Dublin High School Graduate Creates Website To Help Travelers

DUBLIN, CA - Anyone who’s ever tried to apply for the Trusted Traveler Program, a Department of Homeland Security initiative that allows pre-screened travelers to go through an expedited process at airports, knows that it’s not exactly an easy process. Appointments are often booked years in advance, especially at busy airports like SFO. For a long time, there was no way to find out if a slot had opened up, usually for just a few seconds.

Until now. Elisha McDuffie, who just graduated from Dublin High School, created a website called TTP Appointments, which uses email and text notifications to create customized alerts for anyone interested in booking appointments to become a member of TTP’s GlobalEntry, SENTRI, and NEXUS programs.

McDuffie created the site after his mother tried but failed to get her own appointment. He created a one-time-use program, and his mother received the notification she needed that a slot had opened up.

“At that point, I figured if it worked for my mom, I might as well make it public,” he told Patch in an interview.

McDuffie’s website continually checks the Department of Homeland Security’s website for open appointments at a specified enrollment center and time frame. A paid option costing $24.99 also sends text notifications, and scans more enrollment centers within an expanded time frame.

McDuffie said the site has around 360 users as of June, about half of whom subscribe to the paid plan. He plans to launch a mobile application version this summer. He’s also working on a similar project, Magic Dining Orders, to let people know when reservations at restaurants at Disney World and Disneyland become available.

For more information, visit ttpappointments.com.