ESTA Travelers now using APC kiosks at ORD
May 6, 2014, 2:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 852
ESTA Travelers now using APC kiosks at ORD
I figured this would deserve it own thread.
This officially started on 02MAY without fanfare. Yes, there's some kinks still being worked out (basically languages being added) but overall so far so good.
There's additional staff being placed to help look over passports to make sure people are put into the proper lines. Yes, there has been and probably will be some mistakes, but this is a big step forward in quicker processing times before high travel season kicks in.
This officially started on 02MAY without fanfare. Yes, there's some kinks still being worked out (basically languages being added) but overall so far so good.
There's additional staff being placed to help look over passports to make sure people are put into the proper lines. Yes, there has been and probably will be some mistakes, but this is a big step forward in quicker processing times before high travel season kicks in.
May 14, 2014, 8:06 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BA, UA, Marriot
Posts: 2,196
^ This is excellent news. I avoided arriving internationally at ORD on my last trip as I was potentially arriving at a peak time. This would definitely make me reconsider that for next time.
May 14, 2014, 9:14 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 852
Additionally, there's a meeting this week to see what's going to be done with the additional 32 kiosks.
May 16, 2014, 2:02 am
#6
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
Came into ORD yesterday and it was the first time I as a US citizen had to wait for an APC kiosk to be available there. It was only a wait of a handful of minutes and given my declaration for the travel party, got an X. Had no wait for CBP officer -- got a very friendly gentleman -- and spent more time waiting for bags to get on the baggage claim than anything else.
The flight crew was handing out CBP declaration forms, but, as usual for ORD arrivals, I no longer fill them out when I'm using the APC kiosks and have to declare foodstuff I want vetted.
The flight crew was handing out CBP declaration forms, but, as usual for ORD arrivals, I no longer fill them out when I'm using the APC kiosks and have to declare foodstuff I want vetted.
Jun 7, 2014, 12:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 66
So my experience coming through ORD on Friday was that passengers were being separated into two lines - those who require a visa or first time ESTA users; and US/Canadian citizens or repeat ESTA. As a family of 6 (5 US citizens, one ESTA we took the second route). Most people in this line were directed to the APC kiosks but we (because we had kids?) were pulled out of the line and sent straight to one of the lines that form in front of each booth. Fortunately I had filled out a Customs form already so used that (rather than APC).
Although it was very busy (2pm on a Friday) everything seemed to move pretty quickly.
Although it was very busy (2pm on a Friday) everything seemed to move pretty quickly.
Jul 16, 2014, 8:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: AAdvantage, EB
Posts: 14
I used the kiosks as a repeat ESTA user a couple of weeks ago, around 4pm. It was very smooth, just waited for a kiosk a a few minutes and answered the questions. Took the receipt to an officer and answered his questions. Was in baggage claim just as my suitcase was coming on the belt. I was on my way to my connecting flight in about 20 minutes. Very nice compared to the previous, almost 90min.
Thank you, CBP!
Thank you, CBP!
Jul 23, 2014, 7:03 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 852
We're starting to see more complaints about luggage delivery times than arriving passengers waiting in line to clear immigration.
Jul 23, 2014, 7:42 am
#13
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,106
Forced in the sense that I can see it beeing rather frustrating being a permanent resident and seeing people visiting be invited through the fast procedure while not being allowed through there yourself. This is effectively prioritizing certain visitors over permanent residents.
Jul 28, 2014, 12:53 am
#14
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
I used the kiosks as a repeat ESTA user a couple of weeks ago, around 4pm. It was very smooth, just waited for a kiosk a a few minutes and answered the questions. Took the receipt to an officer and answered his questions. Was in baggage claim just as my suitcase was coming on the belt. I was on my way to my connecting flight in about 20 minutes. Very nice compared to the previous, almost 90min.
Thank you, CBP!
Thank you, CBP!
Aug 5, 2014, 4:36 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 852
Another 18 APC kiosks will be installed Oct-Dec '14 and then another 18 installed Jan-Mar '15 in addition to what is currently in place.