Tying It All Together (NEXUS Fin)

Sunset Over Greenland

Sunrise 11 Minutes Later

 

 

In this final (maybe) installment on NEXUS, I will tell about our first-hand experience with TSA PreCheck and Global Entry on a recent trip to Istanbul.

We were originally not going to try the TSA PreCheck since it was on the opposite side of the airport from where we were and where we needed to be, but the security lines were as long as I had ever seen them at SeaTac so we changed our minds. When we arrived at the PreCheck line, the officer there said that they weren't set up for international flights so we had to go through a regular check. This wasn't too bad because the line for the regular check in at the PreCheck checkpoint had only a couple of people in it. We did watch some people go through the expedited check and they went through quickly and easily.

When we returned to Seattle, we went straight to the Global Entry Kiosks in the international arrival area. I breezed right through, but Judy's NEXUS card had expired so the kiosk directed her to the normal Passport Control line. I proceded to the baggage claim. Normally we try to just have carry-ons for our returning flights, but my bag was too heavy so we decided to check both our larger bags. The nice ticketing agent at Istanbul gave our bags "Priority" tags and mine was the first one on the carousel in SeaTac, Judy's bag was a distant sixth. I was able to collect our bags and be waiting near the exit for Judy to get through passport control.

Judy's NEXUS card has since been renewed.

More on Istanbul later :-)

TSA Pre (Nexus part trois)

Another perk for Nexus cardholders is in the works. The TSA is starting a program where certain travelers may be able to go through security checkpoints with less hassle. This means they can keep their coats, belts, and shoes on as well as leaving their laptops and liquids inside their carry-ons while going through the checkpoint. Of course the TSA can make any of them go through the regular check.

Currently this is available to certain frequent fliers of Delta and American (and soon Alaska! ) at a handful of airports. Ultimately people in trusted traveler programs such as Nexus and Global Entry will be able to participate. This feature will eventually be available at many more airports (including SeaTac! )
You can find out more at the TSA website:

http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/escreening.shtm

Bad Jet Lag Advice



I get very jet lagged when I fly Eastbound. When I lived in Spokane, WA I used to joke that I got jet lagged just driving to Montana (90 miles to the East). I have unsucessfully tried many of the recommended ways to avoid jet lag, but haven't found one that really works for me. On a recent trip to Dubai, I ignored most of the advice I have heard and it really worked out well for me.

I flew overnight from SeaTac to Amsterdam and arrived there early in the morning. I was meeting up with the rest of my group there and we had booked some day-rooms at the Park Plaza hotel near the airport. It would be about three hours before the rest of the group arrived and another 10 hours after that before our flight to Dubai would depart, so I decided to sleep the day away. I typically do not sleep on airplane flights, so I was ready for some shuteye. The hotel was comfortable and very quiet. It had room-darkening shades so the daylight didn't illuminate the room. Most of the jet lag advice would have me staying awake during the day to help my body clock adjust to the new time zone, but my desire for slumber was overwhelming.



Park Plaza Hotel Room

I slept for a few hours then met up with the group for lunch. Afterward, I was contemplating taking a walk and exploring the area around the hotel, but the lure of the comfortable, quiet room was too much and I bedded down for another 5 hours.

We had another overnight flight to Dubai and, of course, I was jet lagged. I recovered in a couple of days like I normally do. I don't remember how bad I felt while for those first few days in Dubai, but I do remember that nice day of sleep I got in Amsterdam!