Tired of
long lines at airport security? Or
coming home from abroad and waiting in more lines to clear customs? Take a look at these new programs.
If you make
even one trip a year abroad, consider Global
Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited
clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United
States.
At participating airports,
participants proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport
or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for
fingerprint verification, and make a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction
receipt and directs them to baggage claim and the exit.
There is a
$100 non-refundable application fee. You
will have to be pre-approved through a background check and interview. Interviews are being held at Dulles Airport. Membership is valid for five years.
Once approved, you will receive a Global
Entry Card. Details at: www.GlobalEntry.gov. Membership automatically enrolls you in
PreCheck.
For those who only travel domestically, there is PreCheck. US citizens can apply online and visit an
enrollment site to provide identification and fingerprints. Enrollees are being screened at Dulles
Airport.
This program requires a background check, fingerprints and an
anticipated enrollment fee of $85 for a five year term. Once approved, travelers receive a “Known
Traveler Number” and the opportunity to go through PreCheck lanes at airport
security checkpoints. This program
enables travelers in these screening lanes to leave on their shoes, light
outerwear and belts. Travelers may keep
their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids bag in a carry-on.
PreCheck is currently available at 40
airports nationwide. Current participating
carriers are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian
Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America. For details:
www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck
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