(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — International travelers who have Global Entry can breeze past long lines at customs even faster now because of changes federal officials made last week at O’Hare.
In the week since U.S. Customs and Border Protection upgraded its Global Entry technology at O’Hare, the agency says more than 9,000 travelers have used it.
Fourteen kiosks line the wall at Terminal 5, where John Mantas and his family were able to quickly take a selfie and move through on their way home from Greece. There is no longer a paper receipt.
Acting Area Port Director in Chicago Kemisha Sherrell said the average time to get through this part of the process is 3 1/2 seconds. It's so quick one WBBM Newsradio listener wrote the station with concerns about verification.
“We’re still doing and ensuring that there’s safe and secure travel,” Sherrell said.
Sanjeesh from Buffalo Grove says he’s considered signing up because his family often flies back to Mumbai, India.
The kiosks aren’t the only step in the process, Director Sherrell said.
“As passengers exit our federal inspection area there are additional checks to make sure that all passengers are clear,” she said.
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