Originally Posted by
OnAMileHigh
My first attempt to use Global Entry yesterday at LAX was a huge disappointment. The kiosk worked fine until i received the big black X on my receipt. I was then escorted to a waiting area where I sat for 20 minutes.
When a CBP agent finally arrived I got the full on bag inspection. Everything was removed and searched. The CBP agent asked "how many times have you been arrested" ummm like none. I would not have GE if I had an arrest record. The agent then proceeded to comment on my medications. He mockingly said "you take a lot of medications" duh. I have a medical condition that requires daily medications to control. I thought the agent's comments and tone were highly unprofessional and inappropriate. Finally, the agent finished his inspection and then had me sit in a holding area while he went to discuss "my case" with his supervisor.
Finally the agent returned and said "we will let let you go this time, now get out of here".
.... I Thought GE was going make my life easier not subject me to more CBP BS.
The one time (out of 9 trips) I got the big "X", I was also escorted to a special room (JFK, T8); but was out in about 5 minutes--the agent guessed it had something to do with fingerprints. [Instead of being cleared by the first available agent.] I was not subjected to any customs agent searches.
I did receive an email from GE asking me to describe my incident--you may also get an email. I never got to the point where I had to verify (on the GE terminal) the flight on which I arrived, it spit out the slip with the "X" early in the verification process; how far did you get when the "X" slip appeared?
PS: When I went for my GE interview, the agent noted that "X" can occur for "unexplained" reasons, and that I should always have a customs slip filled out just in case.