A Note From Paul
Are You Out of Line? WHY NOT?!
There's nothing that gets a great trip off to a less-than-great start like getting in line for pre-flight security and waiting... and waiting... and waiting...
You shuffle your carry-ons across the floor a few feet at a time, the kids start getting surly, and the way the TSA herds you along, it's all you can do not to let out a "Moooo!"
So why do it? Did you know there's an inexpensive and easy way to avoid those lines and all the hassle? Well read on!
In case you haven't heard, there are two "Trusted Traveler" programs now available that help you move through the airport faster and with less hassle.
Global Entry is a program developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to receive expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States.
The program is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, South Korean citizens, German citizens and Mexican nationals. Canadian citizens and residents receive Global Entry benefits through membership in another program called NEXUS.
To enroll, you first file an application with Customs and Border Protection, and then submit to an interview and background check. There is a $100 fee for the application. It's non-refundable, but unless you're on the terror watch list or you're an escaped felon, you will be approved. During the interview, they take your fingerprints and a digital photo. The interview itself is not so much an "interview", as it is a chance for the authorities to check your ID and be certain you are
who you say you are. Once your application is approved, you can use
one of the nifty Global Entry kiosks at any participating airport.
And look at the list of airports with kiosks, both in the U.S. and abroad:
If you want to sign up, or for more information, here's the website:
So there you go -- a great way to make your travels just a little bit less aggravating!
Until next week...
Are You Out of Line? WHY NOT?!
There's nothing that gets a great trip off to a less-than-great start like getting in line for pre-flight security and waiting... and waiting... and waiting...
You shuffle your carry-ons across the floor a few feet at a time, the kids start getting surly, and the way the TSA herds you along, it's all you can do not to let out a "Moooo!"
So why do it? Did you know there's an inexpensive and easy way to avoid those lines and all the hassle? Well read on!
P.S. -- There's nothing worth more than your recommendation! Please forward this to friends and associates who might be interested.
* * *
You're Outta Line!
In case you haven't heard, there are two "Trusted Traveler" programs now available that help you move through the airport faster and with less hassle.
Global Entry is a program developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to receive expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States.
The program is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, South Korean citizens, German citizens and Mexican nationals. Canadian citizens and residents receive Global Entry benefits through membership in another program called NEXUS.
To enroll, you first file an application with Customs and Border Protection, and then submit to an interview and background check. There is a $100 fee for the application. It's non-refundable, but unless you're on the terror watch list or you're an escaped felon, you will be approved. During the interview, they take your fingerprints and a digital photo. The interview itself is not so much an "interview", as it is a chance for the authorities to check your ID and be certain you are
who you say you are. Once your application is approved, you can use
one of the nifty Global Entry kiosks at any participating airport. And look at the list of airports with kiosks, both in the U.S. and abroad:
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- Dublin Airport (DUB)
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
- Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Guam International Airport (GUM)
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
- Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
- John Wayne Airport (SNA)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB)
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Saipan International Airport (SPN)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport-SeaTac (SEA)
- Shannon Airport (SNN)
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)
If you want to sign up, or for more information, here's the website:
http://www.globalentry.gov/index.html
The second program is TSA PreCheck, and when you sign up for Global Entry you automatically qualify.
This is the program I'm most excited about! When flying a participating airline, TSA PreCheck allows you to receive expedited screening benefits. Just use the dedicated TSA PreCheck screening lanes and -- get this! --
you can leave on your shoes, light outerwear and belts, and leave
laptops and liquids in your carry-on bags. So not only do you get to
use the shortest line in the airport, you also get to skip the most
invasive searches!
Now
again, as with Global Entry, there is always the chance you'll be
subject to a random search. But if you travel often, it's well worth
the $100 and the interview.
Not
all airlines participate yet, and the ones that do don't offer TSA
PreCheck at every airport. The program is currently available at 40
airports nationwide. Here are the carriers offering it so far:
More
airlines are joining every day, so if your favorite carrier isn't on
the list above, odds are it will be before long. For more information:- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta
- Hawaiian Airlines
- United Airlines
- US Airways
- Virgin America
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck
* * *
So there you go -- a great way to make your travels just a little bit less aggravating!
Until next week...
[Parts of this article were adapted from Wikipedia]
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