Skip the lines - consider Global Entry. I am taking a last minute trip and hope to be able to try it out.
"Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports."
http:cbp.gov/global-entry/about
How to apply?
The process is fairly easy to begin online. 1) Check eligibility, 2) Create a Global Online Enrollment System account, 3) Log in to complete the application, 4) and Submit non-refundable application fee of $100.
The online application consists of questions about your residence and job history. The fun part is going through the list to mark the countries visited in the past 5 years.
Once you submit the application and the fee, you will receive a conditional approval, or a denial within a week or two with instructions to schedule an interview.
Where is the Interview?
The most tedious part of the process, for those of us living in Louisiana is traveling to the interview. The only interview site is the Louis Armstrong Airport during the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday (closed on Federal holidays). Check here for your interview locations. On the bright side the interview process lasted less than 10 minutes, including having our photo and fingerprints taken.
Then What?
You will receive an email notifying you of your approval, most likely on the same day. Global Entry cards arrive via U.S. mail, sometimes within days.
I'm approved, now what?
This is the good part! Even during domestic travel, the Global Entry program gives you the benefit of TSA Pre-check. This means you do not need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts and light jackets at the TSA checkpoint (available at more than 150 airports with 12 participating airlines). In many airports there are dedicated security lanes for passengers with TSA Pre-check.
For international travel, your return to the U.S. is expedited by skipping the long immigration lines and going straight to the Global Entry kiosk. You know sometimes the immigration lines can take hours to clear, but with Global Entry, some travelers reported that it only took them minutes.
