For those of you who are U.S. citizens and travel out of the country a lot, you may want to look into the Global Entry (GOES) program. http://www.globalentry.gov/ This allows you to bypass customs/immigrations at most major U.S. airports and simply scan your passport, scan your fingerprints and submit to facial recognition. I have used it twice while traveling back to the U.S. and rather than waiting behind 50-100 folks in line, I walk right up to a kiosk and am through in less than a minute. This also allows you to participate in the 'trusted traveler' program, where you have expedited security line service. You generally bypass most of the folks in security lines, keep your computer in your bag, keep your shoes and belt on and there is no need to show your liquids (although they still need to be bagged). There is a $100 non-refundable fee to apply for GOES and after your application is approved, you need to go for a relatively short interview to complete the process.
For those of you with Amex Platinum or credit cards like Chase's Presidents Plus Continental card, I believe those cards refund the $100 fee to apply.
Yeah, I have this. I travel internationally regularly and while sometimes customs lines aren't a big deal, there are other times when you can waste hours in them. I don't think most of the homebodies on this particular bbs get out much, but nonetheless, good thread and it's a good program for those who travel.
