#Ihatethewait

So I've finally got out from under the sleep away camp paperwork that is akin to the college application process, and I'm ready to start planning a trip.  But every night I turn on the news and the top story is about insane lines at airport security!

I received an email from United Airlines just before spring break recommending I arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before my flight departure due to security delays.  Now airlines are suggesting at least 3 hours.  I am a strong believer in avoiding waiting.  Sitting in an airport for no good reason, is tops on my list of things I'd like to do after I've pulled out all my eyelashes and read several scientific white papers.  I do my best to arrive no more than an hour before my flight.  I check in on-line and unless its free, I don't check a bag.  So the only possible hold up for me, would be the security line.

Duckie and I did spend a longer than usual time getting through security on our flight to Florida, but the line was contained within the TSA area.  Recent reports are showing lines that go out toward the parking lot at some airports.  I love waiting on lines, just like I love the sound of nails on the chalkboard.  So just watching the news has made me question my desire to plan a trip that requires air travel.  And a road trip is just a line of cars taking forever to go somewhere they could have gotten faster by plane!

So I have a problem in need of a solution.  Luckily, I've found two options.  Hopefully one of them will work for you as well and we can get to going!

Option 1: TSA PreCheck 
Like me, you may have stood in the regular security line looking at that empty lane next to you, where occasionally, a stray person strolls up and just speeds right through the security screening.  Or perhaps you've even been as lucky as we were when Duckie was still in stroller.  We got waived through to that speedy lane.  Boy, do I miss the stroller travel days (sigh).  Well that lane is the TSA PreCheck lane.  And its the only way to avoid the current crazy.  But they will no longer waive you through because you have a stroller or some other sympathy worthy predicament.  You must have TSA PreCheck clearance.

The good news is clearance is relatively easy to get.  Just go online to complete the application.  Then schedule an appointment at a local enrollment center and pay $85.  Approval takes 2-3 weeks and your clearance last for 5 years.  Kids 12 and under do not need clearance, but can still accompany you through the PreCheck lane.  You'll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) which you'll add to all your frequent flyer profiles and each airline reservation you make.  This will enable a clearance indication on your boarding pass (paper or mobile) that allows you to use the special lanes at 160 airports. Check here to see if your nearest airport and the airlines you use frequently are included.

So for $170, Hubby, Duckie and I could avoid security lines when traveling domestically for five years.  I believe time is money, so that's a pretty sweet deal.  But what about international travel?  You can use the TSA PreCheck clearance to depart the US but it does nothing for you at customs/border control when re-entering the country.  So then what?

Option 2: Global Entry
The Global Entry program is another Trusted Traveler program offered by Homeland Security.  It allows for expedited movement through customs/border control when returning to the US and when entering a few other countries. Members scan their fingers at a kiosk and complete a customs declaration, then they can head to baggage claim.  And bonus, TSA PreCheck clearance is also included in the 5 year term.  So naturally it cost more, $100.  And, children of all ages must have their own Global Entry clearance to reap the benefits.  You can apply on-line for pre-approval (background check). Then you must schedule an appointment at an enrollment center within 30 days (and complete the appointment within 90 days).

So for Hubby, Duckie and me that's $300 for 5 years of avoiding security and customs lines.  Not as nice as $170 (or even better no lines to begin with) but the value increases every time we travel.

So which one is right for you?  Or will you just stand around playing Candy Crush?

Choose carefully, once you are approved for TSA PreCheck you can't just add $15 and move up to Global Entry.  You will have to pay the full $100 and go through the whole application process.

Well, I guess I just found some new paperwork to get started on.   Not traveling is simply not an option, if I wish to remain somewhat mentally stable.  Gotta go retrieve passports and figure out how not to pay $200 a ticket to sit in the cheap seats and watch my Seattle Seahawks (oh the insanity of it all)!
Talk soon ..... BMK

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Why Browse When You could Extension? (Say, What Now??)

