Is Global Entry worthwhile?
#346
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
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I had my interview last week at IAD. Went fine but I was a little bothered the agent commented about my income. He could see my tax returns and I thought commenting on them was inappropriate. I guess one agent now is worth the hassle of future CBP agents at future entries though.
I had my interview last week at IAD. Went fine but I was a little bothered the agent commented about my income. He could see my tax returns and I thought commenting on them was inappropriate. I guess one agent now is worth the hassle of future CBP agents at future entries though.
#347
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Pretty sure ssn was on the application, but even if it wasn't they could easily get it via your passport which you do key in.
#348
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
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His sheet of paper showed about 40 different database queries and the results. Included Interpol and UK among others. Clearly IRS is another data source - its insane to think they wouldn't cross-reference that as well.
His sheet of paper showed about 40 different database queries and the results. Included Interpol and UK among others. Clearly IRS is another data source - its insane to think they wouldn't cross-reference that as well.
#349
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His sheet of paper showed about 40 different database queries and the results. Included Interpol and UK among others. Clearly IRS is another data source - its insane to think they wouldn't cross-reference that as well.
His sheet of paper showed about 40 different database queries and the results. Included Interpol and UK among others. Clearly IRS is another data source - its insane to think they wouldn't cross-reference that as well.
#350
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
The fact that this information is printed out is a concern ... I would've asked where the shredder was located as that's an awful lot of private/identifying information in one place so how is it being handled. I wouldn't be surprised if the policy for the airports folks doing the interviews was supposed to be a paperless one. My interview involved reading off a screen and comparing to that data - no printouts anywhere other than the appt list.
#351
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,296
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His sheet of paper showed about 40 different database queries and the results. Included Interpol and UK among others. Clearly IRS is another data source - its insane to think they wouldn't cross-reference that as well.
His sheet of paper showed about 40 different database queries and the results. Included Interpol and UK among others. Clearly IRS is another data source - its insane to think they wouldn't cross-reference that as well.
#352
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cambridge, MA
Programs: AA EXP, UA1k, AmEx Plat, Global Entry & Pre✓
Posts: 852
Can someone tell me what goes on at the interview? What should I expect?
Finally, and pardon the ignorance, at IAD and BOS, the GOES kiosks are located in all terminals which have international flights, right? I don't know the terminals that well, so could it be a crap shoot?
Finally, and pardon the ignorance, at IAD and BOS, the GOES kiosks are located in all terminals which have international flights, right? I don't know the terminals that well, so could it be a crap shoot?
#353
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Can someone tell me what goes on at the interview? What should I expect?
Finally, and pardon the ignorance, at IAD and BOS, the GOES kiosks are located in all terminals which have international flights, right? I don't know the terminals that well, so could it be a crap shoot?
Finally, and pardon the ignorance, at IAD and BOS, the GOES kiosks are located in all terminals which have international flights, right? I don't know the terminals that well, so could it be a crap shoot?
When I got conditional approval, the email asked me to set up an appointment, on the appointment confirmation an exact description of where to go is noted. At the end of the "interview", the agent noted it took 10 minutes (which he thought was fast in light of the slowness of his terminal. [JFK has lots of terminals, CBP for Global Entry was in terminal 4.]
PS: The documentation states that you should bring proof of where you physically reside (rent receipt, water bill etc.) I brought a rent receipt but it was not looked at.
#354
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,296
For the actual "interview", the agent swipes your passport through a scanner, to log you into the database, takes your picture, and several sets of fingerprints--4 LH, 4 RH plus two thumb prints. You do a test run on a demo terminal. A CBP sticker is placed on pp. Besides minor conversation, there really is NO interview.
When I got conditional approval, the email asked me to set up an appointment, on the appointment confirmation an exact description of where to go is noted. At the end of the "interview", the agent noted it took 10 minutes (which he thought was fast in light of the slowness of his terminal. [JFK has lots of terminals, CBP for Global Entry was in terminal 4.]
PS: The documentation states that you should bring proof of where you physically reside (rent receipt, water bill etc.) I brought a rent receipt but it was not looked at.
When I got conditional approval, the email asked me to set up an appointment, on the appointment confirmation an exact description of where to go is noted. At the end of the "interview", the agent noted it took 10 minutes (which he thought was fast in light of the slowness of his terminal. [JFK has lots of terminals, CBP for Global Entry was in terminal 4.]
PS: The documentation states that you should bring proof of where you physically reside (rent receipt, water bill etc.) I brought a rent receipt but it was not looked at.
My "questioning" was mostly conversational (what I do, how I afford to travel a lot as a student [I'm a former airline employee], etc.) with the only "real" questions having to do with why my drivers license was out-of-state and why I had been to one particular Middle Eastern country for a weekend two years ago.
#355
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,296
IAD Global Entry location
By the way, the Global Entry website lists an off-site location in Sterling, VA as the Dulles enrollment center. Upon signing up for the interview, however, you learn that the center is indeed at Dulles Airport.
#356
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,775
Finally got around using it the first time at SFO. 2 kiosks, saw 1 person just walking away when I came. No line at all, done in about 2 minutes on the kiosk. Had only carry on but had to wait around 5 minutes in line to get out of the customs area.
Adding up all including walking it took me around 15 minutes from leaving the plane to a shower in the arrivals lounge.
Very nice and definitely worth the money.
Adding up all including walking it took me around 15 minutes from leaving the plane to a shower in the arrivals lounge.
Very nice and definitely worth the money.
#357
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Coconut Grove & Punta del Este
Programs: AA EXP 3.3MM; GE & IRIS
Posts: 381
Had only carry on but had to wait around 5 minutes in line to get out of the customs area.
I thought we got to go the the head of the customs line by showing the receipt and passport with the CBP sticker.
I thought we got to go the the head of the customs line by showing the receipt and passport with the CBP sticker.
#358
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Laguna Beach CA
Programs: AA EXP/4MM UA 1MM, HY Global, Bon Lft Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 720
Depends on the airport, but many now have a separate line for Global Entry that feeds from the side to the front of the Customs exit with signage. Lacking any special line, I've normally found that showing the receipt will normally move you to the front.
Again, some airports may still be coming up to speed as even those with the system in place from the beginning have officers who are unaware.
Again, some airports may still be coming up to speed as even those with the system in place from the beginning have officers who are unaware.
#359
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,775
Except being really rude and pushing my way through there was not way to cut to the front of the line.
#360
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
I was going to ask about this. I have to transit thru IAD for my international connections and sometimes my flight arrives so that I only have time to get to my next gate. I'm concerned about the timing and might take an earlier flight with a 4-5 hour layover (ugh!). Where is the enrollment center located?