globalfreedom

For those not familiar with these, they work using e-gates (electronic gates) that scan your biometric passport, check the database for any criminal records, confirm that the person standing in front matches the passport image and allows them in. quick and painless. ^

http://www.futuretravelexperience.co...n-vs-security/

This is different from the US current GE system where people have to be preapproved and I believe if I'm not wrong still talk to an officer. And some officers can be rude so after a long flight its best just to come in and go.

IMO these things machines are in fact safer because they do checks as opposed to officers who don't seem to verify (In Europe that is!) if someone is a criminal or not at the airport

Do you think that will happen or is that a dream that would never happen in the US?

JY1024

Moving this over to the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum for further discussion. Thanks. /JY1024, TravelBuzz co-moderator

LtKernelPanic

Never going to happen because you know "OMG terrarists!"

FlyingUnderTheRadar

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.

CKDGM

Despite the efforts of some political parties, the UK is still a member of the EU.

I have used the biometric gates at LHR and DUB; I haven't entered the Schengen area in a while, but I believe AMS and FRA as well as other airports are also using similar technology.

On the US side, the APC kiosks are somewhat more minimal; they scan the passport and take your customs declaration but you still need to give the receipt to a CBP officer on the way out. (The same applies to Global Entry, though there the line is at least shorter.)

Reds2011

Not sure about the UK & New Zealand, but Australia doesn't have a national identity card. I'd still be doubtful if the US would ever introduce it in the near future though.

redadeco

They're used in CDG and MAD as well.

Probability of seeing this sort of border control in the US = 0.
Reasons are obvious, it's a police state.

aidy

us to have the APC which reduces the ques, similar to the UK, this is as well as GE

Skatering

They're also used at FCO. The guy operating the gates appeared completely checked out of the whole thing as both doors were opening simultaneously. Anybody with any EU passport, irrespective of whether it was yours, could've got through the e-gates that day.

DaveBlaine

Welcome to FlyerTalk.

As to your question.....my answer is "it's a solid maybe".

Alex71

I've used these in FRA, but only to exit Schengen. Not sure if they are offered to enter Schengen as well.

Fireflyer05

Germany is also still in the EU, and we have easyPass (which, at least for German citizens, is only a 1 step process, instead of 2 like in the Australian video).

Kiwi Flyer

NZ also does not have a national identity card.

Departure smartgate is now a 1 step process at AKL. Not sure if the other airports and arrivals smartgate will also switch to 1 step process.

chollie

The only way the US will ever have automated border control is if some politically connected business figures a way to make $$$ off the process. It will still come with a large complement of uniformed people standing around. One-on-one, automation still doesn't threaten and intimidate the way people can.

DaveBlaine

Someone has never watched a Robocop movie...