Expedited Immigration / Customs in ATL for US Citizens
Dec 13, 2011, 10:13 am
#1
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Expedited Immigration / Customs in ATL for US Citizens
It looks like Delta has a new program in ATL for US citizens traveling without checked luggage. Yesterday (arriving from LHR) was the first time I saw it.
As you exit the plane, you get a laminated card, and can use the "Crew" lane at immigration and the "Global Entry" lane at customs. I am using Global Entry myself, so I didn't participate. The availability of the card was announced as the door opened. The announcement wasn't very well done, and I doubt many passengers understood it given that the everybody was busy getting their carry on. In the jet way, they had two people handing out the cards, and you turned it in to a person that guarded the global entry customs lane. No sky mile status required.
Overall lines in ATL were about average at the time. Global entry was still a bit faster as there was a short line in the crew lane (maybe 10 people)
I didn't see any Diamond Medallion greeters that some people mentioned before.
As you exit the plane, you get a laminated card, and can use the "Crew" lane at immigration and the "Global Entry" lane at customs. I am using Global Entry myself, so I didn't participate. The availability of the card was announced as the door opened. The announcement wasn't very well done, and I doubt many passengers understood it given that the everybody was busy getting their carry on. In the jet way, they had two people handing out the cards, and you turned it in to a person that guarded the global entry customs lane. No sky mile status required.
Overall lines in ATL were about average at the time. Global entry was still a bit faster as there was a short line in the crew lane (maybe 10 people)
I didn't see any Diamond Medallion greeters that some people mentioned before.
Dec 13, 2011, 10:25 am
#2
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They should not be giving every entering US citizen access to the GE lines. This is horrible for people who have paid for GE. I could perhaps see doing this for those seated in BE who are not non revs or for DMs and maybe PMs, but everyone who takes the card?????
Dec 13, 2011, 10:34 am
#3
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Perhaps there is an arrangement for DL Business Class passengers to use the crew lane, but unless one is enrolled in Global Entry, using the kiosk will do you no good, as you must be registered to be recognized.
It does seem odd to me that DHS would agree to an arrangement that gives priority for entry to one group of passengers through the crew lane.
It does seem odd to me that DHS would agree to an arrangement that gives priority for entry to one group of passengers through the crew lane.
Dec 13, 2011, 12:12 pm
#4
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More reason to avoid ATL if at all possible.
Dec 13, 2011, 12:37 pm
#6
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Originally Posted by 98103:17618724
Perhaps there is an arrangement for DL Business Class passengers to use the crew lane, but unless one is enrolled in Global Entry, using the kiosk will do you no good, as you must be registered to be recognized.
Dec 13, 2011, 12:39 pm
#7
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When I came into ATL from MTY on Friday, I noticed a large group of pax being directed toward the crew lane. 2 or 3 "greeters" with orange (I think) maybe green, construction type vests were telling anyone with a laminated card to go there. The cards, from what I could see from a distance, looked orange or maroon in color. The pax mostly looked like vacationing once-a-year (kettle) types, so I would certainly think that most of them had luggage. Maybe this is some OTHER program.
Dec 13, 2011, 2:40 pm
#8
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just to clarify: This does not provide access to the Global Entry kiosk, just to the crew line which tends to be shorter then the normal line. Global Entry was still faster. Also, this was not linked to being a Business Elite or Medallion passenger. Kettle Class in Row 95 could us it. The only requirement was "US Citizen + no checked bags".
I assume that the "no checked bags" rule limits the number of passengers on an international arrival. Also, if you have a checked bag, you probably would still have to wait for your bag after a normal immigration inspection.
I assume that the "no checked bags" rule limits the number of passengers on an international arrival. Also, if you have a checked bag, you probably would still have to wait for your bag after a normal immigration inspection.
Dec 13, 2011, 2:43 pm
#9
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Dec 13, 2011, 2:43 pm
#10
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just to clarify: This does not provide access to the Global Entry kiosk, just to the crew line which tends to be shorter then the normal line. Global Entry was still faster. Also, this was not linked to being a Business Elite or Medallion passenger. Kettle Class in Row 95 could us it. The only requirement was "US Citizen + no checked bags".
Dec 13, 2011, 3:28 pm
#11
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Dec 13, 2011, 5:39 pm
#13
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Dec 13, 2011, 5:54 pm
#14
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What's ironic is those of us who have GE, get to sail through immigration and then--if we have checked bags--just get to wait longer at baggage claim for our bags to arrive...
Dec 13, 2011, 5:58 pm
#15
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Exactly and is one of the main reasons I would not have gotten GE except that AX reimbursed my fee.