The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations at Boston Logan International Airport and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) have partnered to improve the passenger experience for those arriving in Terminal E, the international terminal.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Exit/Entry Program, is a Finalist in the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
Last month, the new layout in the Arrivals area was completed allowing travelers to move through the CBP inspection process in a fraction of the time it took before.
The new inspection area increases the efficiency for CBP officers and allows Logan’s growing volume of international travelers to complete their journey quicker.
“The real change is that cleared passengers no longer have to wait in an ‘exit line’ after picking up their luggage,” said Boston Area Port Director Clint Lamm.
“After passengers are processed by a CBP officer at a primary booth, and provided a more thorough examination is not warranted, they are directed to the baggage claim area and are free to exit the hall.”
“Although we are still assessing the benefits of the new exit process, early indications are very positive.”
A new “glass wall” stretching 600 feet across the full length of the baggage claim hall was installed to help separate cleared passengers and those who require extra screening; which allows cleared passengers to grab their bags and go.
A significant amount of new way-finding signage was also installed to help passengers follow this new, expedited process as well as reconfigured queuing lanes to help simplify their wait, if needed.
“Massport is proud to have partnered with CBP on this project to streamline and expedite our passengers’ experience when entering the United States through Boston Logan,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn.
“We are pleased with the positive feedback we have received from passengers and look forward to continuing our work with CBP to further improve the customer experience while maintaining security.”
Trusted Travelers, such as Global Entry members, are also seeing their time in the CBP inspection area decrease.
In the past, all Global Entry members had to turn in an exit receipt to a CBP officer on the baggage floor, but with the new process, they only have to collect their checked baggage before exiting.
“In addition to improving the passenger experience, the new exit configuration also increases national security by allowing us to reallocate the CBP officers that previously managed the exit process to other core law enforcement functions,” said Lamm.
“By continuing to improve our operations, collaborating with our partners, and obtaining input from the traveling public, we are able to maintain the highest security standards while accommodating and expediting the ever growing volumes of international travelers and cargo.”
CBP and Massport have already seen the redesigned exit process reduce the time travelers spend in the Arrivals hall, making it easier to catch connecting flights or simply to re-unite with family and friends here in Boston.
(Learn More about the Global Entry program and how it can help you speed through international airports! Also, find out about other benefits that Global Entry members enjoy. Courtesy of CBP and YouTube)
CBP Exit/Entry Program at a Glance
As the guardian of the nation’s borders, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a multi-layered mission and is a world-class law enforcement agency that adapts to counter new threats; protects the nation’s economic vitality; and manages increasing volumes of travel and trade to the United States.
Moving forward, CBP will continue to collaborate with the air travel industry and TSA to ensure the successful implementation of biometric exit; transform the entry process; and expand public-private partnerships, which will ultimately transform the overall passenger experience.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.
CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
The 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of Physical, IT, Port Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, (Fire, EMT, Military, Support Services Vets, SBA, Medical Tech) as well as the Federal, State, County and Municipal Government Agencies – to acknowledge their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
As an ‘ASTORS’ competitor, the CBP Entry/Exit Program is competing against the industry’s leading providers of Innovative Airport/Aviation Security System Solutions.
American Security Today will be holding the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m, Wednesday, November 15th at ISC East, the Northeast’s largest security industry event, in the Jacob Javits Exhibition Center in New York City.
At ISC East you will have the chance to meet with technical reps from over 225 leading brands in the security industry, allowing you to find out about new products and stay ahead of the competition.
Encompassing everything from Video Surveillance and Access Control to Smart Home Technologies and Unmanned Security, you’re sure to find products and services that will benefit your company and clients.
To register for the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East, in the Jacob Javits Exhibition Center from 12:00pm – 2:00pm, click on the banner below, or go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/
Good luck to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on becoming a Winner of the 2017 American Security Today’s Homeland Security Awards Program!
To learn more about the CBP Entry/Exit Program, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/travel/biometric-security-initiatives.
Learn how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders at international Ports of Entry.
