Traveling can be one of the most exciting things in the world. You can see new places, taste new foods, meet new people and see incredible things outside your small area of the world. This is true even when you travel for work! But no matter how fun the actual journey can be, there is a good chance that your airport experience is less exciting. In fact, for many people it is downright frustrating. This is largely due to the journey through airport security lines which always seem to be backed up. I found myself wondering on more than one occasion if the line was actually a black hole waiting to swallow me. The good news is that there are now more options to help you get past airport security lines faster and with more intuition than ever. But just like everything else, good things come at a price and often have some negative aspects. Let's look at the three ways you can bypass a line's nightmare and identify the pros and cons of each.
Option 1: global access (Nexus and Sentri also offer the same program)
Global Entry is a program aimed at those who travel a lot; especially internationally. But even if you don't fly a lot, this option is still open to you. This program was developed to speed up customs and security processes. Global Entry is for those who travel around the world. Sentri and Nexus are for those who travel only to Canada and Mexico. So what do you think about using programs like this? Get faster services through customs and pre-approved customs clearance. You can only get this service after carrying out heavy security checks and you are considered a low risk flyer. You can complete the application for one of these three international online programs. Once you receive your application along with the $ 100 application fee, you will be interviewed by the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency. Oh, and you actually have to pass the interview to get approved. To travel with these programs you must go to the appropriate airport kiosk when you arrive at the airport, show your passport and scan your fingerprints for further verification of who you are. Once past this point, simply go through the correct line and wait for the boarding call. The pro is that you have to avoid lines for boarder control. The cons is that the registration fee which is an investment that you must advance regardless of the passing of the interview.
Option 2: Automatic selection of the black diamond
As for option 1, this also allows you to bypass all long and aggravating lines. This is the most popular program of its kind with 51 airports implementing it. It is modeled on color combinations and ski icons. Each route has a different color and are designed to speed up access to the airport. If you are using this program, when you arrive at the airport you will choose one of the three lanes. Each one is clearly indicated for your specific needs. For example, the green lane is for people traveling with small children and / or strollers and people with special needs. There are really no downsides to this program and there are no associated fees that make it my ideal way to travel with my kids.
Option 3: Clear
This is a program which, unlike the others, has no connection whatsoever with the TSA. Clear removes verification checks and security authorization. Those with Clear subscriptions use biometric scanning processes to overcome security like fingerprinting and iris identification, which means that a machine scans your eyes. (Nice enough right?) When Clear members arrive at the airport they are scanned in the appropriate kiosk and go directly through security screening. This provides the highest level of convenience available to travelers. I've already listed the pros, but are there any cons? The answer to this question depends on whether your annual salary is that of the average Joe or someone like Bill Murray. The annual cost of having the honor of being a Clear member is $ 179. This may not seem like much (and may not be if you travel frequently enough to make a significant difference), but for someone like me, it's quite a piece of change. . Personally I would prefer to wait in line!
