Getting on the Fast-track for Airport Security
Every airline traveler is painfully aware that the post 9/11 security measures put in place to thwart terrorist activity require extra time at the airport. For frequent business travelers, that can add up to dozens of hours over the course of a year… time that could be spent polishing that proposal or closing the deal. Here are three options that will save you time at the airport.
Global Entry, operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is best for people who travel internationally several times a year. This program allows travelers to re-enter the United States with a quick stop at an electronic kiosk rather than wait in lengthy lines for an interview with an immigration agent. Applicants complete an online questionnaire and consent to a background check. Upon provisional approval, a personal interview is scheduled and fingerprints and photographs are put on file. At the airport, passengers may go directly to the Global Entry kiosk for fingerprint verification, customs declaration and a receipt, then exit, bypassing customs and immigration lines. Global Entry operates in 24 U.S. airports (26 by summer) and 5 in Canada. Membership is only available to legal residents of the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Netherlands. The cost is $100 at time of application.
TSA PreCheck is the Transportation Security Administration’s trusted traveler program for those who volunteer to be pre-screened. Currently, it is only available to certain U.S. citizens who are frequent flyers with American or Delta and U.S. citizen Global Entry members because those are the only airlines whose passenger information systems can currently communicate with the TSA secure flight database. US Airways and United expect to have their computer systems compatible in the near future. Pre-screened travelers may be directed to an expedited security screening lane where they may not have to remove shoes, jackets and belts, laptops from bags or be subject to the 3-1-1 liquid restrictions. TSA reserves the right to implement random security measures at will, so even with being prechecked, there are no guarantees of getting on the fast track. Currently operating in only 13 U.S. airports, expedited security lanes are expected to be operational in an additional 22 airports by year end. There is no cost to the traveler for this program.
Clear is a private traveler registration company that is best for people who frequent Orlando and Denver airports because those are the only operational locations at this time. San Francisco and Dallas/Ft. Worth locations are expected by June 2012. Applicants register online then have fingerprinting and iris imaging done at one of seven enrollment centers (only in Denver, Orlando and New York). The Clear card is not pre-screening, but is an automated identity check, allowing members to bypass the TSA boarding pass checker and proceed directly to the regular security screening. U.S. permanent residents and citizens who are over 18 years old can join for $179 annually.
Source: NY Times, 4.22.12
