To me, airports, casinos, and shopping malls are extremely noisy and chaotic. 😠 I avoid them all as much as possible!
You might also be surprised that I despise flying… almost as much as I hate standing in long lines.
So the above two issues make airports enemy number one!
Yes, even though I fly a lot.
The reason is partly due to the noise and chaos of airports that nearly overwhelms me as soon as I walk in the doors and it follows me even after I pass through security.
I have several methods to help me overcome the near-panic and frustration: the first resolution is Global Entry.
Most of you have heard of TSA PreCheck, right? Well, Global Entry is a step above it.
TSA PreCheck costs $85, expires every 5 years, and gets you through the TSA security lines at US airports rather quickly via a specially-marked lane. You don’t have to remove your shoes or take out your tablets and laptops.
However, Global Entry costs $100, includes TSA PreCheck, expires every 5 years, and gets you through the US Customs & Immigration lines quickly via another specially-marked lane.
Even some cruise ports have a Global Entry lane!
If you’re anything like me, you’ll have one or the other.
If you don’t have either OR your TSA PreCheck is up for renewal, get Global Entry. It’s only $15 more. And some credit cards reimburse this fee!
To enroll in Global Entry, you must first file an application with Customs and Border Protection, and then submit to an interview and background check. After submission, you will wait for either conditional approval or rejection. If conditionally approved, you then schedule an appointment for an interview, photograph, and fingerprints.
Yes it’s a hassle, but being able to speed through the lines (especially after arriving from a long international flight) is so vitally important to my sanity.
So much so, that I also have CLEAR that allows me to jump to the front of the TSA PreCheck line. 😁 In addition, I have worldwide lounge access with Priority Pass so that I can escape the noise and chaos, try to calm my nerves, and re-group before getting on an airplane.
Sadly, casinos and shopping malls don’t measure up to the above listed airport improvements.
So… do you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry or Neither?
