Savvy Navigator Partner and I took a quick weekend trip to Dublin and County Kildare Ireland last weekend, to, among other things, check out interesting locales for future Savvy Navigator gay tours. We stayed at the fabulous Carton House manor to celebrate our friend Mike’s 40th birthday. It was the totally-Irish experience, with amazing wining and dining on typical Irish fare (yup, loved the Beef and Guinness stew) and hanging with the relative who seemed like they were from central casting for Irish character. The “Yes, we’re in Ireland” cliché of weekend was, and I kid you not, Enya strolling through the hotel lobby on her way to a press interview while we were having afternoon tea. But I shan’t digress…
After a wonderful weekend getaway, we dragged ourselves to the always-under-construction Dublin airport and jetted home, via London Heathrow. A highlight of our travels was the return to Washington Dulles and our inaugural use of the new Global Entry Kiosk in the immigration hall.
The Customs and Border Protection government website describes the program as:
“CBP’s newest trusted traveler program, Global Entry is now available to frequent international travelers who are US citizens and US Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Upon arrival from a foreign destination, Global Entry provides expedited border clearance using self-service kiosks in selected international airports in the United States. Global Entry is currently located at three US airports - John F. Kennedy International, Terminal 4 (JFK); Washington Dulles International (IAD); and, Houston Intercontinental (IAH). The program will be expanded to four additional airports by the end of 2008 and be established at the top 20 US airports over the next few years. Membership to Global Entry is voluntary and it requires payment of a $100 non-refundable fee that is valid for the duration of the pilot up to 5 years.”
Sign up for this program NOW! Go to the Global Entry website, sign up for access, apply for the Global Entry program, pay your $100 fee, and you’ll probably get approved within 48 hours. Once approved, head to the airport for your interview, which was quick, painless, easy, and conducted by a witty, cute 24-year-old customs and border protection agent.
Savvy Navigator is recommending all his guests sign up for this program, which means you’ll never stand in line again when you arrive into the immigration hall after a long-haul flight.