Will US airports ever have automated border control like most EU airports?
Feb 9, 2016, 11:24 am
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,668
Feb 9, 2016, 11:33 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, AmEx, NorthWest WorldPerks, Jelly of the Month. S&H Green Stamps, Subway sub club
Posts: 1,754
Feb 12, 2016, 7:56 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,108
Not only that, but NZ gates are available to several other nationalities (including US, EU, and some Asian countries IIRC). Indeed, I used them on a US passport even though it meant not getting a stamp in my password 
That said, I suspect the APC and GE kiosks will be the best we see for awhile... CBP likes to look you in the eye...
That said, I suspect the APC and GE kiosks will be the best we see for awhile... CBP likes to look you in the eye...
Feb 13, 2016, 10:43 am
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
First, these are not used in the EU, but in the UK and in Australia and New Zealand. Second, these counties use national identity cards. Third, the USA can not even manage to implement the real id requirements for driver's license. Forth, DHS is too busy pissing away money on future unless AITs.
At this point I would be happier if the airlines used automatic gates for boarding so to keep the gate lice at bay.
That said, welcome to FT.
At this point I would be happier if the airlines used automatic gates for boarding so to keep the gate lice at bay.
That said, welcome to FT.
The U.K. doesn't have national ID cards good for international travel. Finland has national ID cards good for international travel within the EU and some other countries; and Finland has automated passport control machines too.
Feb 13, 2016, 10:56 am
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Despite the false premise in the OP and the over-charged political commentary (we've got OMNI for that), the US does have and has had for quite some time, the functional equivalent of an automated system for those who want to submit to the additional background requirements of Global Entry. That system is now available to some citizens of other countries, including the UK.
For the vast majority of GE users, the sole human contact is handing a slip of paper to a CBP Officer on the way out of the FIS. That contact could, of course be eliminated in favor of a gate with a scanner, but there is said to be some value in having a quick human interface and it, after all, doesn't slow down the process for the vast majority of travelers.
While there is a random chance of an inspection, there is that too in all of the automated systems in other countries.
The US has also implemented Automated Passport Control at many entry points and those are useable by returning USN's and by many nationals of other countries, including those on ESTA's which have been previously been accessed (some suggest they have had success on new ESTA's).
As others note, the US does not have national identity cards by design.
So, not really sure what OP is asking.
For the vast majority of GE users, the sole human contact is handing a slip of paper to a CBP Officer on the way out of the FIS. That contact could, of course be eliminated in favor of a gate with a scanner, but there is said to be some value in having a quick human interface and it, after all, doesn't slow down the process for the vast majority of travelers.
While there is a random chance of an inspection, there is that too in all of the automated systems in other countries.
The US has also implemented Automated Passport Control at many entry points and those are useable by returning USN's and by many nationals of other countries, including those on ESTA's which have been previously been accessed (some suggest they have had success on new ESTA's).
As others note, the US does not have national identity cards by design.
So, not really sure what OP is asking.
Feb 13, 2016, 11:15 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,320
The U.K. is in the EU, and other EU countries also have automated passport control applicable to at least some EU citizens.
The U.K. doesn't have national ID cards good for international travel. Finland has national ID cards good for international travel within the EU and some other countries; and Finland has automated passport control machines too.
The U.K. doesn't have national ID cards good for international travel. Finland has national ID cards good for international travel within the EU and some other countries; and Finland has automated passport control machines too.
Feb 14, 2016, 2:51 am
#24
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
The US has also implemented Automated Passport Control at many entry points and those are useable by returning USN's and by many nationals of other countries, including those on ESTA's which have been previously been accessed (some suggest they have had success on new ESTA's).
Feb 14, 2016, 5:04 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Thailand, Phuket
Programs: Emirates, Thai, TK
Posts: 441
First, these are not used in the EU, but in the UK and in Australia and New Zealand. Second, these counties use national identity cards. Third, the USA can not even manage to implement the real id requirements for driver's license. Forth, DHS is too busy pissing away money on future unless AITs.
At this point I would be happier if the airlines used automatic gates for boarding so to keep the gate lice at bay.
That said, welcome to FT.
At this point I would be happier if the airlines used automatic gates for boarding so to keep the gate lice at bay.
That said, welcome to FT.
Feb 19, 2016, 1:23 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: UK
Programs: Aadvantage Gold
Posts: 549
The U.K. is in the EU, and other EU countries also have automated passport control applicable to at least some EU citizens.
The U.K. doesn't have national ID cards good for international travel. Finland has national ID cards good for international travel within the EU and some other countries; and Finland has automated passport control machines too.
The U.K. doesn't have national ID cards good for international travel. Finland has national ID cards good for international travel within the EU and some other countries; and Finland has automated passport control machines too.