lol Both legitimate questions! I have had success in the past, it was just the two most recent times. These two times a bored looking CBP agent was standing nearby and tried to get the machine to read my passport also...no success!

Thinking back on the events maybe I was moving the passport around too much? Although I swear I did place it in the machine and let it sit there for a few seconds before moving it.

I forgot that they did an actual test run at the GE office after the interview...I'll just have to arrange for some extra time at a GE airport soon to try it out!