Skip the lines - consider Global Entry. I was amazed and so relieved to have Global Entry last week. I breezed through security in minutes while other travelers spent 1.5 hours in line. I truly believe I would have missed my flight without TSA Precheck (great benefit of Global Entry). My experience was awesome at each airport on my journey last week.
A frequently asked question is "Is Global Entry better than TSA recheck". In my opinion yes. While TSA Precheck is easier to obtain and is a fast pass through security, Global Entry cost $15 more and you get a fast pass through security AND US Customs when returning home from international travel.
Check with your credit card company, some credit cards may reimburse you for the application fee of Global Entry.
"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."
GLOBAL ENTRY
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 in obtaining the interview. For Louisiana there is only one location. The only interview site in Louisiana is the Louis Armstrong Airport during the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday (closed on Federal holidays). Sometimes in Louisiana, the wait may be 3-6 months for available interview, we did luck up and get one within 3 months. Check here for your interview locations and check a few times, there may be a available interview site in another state not too far away. 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 may 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. And this was the case with my trip, I highly recommend Global Entry.
