new source
for non-Gaussianities--- which could extend the reach of cosmological
observations to the deep Planck regime of the early universe.
