I think I died and went to heaven.

When I got to BWI Thursday evening I saw that the priority security line had been replaced by a TSA Pre line. I had used TSA Pre only once in LAX as it hasn't been available at HSV, BHM, DFW, COS, or BWI. So, Thursday at BWI, I didn't have to take off shoes, belt, or even sports coat and I was able to keep computer and liquids in my bags. THIRTY SECONDS to clear security.

Left plenty of time to go to Airspace lounge to get a free sandwich.

Could traveling be getting easier?

Yes, the tsa pre screen is a terrific improvement to the airport security system. I have used it several times at lax American terminal. A huge time saver and removes much of the hassle.

Great Marc, we love it when we fly in and out of LAX.

Coming home we just slide our passport into scanner at a kiosk, press our hand print, it recognizes that it's us, and it prints the clearance. It couldn't have been any easier. So nice avoiding the hassle !

Not at IAH yet, but looking forward to it. When it does arrive hoping will do away with the mandatory "personal" scan due to metal knees. I do enjoy the Global Entry benefit so shouldn't complain.

So how do you get this? We have global entry already.

Here are the rules from the TSA site:



Only downside is that i could bring Arlene and even others through the standard priority lines and now I cannot even bring Arlene through.

So I guess George and I are already in due to our global entry plus status with American. Will have to look for this when we fly end of this month.

Have used it before in MIA but was glad this morning to see there's a dedicated entry now. Through security in less than 30 secs!

Carla and I were selected when we flew Delta out of Boston, I am Delta Plat and she has No status. The next time we flew out I got selected and she did Not, I waited for her like over 20 minutes on the other side. Flying back from Vegas I declined the pre check so we would NOT be split up, its kind of random I guess.. IT is a wonderful perk though..

Makes me more comfortable flying out of BWI since my regional airport is only USAir, knowing it is there. I hate flying out of Dulles as the drive is an hour longer about 4 hours. Since I don't have a spouse, my global entry would get me through the lines, I hope.

I just love using Global Entry flying in from abroad. So quick and hassle free when I came back from other shores.

We have our interview for Global Entry this week. It sounds like a good program.

Doug

Is the Global Entry the same as a Nexus entry?

Nexus is for travel between Canada and US. Global Entry is for US citizens returning home from other parts of the World.

we did it about a year ago. best thing ever. AmEX platinum picked up the fee

That was why I drove to PHL to get it, Cindy! No charge! Wish I could have charged the gas and parking money to them. I had such a nice man interview me, but he was very curious when he saw so much Arabic and other stamps in my passport, and we just talked and talked. At the end, he told me I was so lucky to travel so much for fun, and of course, I am forever grateful for that, every time I do.

We've filled out the Nexus forms but havent sent them in yet...No rush now as we are home for the winter as I'm waiting for date for next eye surgery since the November one wasn't 100% successful.Will find out within 2 weeks.

Sure love the idea of by-passing those long lines.

Pat, you may want to stay with the Nexus pass as you can use it for the Canadian Border and for international flights. We are applying for a Sentri pass, as we want both airport and quick access across Mexican borders

NEXUS and SENTRI Members May Utilize the Global Entry Kiosks

(02/16/2012)All NEXUS members can enjoy the benefits of Global Entry at no additional cost through using the automated kiosks for entry at participating airports. NEXUS members will need to check their status in their Global Online Enrollment System account, as they may need to submit their 10-fingerprints or any other necessary documentation in order to receive Global Entry benefits. ( GOES )

U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident SENTRI members can enjoy the benefits of Global Entry at no additional cost through using the automated kiosks for entry at participating airports. ( Global Entry Basic Kiosk Instructions ) SENTRI members will need to check their status in their Global Online Enrollment System GOES account, as they may need to submit their 10-fingerprints or any other necessary documentation in order to receive Global Entry benefits. ( GOES )

Thancks Karen, great info and i think we have to have iris scans and interviews at Toronto airport....no big deal.

Global Entry interview is tomorrow. Wearing a hoodie might be a bad idea.

Doug

....uh, I think that would not be good! Good luck, maybe you will be in and out!

make sure you get finger prints so it will work for global entry, as you need that to start the whole entry via the kiosks.

Didn't know that, Thank you Olivia

Well, the Global Entry interview was a snap! 10 minutes.
Most of the time was spend explaining the program to me and taking my picture and finger prints.
The only question was how often I travel outside the country.

5 yrs for $100! Just to skip those lines makes it worthwhile!

Doug

You will love it, Doug. I don't know what took me so long. Maybe all the Arabic in my passport or just a lot of activity since 2006? lol, first time I used it, they "tagged" me, and I had the complete shakedown, including a customs officer asking me to open a couple of bags. But it didn't take long, I was the only one in that line. Next time, it was a breeze. I just love it, and so will you and Andi.

Thanks, Olivia, for sharing the info. I noticed I had this benefit on my AMEX but never paid it much attention. Then, my company said we could have the interview at my office and posted all of the benefits and locations where it could be used. So, I finally applied. Our first interview date was the day Sandy hit. So, we were delayed until today. Happy holidays!

I just received my card, I heard that you need to enter your trusted traveller number when you make the reservation, so does this mean that I can't be trusted on my flights next month that I made before I was accepted? I added my number on my UA profile but not sure if that is enough?

Karen:

I was told that all you need to do is add the number to your FF account profile, as you did.

Good luck! Doug

For those of you flying to Australia:

Visiting Australia is now easier than ever for U.S. Trusted Travelers. Late last year, Australian Customs and Border Protection opened up access to its automated border processing system, SmartGate, to U.S. Trusted Travelers. Now when you arrive in Australia, you can bypass the passport processing queues and self-process using an ePassport¹.

I heard that too but when we got there in January they said NO go to the line that is only for Australian issued Trusted Travellers.

So dont count on your "trusted traveler" status but always worth at try. We could have hit a grumpy agent.

I got the same email that Karen did.
This program is clearly a 'work in process'.

Doug

This may be of interest.

http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler...now-eligible-for-smartgate-in-australia/

I think one of keys is you must have an e-Passport (with the embedded chip) to use the Australian SmartGate system. I just renewed my passport last year before we went thru Global Entry application, so mine has it. But my husband's does not - it was issued in 2006, just before they started issuing all e-Passports in 2007.

But I'm sure Ngaire has the e-Passport, so that's certainly not the only variable. Sounds like they are still working out some kinks in the process.

If it will make you all feel better, it wouldn't recognise me on the way home last trip. Had to go to the back of another queue!

Yes we have the chip in our passports. We get a new passport about every 2 - 3 years. I think we just hit a snippy immigration man.

My passport was issued in 2005, do we need those chips for US airports?

Karen - We used the Global Entry kiosk upon our return from India last week. Both of our passports worked fine, although I do not have a chip in mine. It was great to be able to bypass the very long passport control line (a widebody had landed just before our flight). In fact, we (along with several other passengers on our flight who also used Global Entry) had cleared passport control, nabbed our luggage, and gone through Customs before anyone else from our flight even made it to the baggage claim area. Priceless...

Thanks for the reasurrance, Fred!

Karen - I did asked about that when we went thru the interview. We were told the old "chip-less" passports would still work just fine for US reentry!

After reading 40 pages of a message on Flyer Talk, I found out that if you have preexisting reservations on UA that you made before you got your Global Entry card, you have to call to have your" known traveler" numbers added to those reservations as UA has removed the "add the number" feature for preexisting reservations. I guess from what I read that particular feature is to be added back later on this year.

So, I just spent an hour talking to an UA rep who had no idea what I was asking him to do. Finally we got it figured out and he added the numbers. (I think, lol)