During ASTA's Travel Retailing & Destination Expo (ASTA-LA) in Los Angeles, Sept. 7-9, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be hosting in-person interviews and enrollment for the Global Entry Trusted Travel program. The program allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.
Doug Hofsass, the associate administrator for risk-based security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will also be on hand to present two seminars that will provide attendees with an in-depth look at TSA’s PreCheck Program and the Custom and Border Patrol’s Global Entry program.
Said ASTA President and Chair Nina Meyer. “This opportunity affords ASTA-LA attendees the opportunity to experience first-hand the process of becoming a Trusted Traveler so they can assist their customers and train their colleagues, as well as gain insight into the finer details of the program and how it will help their clients.”
In-person interviews and enrollment will take place in Booth #2805 on Sept. 7 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Sept. 8 from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m for ASTA-LA attendees who have:
• applied for Global Entry through the on-line application by Aug. 17 and paid the application fee;
• received a conditional approval prior to the start of the CBP seminar at ASTA-LA;
• pre-scheduled an interview to be conducted at ASTA-LA; and
• have a valid passport and second form of identification (i.e. driver’s license or ID card) to present at the time of the interview. (Lawful permanent residents must also present their permanent resident card.)
CBP and the Transportation Security Administration partnered on the Global Entry program, which is designed to help TSA focus resources on higher-risk and unknown passengers while expediting the process for lower-risk and known passengers whenever possible, ASTA notes.
Once approved as a Global Entry Trusted Traveler, eligible enrollees can use TSA’s dedicated PreCheck lanes when traveling domestically, which means shorter lines, no taking off shoes/belt, no pulling out a “3-1-1” bag and no separate laptop bin. And when flying internationally, Trusted Travelers can head straight for the Global Entry kiosk – no waiting in the customs and immigration line or filling out paper I-94 forms when returning home, ASTA reports.
Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports. ASTA members can access a white paper on the PreCheck and Global Entry programs on ASTA.org.
ASTA’s Travel Retailing & Destination Expo offers a full education line-up, as well as a host of networking events and a tradeshow featuring the industry’s top suppliers.
Visit www.ASTA.org