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Itineraries: Which ‘Trusted Traveler’ Program Is Right for You?

posted onFebruary 21, 2017

Article snippet: Are you waiting in line at the airport watching others zip through security with less hassle? If you haven’t signed up for a “trusted traveler” program to cut your waiting time, this may be the year to do it. Consider these figures: The number of airline passengers at United States airports hit a high of 895.5 million in 2015 and is on track to surpass that in 2016, according to the latest data available from the Transportation Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. If those numbers persuade you to sign up, you will have to choose the program that suits your travel style, based on how often you fly, andfind out where you will need to go to get fingerprinted. Then you will have to determine whether the benefits will outweigh the cost. With few exceptions, the programs require applicants to be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents. And even after you are enrolled there are no guarantees that you won’t be selected for further screening from time to time. There are also new concerns after President Trump’s executive order on refugees. Earlier this month, some green card holders were notified that their Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network status had been revoked. One other factor to consider: As more people sign up, the expedited lines may grow longer. The biggest of the programs is PreCheck, run by the Transportation Security Administration. The agency says about 12 million people are enrolled, but it would like more travelers to sign up. ... Link to the full article to read more

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