Help for International Air Travelers?
Posted on May 23, 2017
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the peak summer travel season, when the highest volumes of international travelers arrive at U.S. international airports, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
CBP and airport and airline stakeholders have taken a variety of steps in recent years to help reduce wait times and move travelers efficiently through U.S. international airports.
So, as we near the busy summer travel season, how can these travel initiatives help speed people through international arrivals? Today’s WatchBlog explores.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspections
Flying internationally to the United States means undergoing inspection by CBP. Travelers arriving at U.S. international airports from a foreign airport must pass through the Federal Inspection Service area where CBP conducts immigration and customs inspections.
In there, travelers queue for inspection—some of which can be automated, if the technology is available and if the traveler is eligible. After that, travelers collect their checked baggage and pass through an exit control checkpoint. A CBP officer can refer a traveler to a more thorough secondary inspection at any point in the inspections process.
It’s this process that CBP and airport and airline stakeholders are working to streamline through various initiatives.
(Excerpted from GAO-17-470)
What are the initiatives? CBP and airport and airline stakeholders have launched a variety of travel and tourism initiatives to streamline the CBP inspections process, reduce wait times, and help travelers navigate the international arrivals process, including- Automated technologies, such as Global Entry and Automated Passport Control self-service kiosks, that help travelers complete some of the CBP inspection process before seeing a CBP officer.
(Excerpted from GAO-17-470)
- Designated lanes for some types of travelers, such as diplomats and travelers without checked bags, to help speed these travelers through inspections.
- Infrastructure modifications that can streamline CBP inspections and exit processes for travelers. For example, an initiative called “baggage first” allows travelers to collect their checked baggage before being inspected by a CBP officer. And “modified egress” streamlines the exit control checkpoint by allowing travelers to collect their baggage and leave the inspection area unless stopped by a CBP officer monitoring the area.
(Excerpted from GAO-17-470)
- Better signs, including color-coded and electronic signs that help direct travelers and provide other useful information, such as what to expect in the inspections process.
(Excerpted from GAO-17-470)
- Professionalism and stakeholder initiatives that promote awareness of CBP’s mission, address traveler and stakeholder complaints, and help set goals for the airports.
- Questions on the content of this post? Contact Rebecca Gambler at GamblerR@gao.gov
- Comments on GAO’s WatchBlog? Contact blog@gao.gov.