I think I’m offended by term browsing.  Oh are you browsing the Internet? No!  I’m getting things done!  I realize using a “browser” like GoogleChrome for “browsing,” is an actual thing that people do.  Me, I suck at browsing.  My eyes get tired my head starts to hurt and next thing you know I’m sleeping.

The closest I can get to browsing is on-line shopping or reading the news.  But still, I’ll go to Amazon.com to search for something I need, or want, and by the 5^th product I’m like, “Oh geez make it stop and just tell which one is the best for the best price!”  Thank God for filters or I’d never buy anything.  I need to see only Prime, only 4 star or higher reviews and under a specific price.  Only then can I attempt to scroll.

When it comes to reading the news, it’s even worse.  I love news.  I need a daily dose.  I currently rely on The Huffington Post app for much of it.  But if I open a story and takes me to a lengthy magazine article.  Click.  Window closed.  I cannot look into the light long enough to absorb the information being transmitted.  Believe it or not I was a journalism major. So it’s even more shameful that I can’t read an in-depth article.  But I was taught to get the main point or at least the hook in the first paragraph of your article to keep them reading.  Well that hasn’t happened in this post.  So I guess, I’m just the pot calling the kettle black.  “Hey Kettle!  Looking good!”

So right, I can’t browse.  I use my browser for work.  That could be business work, family work, household work, whatevs.  I don’t have to worry about being distracted by Facebook because after a few scrolls, I’d have to click away to stay awake.  Instead, I make use of a great feature of Chrome, it’s called extensions.  Hopefully, you are using them as well.  If not, today is your lucky day. 

If you are like me, and you just want tools to help you browse more efficiently then extensions are for you.  If you are not like me, and you want to have more fun things to do online, then extensions are also for you.  So what are they and how do you get them?

What are they?

Per Google, Chrome Extensions are, “small programs that add new features to your browser and personalize your browsing experience."

For example my favorite extension is Honey.  Honey says, “Oh, I see you are shopping.  Would you like me to enter all possible discount codes for this site before you checkout?”  Um, heck yeah I would.  My newest extension is from Ebates, the site that lets you earn money from the things you are already buying.  Instead of logging into Ebates and looking to see if the store you want is offering an Ebate, just go directly to the store site and the extension will pop up to ask you if you like to activate the savings.  Again, yes please! Amazon also has an extension that lets you see the price of the item on Amazon while you’re shopping at another store’s site. Or you can add a non-Amazon item to your Amazon wishlist.  Me likey.  It sucks to buy something online and then discover there was a coupon code in your email box you overlooked.  These extensions help to avoid that problem.

 

I’ve also got extensions that work with Google applications.  Like one that opens documents from Google Drive in their respective office program (i.e. Google Slides opens in Power Point).  Another allows me to quickly send whatever is on my browser to my Chromecast connected to my TV. Google Hangouts so I can chat with all my lovelies with just the click of a button. Google Keep so I can add whatever is on my screen to my to do list.  And of course my Google Music in case I need a little Lemonade ;-)

I have a few more, but there are a lot less boring ones you could have too.  Would you like to see a beautiful background every time you open a new tab, you can (Earth View extension).  Or you could see cats (Tabby Cats extension).  Your choice.  I’m not judging (but I am).  Or you can watch Netflix online with friends (still trying really hard not to judge … failing).

How do you get it?

Ok back in the judgement free zone it’s so easy to get an extension.  Open Chrome and go here.  Bam!  Browse away, filter by category or search.  Find something interesting and click.  Then chose add to chrome.  Most extensions are free.  I only know about free, because it’s for me.  That’s it you’ve got your extension now.  

You can see it in the upper right hand corner of the Chrome browser window.  You can also view them in the settings menu on the extensions tab.  Here you can enable/disable or delete them.  You can also search for more extensions from the settings/extensions area.

Well, I’ll leave you to your cats then.  Just please don’t drag any of their hair over here.  Thanks.  I have to go not browse.  Talk soon … BMK

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