While many of us try to emulate the speed and efficiency in which George Clooney’s character in Up in the Air goes through security screening at the airport, all too often it doesn’t quite work out as it does in the movies.  The hassles of travel can sometimes make even the most seasoned traveler dread certain aspects of a trip, but two announcements this week will benefit frequent business and leisure travelers.

The first announcement by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano was the publication of a Final rule that would make the Global Entry Program permanent.  Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

The second announcement  by (DHS) Secretary Napolitano and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole was that the passenger pre-screening initiative, TSA Pre✓™, will be greatly expanded in 2012.  TSA Pre✓™ is a risk-based program, which currently can provide expedited screening to travelers who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying.  Eligible participants include certain frequent flyers from participating airlines as well as members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs (Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS) who are U.S. citizens and fly on a participating airline.

Individuals interested in participating in Global Entry and TSA Pre✓™ can apply at http://www.globalentry.gov/.