Originally Posted by
Yoshi212
I was failed during my first interview because the CBP Officer didn't like my attitude towards TSA security. I appealed and was again conditionally approved. During my second interview it was completely different. I kept my opinions to myself. Answered questions directly. I treated it like I was being cross examined in court and giving them the least amount of info to lead into other questions. I was approved in all of 10 minutes.
Not saying to put yourself back in the closet but if you do get a second interview I'd not mention the partner unless asked directly again. You may have had a differently minded interviewer or maybe there was another reason you were failed. But do appeal, it's so worth it when you get to skip the lines.
I was told today that there are no appeals. Do you mean take it to the Ombudsman? Your experience seems to be an outlier; others indicate that when they hear back from the Ombudsman's office after months, it's always just a form letter.
And let me reiterate that I didn't say anything remotely controversial in the interview. I even thought that, despite his tough questioning, we had a nice rapport. I complimented him on his Rolex (!), which he seemed to appreciate.
The most puzzling part of the entire process was the call I got from my interviewer after I'd left the airport, asking my partner's full name so he could "flag his application." Even then I couldn't imagine what he meant by it, but now I'm wondering if he meant so he could flag it for extra scrutiny and/or denial.
If they deny Global Entry to a patriotic returned Peace Corps volunteer/former Peace Corps employee/Episcopal priest, we'll know something's seriously askew.