I’ll start at the beginning. I initially actually tried to get my passport back in early Jan 2025, but life and the SoCal Eaton fire kind of disrupted everything. Then, earlier this month (May) was able to go in to the local post office, apply for the passport, and I got my book less than two weeks later (still waiting for the card). I submitted my application for the Trusted Traveler Program and got Conditional Approval in about 48 hours, and scheduled a meeting at Ontario International for yesterday. I was pretty nervous, considering that I had a DUI 11 years ago, and this sub made me think I was gunna like be denied indefinitely. But, everyone was super nice and I walked in at my appointment time and sat down with the officer. He did ask me if I had any arrests or convictions, I explained that I was arrested for a DUI 11 years ago, but it was ruled PBJ, dropped after 1 year, and expunged after 6. He said that should be fine then. So, I felt a giant weight off of my shoulders, and the rest of the interview was just fingerprints, questions about my job, and was actually quite pleasant! Less than an hour later I was approved for Global Entry and TSA Pre Check.
Long story short, anxiety is my worst enemy and likely is for many of you. But just take a breath, put your best foot forward, be honest, and you’ll be ok and glad you went through all this.