Your Global Entry Interview Is Nothing to Fear
You’ve booked your flight, you’ve packed your bags, and you’re ready for the trip of a lifetime. But standing between you and paradise are dreaded airport security lines that make you feel like herded cattle. If you have a hundred bucks to spare, the solution is simple: Get Global Entry.
This program, mostly geared toward U.S. citizens, allows you to skip the long lines and get to your gate faster. Think of it as the Disney Fastpass of airports. But before you can breeze through the fast lane, you’ll have to go through a lengthy process that concludes in an in-person interview.
Luckily for our readers, I just went through my Global Entry interview. Here’s what you need to know about the program and why you shouldn’t sweat the dreaded final step.
What Is Global Entry?
Before getting to the interview, let’s cover a few of the basics about Global Entry. This U.S. Customs and Border Protection program allows “known travelers” to go through fewer hurdles when boarding a flight or coming back into the U.S.
The idea is that each applicant undergoes a lengthy background check to ensure they are law-abiding citizens. Since you’ve been pre-checked, you get a more relaxed screening process.
In reality, however, the security process is pretty much the same. The only difference is that, like at Disney, some people have dolled out enough cash to use the Fastlane while people who can’t afford it are left to suffer long lines.
What’s the Difference Between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are part of the Trusted Traveler Program, but there are a few key differences between them.
TSA PreCheck is cheaper, costing $78 versus the $100 fee for Global Entry. However, it only works for domestic flights, whereas Global Entry covers international flights as well. And it isn’t just for going out of the country. You’ll also get to use the express line when coming back in through customs.
Plus, GE works for air, land and sea travel, whereas PreCheck is only for air. Both programs give you membership for five years before you have to renew.
For $22 more, Global Entry is a much better deal, but TSA PreCheck’s one true advantage is that the application process is much faster.
How Long Does the Global Entry Process Take?
Global Entry’s main prolem is how long it takes to get approved.
The application itself is easy. You’ll have to create a Trusted Traveler Program account. Then, fill out an online form providing your personal details and answering questions about all the places you’ve traveled to in the past five years. This part of the process shouldn’t take more than 15 to 20 minutes.
You’ll have to pay the $100 fee at the end of the application. From here, it’s just a matter of waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Apparently, conducting thorough background checks is a time-consuming affair. I waited around seven months to get pre-approved and couldn’t schedule my interview until about three months later. (Though that’s partly my fault).
The interview is the last step for getting into the program. Available time slots will depend on where you’re located, but the process usually takes place in airports (fittingly). The online scheduling system is easy to navigate and provides options for booking, rescheduling or canceling the interview appointment online.
What to Expect from Your Global Entry Interview
Once the time of your interview comes, there’s no reason to sweat it. You’ll probably have to wait a bit, even if you have an appointment. But once you go in, it usually takes less than ten minutes.
They’ll ask standard questions, inquiring whether you’re pre-approved (if you have the interview, you are), whether you’ve ever been convicted of a crime and whether you’ve traveled to Mexico or Canada in the past five years. You’ll also be asked whether you plan on traveling by land to either country. Of course, questions may vary depending on the person, but these are the standard ones.
The rest of the time is spent explaining how the program works and getting you to sign some documents. That’s it! Easy as pie.