We’ve all been there – your alarm doesn’t go off, you get stuck in traffic, you take the wrong exit on the interstate and drive 15 miles in the wrong direction before you can turn around – whatever the case may be, you arrive at the airport later than you planned and the line at the security checkpoint is backed up all the way to the ticket counter. You join the line and impatiently check your watch every 30 seconds trying to will the line to move forward and praying your flight gets delayed. Meanwhile, the line to your left is quite short and moving quickly.
On a recent trip home from Montreal, it took almost 2 hours to get through customs. The lady behind me had a cat in a carrier. It meowed and cried the entire time! When they would pass another animal in the queue switchback, the two would growl and hiss at each other. This went on the entire time. By the time I got through customs, I was plotting how to give away my own precious feline without the children noticing (don’t worry, I apologized to Lilo when I got home). The border agent at the front of the queue was unapologetic and rude (some would call her mean and hateful). Several people around me missed their flights that morning. Meanwhile, I’m watching the line to the right and fellow travelers waltzing through customs in less than 5 minutes.
This experience led me to investigate Global Entry prior to my next international trip. With a $100 price tag and 5-year time span, this decision was a no-brainer for me. Even if I just make one trip per year, $20 for the year is a good value. TSA Pre-check is only $78 for a 5-year period.
Basically, TSA Pre-check is a fastpass for US airport security and Global Entry is a fastpass for US Customs.
Benefits
Dedicated lane(s) at most US airports
No need to remove shoes, belts, and jackets
Keep your laptop and liquids in your bag
Application Process
Apply online at https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov
Schedule an appointment at an enrollment center
Receive your credentials by mail
The process really is quite simple. When you complete the online application, you will need your ID and passport (for Global Entry), work history, residential address for the past few years and other basic information. For Global Entry, scheduling an appointment is the tricky part. When I first searched for an appointment, the only appointment I could find in the next 3 months was in Detroit, Michigan; and I searched every location within driving distance. I checked the website regularly and, fortunately, an appointment opened up just about an hour away. The appointment itself was only about 10 minutes and included questions to verify your identity, taking a photo and fingerprints. I received my Global Entry credentials in the mail about a week later.
I am already looking forward to using these benefits on my next flight. With a 6:00 am flight, I know I’ll be running late. Maybe I’ll have time to stop at Starbucks once I clear airport security!
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