ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A short waiting list is drawing hundreds of tourists to Albuquerque to pick up pre-approved clearance passes aimed at helping international travelers quickly move through customs. Officials say Albuquerque International Sunport Airport doesn't have a backlog to get a “Global Entry Pass'' like at other airports.
Tracy Thorpe, Albuquerque director for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, said Tuesday officials can book interview appointments within days while appointments in New York and Phoenix can take months.
Global Entry allows for pre-approved, lowisk travelers to bypass the traditional U.S. Customs and Border Patrol inspection when arriving into the U.S. from abroad. For a $100 fee, travelers can use around 300 kiosks at more than 30 U.S. airports to get through special security lanes without taking off shoes and belts. Officials say passes can reduce wait time to 70 percent.
