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I used to think the only way to skip passport control lines was to be a citizen or have fast-track access. But it turns out there are a few more ways to move like a VIP and save hours of waiting:

1. The right passport + Global Entry = fast entry into the U.S.

If you’ve ever landed in the U.S., you know the dreaded immigration lines. But there’s a hack: Global Entry — a program for “trusted travelers.” You register your passport, pass a background check once, and after that, no more lines — just head to the kiosk.

Eligible passports: Argentina, India, Colombia, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, UK, Brazil, Taiwan, Croatia, +Mexico, +Canada.

Bonus: expedited TSA screening on domestic U.S. flights.

2. eGates in Italy

Major Italian airports (Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, and others) offer automated eGates for passport control. Eligible travelers include citizens of: the U.S., EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, South Korea, Japan, Israel, UAE, Taiwan, New Zealand, Singapore.

Tourists queue up, but you’re already sipping your cappuccino at the café. Available for travelers aged 12+.

3. France & PARAFE gates

Paris, Nice, and Lyon airports have PARAFE gates. Scan your passport, look at the camera — and you’re through.

Eligible travelers: citizens of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, UK, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, USA.

You need a biometric passport and must be 18+.

4. APEC Business Travel Card — business-class lanes without the ticket

Frequent traveler in Asia? This is a game changer.

The APEC Business Travel Card gives entrepreneurs from APEC countries:

— Visa-free entry to 19 countries
— My favorite perk: access to diplomatic/fast lanes at border control. Personally tested — it’s a joy.

You can get this card even with a Russian passport — valid for 5 years. A huge time-saver if you travel around Asia and Australia.

Bottom line: more documents = shorter lines

Чем больше у тебя паспортов, видов на жительство и правильных карт — тем короче твои очереди. Путешествие — это не только куда, но и как 😎

How AI Is Reshaping the Way We Think

I recently stumbled upon a fascinating study on generative AI. It looked at how tools like ChatGPT are impacting the critical thinking of people who rely on their brains for a living.

The findings? A mix of inspiration and concern.

Here’s what stood out:

1. Blind trust in AI shuts down your brain

Люди, которые на 100% уверены в ответах ИИ, почти не проверяют их. Просто берут и копируют. А это уже скользкий путь к отключенному мозгу.

2. Confident thinkers keep their critical edge

People who don’t feel intellectually inferior to AI tend to treat it like an assistant, not a boss. They double-check, clarify, and edit.

3. AI shifts how we think — from creation to correction

We used to search for information ourselves. Now, we verify what the AI suggests. It’s less about generating ideas, more about reviewing them.

4. Fatigue, pressure, and laziness kill critical thinking

When deadlines loom, there’s often neither time nor energy to question AI. And if you’re not an expert in the topic, spotting AI’s mistakes becomes tricky.

5. The real danger: going into autopilot mode

Relying too heavily on AI for repetitive tasks can gradually erode your ability to think independently.

The bottom line: AI is a tool, not a substitute for thinking

Used wisely, AI is an incredible assistant. But if you follow it blindly, you risk losing your critical thinking muscle.

How do you use AI?