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Government/Legislation
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CBP’s ‘Global Entry’ program set for summer launch
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced its plans to launch a pilot program designed to expedite screening and processing for qualified frequent travelers who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents returning to the United States from international destinations. Biometric fingerprint technology will be used to verify identity.The “Global Entry” pilot program will begin processing applications on May 12, and operating at three initial airports—John F. Kennedy International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport—on June 10.Travelers enrolled in Global Entry will, upon returning from international travel, be able to bypass the usual passport control line and go directly to the Global Entry kiosk where they will activate the system with a passport or U.S. permanent resident card. The kiosk will prompt the traveler through some biometrics and questions by way of a touch screen. Once completed, the traveler will be issued a transaction receipt to be presented to a CBP official upon leaving the inspection area.The application process consists of an online application form and USD $100 fee, a CBP review and background investigation, and an interview with CBP officers at an enrollment center in one of the three participating airports. More information is available at the CBP Website at Global Entry FAQs.Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
DOT doubles compensation for denied boarding
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a rule in mid-April that doubles the maximum amount airlines are required to compensate passengers who are involuntarily bumped from a flight. The DOT stated that, “It has been 25 years since the rule was last revised…and has received recommendations from various sources that it reexamine its oversales rules…and amounts of compensation.”Under the new ruling, to go into effect in mid-May, passengers involuntarily bumped will receive compensation equal to the one-way fare up to $400 if they are rescheduled to reach their destination within two hours of original schedule (domestic) and four hours (international), and $800 if they reach their destinations later. The ruling will also be applicable to aircraft seating 30-60 persons, which had been exempt from the denied boarding rules in the past.Source: Business Travel News
