I have recently started working at an airport and have gotten an aiport badge and all that good stuff. I have also recently gotten a customs badge and not really sure what it entiltes me to. I'm not sure when I go on my international trips if it could some how expedite me through customs. Does anybody know if any benefits I get from this?

It entitles you to display it while you work. Anything else is taking advantage of your job. Why should you get expedited through customs?

Wouldn't this sort of question be better asked of your supervisor or manager at your new job? There are certainly policies about what those badges should and should not be used for.

JR

Since you are asking FTers about benefits, I am assuming the international travel you mention must not be job-related. If that's the case, I don't understand why you think posessing a customs badge would entitle you to any off-duty perks.

I was wondering the same. I was also wondering why the OP is unclear about badge usage. That seems like something that would/should have been covered during job orientation. Surely they didn't just hand the OP two badges with no instructions or explanation?

Badges? We need no stinkin' badges!

I showed this Post to my Spouse, who is a LAPD Official, and she indicated that it "sounds bogus" to her... She says that, based on the statement, there are a number of law enforcement agencies that would "invite" the OP to sit down with them to discuss the issues at hand.

How the OP had "recently gotten a customs badge" is an interesting question, indeed! Also, I've never heard of an "airport badge," only an airport I.D. card w/photo.

http://www.sallyscopshop.com/eStore/...g-sa-large.jpg

Obtaining the badge was me simply filling out papers and sending them into customs. No explantion of what were the rules following the badge were not told, just pretty much handed to me by a customs agent.
To comment on prspad on "I've never heard of an airport badge only an airport ID card w/ photo", I'm talking about the same thing just different lingo.

my sister works for US customs and has a badge. She once held it up while crossing the street drunk in hopes that it would "shield" her from oncoming traffic. It worked that time ... I'm not sure if it would work as well for you

If I hold it up against you will you disappear?

The OP already clarified this somewhat...it's common for those photo ID cards you are thinking of to be called "badges". The OP is not running around with a shiny metal badge that says "US Customs" as I think you imagined, so there's no need to have law enforcement grill him!

Here's my guess as to the 'meaning' of the badge--remember that before you clear customs, you are not considered to be in the United States. The customs area is thus a more secure area than an airport in general (at least as far as who is supposed to come and go). The "badge" is probably needed because only certain airport employees who are deemed to need access to the customs area are allowed in there. If this is correct, it should not allow expedited trips through customs when traveling.